THE BURNHAM SCHOOL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1570, 29 December 1883, Page 2

THE BURNHAM SCHOOL.

[FROM THE " I'UEJS."]

! A telegram dated Wellington, December Bth, appeared in the papers here of December 10th, in which it wag alleged that some children, named Neilson were returned to their parents from the Burnham Industrial School in a filthy condition, though, as was alleged, they were sent to the school clean and healthy, In order, so far as was possible by an independent investigation of the state of the school, to test the truth or otherwise of this statement, a representative of' this journal paid a visit to Burnhani yesterday. No notice having been given of the intention to do so, the visit was entirely unexpected, and the children were therefore seen not. in show attire, but simply as they are in eyery-day life, On arriving at the school, a visit was paid to the various working parties of boys, Some were engaged in constructing concrete baths, part of <the : improvements in course of being carried out by Mr Carson, the present master, to which reference will be made briefly later on as bearing I upon the subject of investigation. Others were at work in the carpenters' shops, some out in .the fields, and the remainder.tit' school. In every case the boys looked neat, healthy, and olean. There was no appearance whatever of disease amongst them, and though in working clothes, they were yet far from being ragged. The girls were next visited, and here perhaps more than in connection with tho boys, cleanness and neatness was observable, They all looked happy, and rosy,"the cleanliness of their : attire reflecting; every : credit on the careful supervision of Mrs Carson. ■',"., As with the. boys there,was not the slightest appearance of disease of any kind, '.-. and. though only in ordinary work-day: costume, and engaged in the usual routine of the institution, they showed \ plainly that so far; from neglect every care was taken that is possible inculcate habits of cleanliness and neatness in dress. From, enquiries made as'to the usual course pursued with, regard to children leaving the institution, 'it appears that where -parents have their children returned donot provide .clothes for them to travel in, the institution does so. Mm;; was'the me; with the JSTeilson; children, .who;.on;'leaving the school the were neatlyicjiid and clean. That this is so .is amply; proved by the potee^vthrough;;whose:.hands they passed io the thesteamer, in Lyttelton. of the> visit/; 'niade under slighest i

attempt at any extraordinary preparation being made to make the children appear any different than they do on ' any ordinary occasion, seems to indicate the utter impossiblity of there being any • foundation for the statements made as against the management of the school. After having throughly inspected every child in tho institution, a visit was paid'.to the dormitories. These, too, wore the picture of neatness, The bedding\was exceedingly clean and the' rooms Well 'ventilated. The lavatories aro wo]\supplied with hot and cold water, and ample, convenience'is provided foi'\baths. ; ' Mr Carson has.now in course ,o£ .progress works which will further increase these facilities. For the boys' there' wllf be four concrete baths with 'an ample ■ supply of basins, ifec, and thoßanie fo\ the girls. Both of these will have' 1 hot and cold water laid on. It is' also in contemplation to provide'a swimming bath 80 x3O with a depth'of .water ranging from one foot to five feet, and arrangements 'will be made so that tho boys'and girls will be enabled, to use this separately. The out offices; have also been greatly improved'-since Mr Carson took charge, and are ample and convenient. The public will be enabled to judge from what ig'jiow stated as to the amount of credence to be placed in statements such as the one under notico. It may' be noted that the children Neilson left the school about November 6th, and that the complaint mis not mado known until December Bth, or a month, at least, afterwards. With respoct to any one visiting the institution, it may be stated that Mr Carson 'is only too happy to receivo any person who may wish to do so at any time, Tho Band, under Mr Bowles, is progressing very satisfactorily, and will, no doubt,, givo a good account of themselvos during the ensuing' holidays, for which thoy have numerous engagements.