TE ORANGA HOME ENQUIRY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9041, 6 March 1908, Page 5

TE ORANGA HOME ENQUIRY.

By Telegraph—Press Association '. CHRISTCHURCH. March 5. The Te Oranga Home enquiry was continued to-day.

Evidence was given by several girls and two ex-inmates as to the punishment inflicted . for absconding and various breaches of rules, their statements being mainly in corroboration of the evidence of the previous witnesses. The most important evidence was given by Miss Harrison, who is a teacher at the Home. She stated that the matron had no sympathy with the work of the school, and kept the girls away on the slightest pretext. The girls who attended the afternoon school were frequently tired out with the morning's work. Witness stated that the school was subject to standard examinations, but the Assistant Inspector-General, Dr. Anderson, had instructed her not to carry the instructions beyond the fourth standard. She stated that she had not discussed any of these'matters with the visiting officers of the Department. Mr Pope, representing the Department, said he had no knowledge of any limitation as described by the witness. The Inspector-General wa3 now considering a scheme to make provision for the special needs of the inmatos of such institutions.

Before giving her evidence Miss Harrison inquired whether it was the custom of the Education Department to dismiss officers without explanation, as she had heard that Miss Hovvden, a former attsndant, had been dismissed on a secret report. Mr Pope replied that he would answer that question when giving evidence.