A HORRIBLE AFFAIR.

Thames Star, Volume VIIi, Issue 2825, 5 March 1878, Page 3

A HORRIBLE AFFAIR.

We (Vanity Fair) are informed that the most,horrible discoveries have been made in the Jamacia Reformatory for Native boys, which is situated on a hill about nine miles from Kensington. Some time ago, under the governorship of Sir William Grey, a Baptist clergyman was appointed superintendent of the reformatory, with a salary of ,£400.a year, besides a house and other requisites. But those appeared not sufficient for the reverend gentleman, who applied the food allotted for the 400 boys under his charge to fattening pigs for the market. Meanwhile the little wretches were starved, and growing desperate—they actually fought with the pigs for the food thrown to them. The miserable creatures were neglected in every possible-way. A nasty insect, called a tick, well known to every traveller in the tropics, burrowed into their feet, and, as the doctor had to look after bis private patients, the wounda, which if examined in time, would have- been trifling, became so serious that amputation of toes or feet was necessary in no less than eighty cases. Starved and neglected, the boys became unruly. The offenders were then shackled in pairs and confined in their cells, where some were forgotten for three days, and left without food or drink. All this at last came to light by mere accident. The boys were entrusted with knives to cut down some guinea grass outside, in charge of one warder only, and they naturally used their liberty to satisfy the cravings of hunger by plundering tho neighboring gardens. The owners did not dare to interfere, but reported the matter to the governor. This led to investigation and reform, and we understand that Lord Carnarvon has in a strongly-worded 1 despatch denounced this horrible affair as J a disgrace to the whole Government.