TE ORANGA HOME.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 72, 14 March 1908, Page 2

TE ORANGA HOME.

Per Press Association. Christchurch, Last Niglil, Further evidence iu connection with the Te Oranga Home enquiry was heard to-day. The principal witness was Air. William Reese, who was appointed to the position of olliciai visitor in 11)05. He very strongly urged the necessity for a more extensive system of classification. He proposed that all girls when first entering the Home should bo put in a middle classed, and subsequently dropped to the lowest according to good or bad behaviour. The girls affected with certain diseases should not be admitted to the Home until they were fit to be classified. He suggested that the indeterminate sentence system should be applied to sexual degenerates instead of the State relinquishing control when such a girl reached the age of 21. As to tlie general management of the Home, he spoke iu high terms of the matron and the staff. The lot of the inmates appeared to be happy and contented. Dr. Symes. formerly medical officer, also supported more extensive classification, with special provision elsewhere for sexual degenerates who came of age while inmates of the Home. He suggested the substitution of reguatcd task labor, such as prevailed in female penitentiaries at Home, for physical punishment, and he opposed long confinement in cells as prejudicial to health. He considered hair-cutting harm' less, and an excellent means of checking absconding. The Rev, Inwood, Anglican minister, and several members "of the Home staff, gave evidence in favor of the present management.