VICTORIA.

West Coast Times, Issue 180, 17 April 1866, Page 2

VICTORIA.

FRIGHTFUL IMMORALITY AT THE ' INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS. (From the Melbourne Age.) We had hoped that our last inquiry into the discipline and management of the Industrial Schools, particulary that at Sunbury, would have resulted in some considerable improvement. A board of inspection was appointed to keep the subordinate officials in check, and reports were promised to Parliament of their periodical investigations. The board reported that things were bad, but not so bad as painted, and that somebody was to blame, but they could not exactly say who. Mr Duncan hassince replaced Mr Harcourt, and yet the board still exists, and we presume still reports upon tho condition of the Industrial Schools. Since Mr Duncan's appointment two ovents have transpired, which have led to the suspension of the superintendent of the Sunbury school and the superintendent of the Prince's Bridge school. The former, Mr Weekes, was suspended, owing to a disinclination to pay proper deference to Mr Duncan's authority; but the offence charged against Mr Connor is of a more serious character. He occupied until very recently, the position o schoolmaster, and his wife that of matron, at the Prince's Bridge establishment. The position of schoolmaster was a nominal one, Mr Harcourt reposing such confidence in him as to entrust him with the duties of superintendent ; and on Mr Harcourt's resignation, he was formally nominated to tho office. His appointment has beon the precursor of some charges being made against him. It is alleged that he has carnally abused soveral girls in tho institution, and that to others he has conducted himself in a very disgusting manner. Tho charges were so specifically made, and reiterated so persistently, that Mr Duncan was communicated with, and an inquiry instituted. The evidence taken accuses Mr Connor with* being ill tht habit of visiting tho girls' ward at night, whilst they were in bed, and putting hip hands beneath the bedclothes, and indecently exposing his person. This practice is said to havo been continued for a long time. The mother of one of the girbwas present during the examination, and suggested the propriety of sending for a doctor to ascertain whether her daughter had been violated, but this was not considered necessary. The statement of several girls, and the evidence of witnesses in corroboration wero taken by Mr Duncan and Mr Connor has been suspended until further enquiry has heen made. In our report of the Sunbury Industrial Schools we drew attention to rumors of j3uch conduct as is now charged against Mr Connor when we alluded to the existence of a skeleton in the closet of the Melbourne institution, which would require all the ' wits of the commission to discover. Some of the boys at the Sunbury school •stated that it was no uncommon thing for Mr Connor to kiss and hug the girls at Prince's Bridge, and a report to that effect was circulated by Mr Harcourt's son, but subsequently denied by him. At a later period, and since our inquiry, a complaint was made to Mr Harcourt by one of the wardsmen that Mr Connor had kissed some girls in the dining room in the presence of a number of boyß and girls, and had been guilty of similar impropriety in one of the girls' wards. An inquiry was instituted and the offence proved, and Mr Connor punished by a reprimand, but the troublesome wardsman* at a convenient opportunity was got rid of. There is sufficient evidence that the superintendent's conduot has been characterised by an openness that speaks volumes for the degradation of the institution. We cannot disgrace our columns with a tithe of the evidence which has been produced, which not only implicates Mr Connor, but conveys very serious imputations against the wardswomen who havo been cognisant of his conduct. The authority he possessed and tho favor in which he stood with Mr Harcourt, is assigned as a reason why those disgusting practices woro not sooner made knovpn, and wjth ><s -

some show of reason when it is known that Mr Connor hadTirtuaUy the power of dismissal, and in one notable instance exercised it, because a complaint had been preferred against him. Sufficient time has not elapsed since the discovery was made, for the Government to take action. Mr Duucan's report will be submitted " pro forma," but we understand Mr M'Cullocli lias been privately made aware of its nature. Mr Connor, though suspended, resides with his wife aud family on tho premises ; and, for aught •we know to tho contrary, has still access to the wards. One^ of his daughters occupies the position of schoolmistress, and his son acts in some other capaoity in the institution. On visiting it, yesterday evening, we ascertained that there had been a disturbance in one of the girls' wards, arising out of the charge preferred against Mr Connor. To our surprise, we found that no steps had.been taken to place the girls who had preferred the complaint against him in a position where they were not likely to be subjected to improper influence, but, on the contrary, tue disturbance in the ward referred to had arisen from tho contempt manifested by tho girls generally to those who had given tho information which led to Mr Connor's suspension. It was viewed by the majority of the girls as a heinous offence, and nothing short of the arrest of some of them, and the threat of sending them for tho night to the cells could curb the insubordina* t(ion. It would have been preferable had the girls been placed in a position where there was little likelihood of their being tampered with. Perhaps a sufficient precaution had been taken in collecting evidence, but it is evident that the feeling in the establishment is adverse to the action taken by the girls, and may probably defeat the ends of justice. It would be well for the institution were the rumors of another heinous offence inquired into. It is openly stated that a crime of a most horrible character is frequent, and that boys have been sent to the hospital for treatment in consequence. We are aware that the medical staff deny this, and we consider their purpose to some extent praiseworthy. But an unplea* sant feeling pervades the community, and there are at least good grounds for a rigid investigation, and for some pre* ventive measures being adopted.

The Princo of Wales keeps up tho character of an English country gentleman right royally at Saudnngham. On Thursday week, the first meet of the West Norfolk Hunt took place at tho royal residence, and all comers on horseback, and thoy numbered about 600 •were made welcome to the hospitality of his Royal Highness.