3

H.—22a

evidence, which there is no reason to doubt the absolute correctness of, makes this quite clear. And still matters were al'owed to drift. And then came the inquiry held by the Board on the 13th September, 1905, which would appear to afford ample material for prompt action. And still nothing was done. The Board could scarcely have imagined at this stage that the matter would be allowed to remain where it was left, and further inquiry was inevitable. Doubtless many members of the Board were influenced in their views on the real merits of the question by feelings of respect and regard for Mrs. Carpenter, and by a strong desire to avoid doing anything to injure her or to prejudice her future prospects. Events have shown that it was a most mistaken kindness, for the position in which she is placed to-day is a most unfortunate one in every respect. She is the victim of circumstances, and can only thank her friends for it. Whatever action with regard to her the Board may hereafter decide to take, there are certain matters personal to herself which cannot but redound to her discredit, as the result of this inquiry. And all this might so easily have been avoided. As touching the question of management and control, it will be convenient here to state that I have personally visited the present Orphanage. I found that the only drainage is by means of a slowflowing stream within a few yards of the house, and this is really nothing else but an open sewer at the present time. The weather was cloudy and cool on the occasion of my visit, but still the stench of the drain was most offensive, and its appearance most repulsive. What it would be like on a hot, sunny day can be best left to the imagination. The Matron informed me that its existence was a constant source of unpleasantness and anxiety to her. Her fear of the effect of the nuisance upon the health of the children was so great that she constantly kept them away from its neighbourhood. This seems to show a great lack of interest on the part of the Board, for the most casual inspection would have detected the nuisance. It is only fair to Mrs. Carpenter to say that she asserts that she has more than once mentioned the matter to the Secretary of the Board. Another matter that struck me was the apparent insufficiency of the sanitary arrangements. This is a matter that cannot be too strongly insisted upon, where children are concerned. Inside the house I was impressed by the absence of what I may term neat and suitable table appointments. The crockery was of the most meagre and mixed description. AH this seemed to me to show an entire disregard for those little amenities that go so far towards encouraging and developing an innocent love of refinement. So far as the children themselves were concerned, they seemed healthy, happy, and free from undue restraint. The site of 3 acres on which the Orphanage stands might be very much better utilised than it is, and made more attractive in appearance. (2.) Re Departing prom Real Purpose of Orphanage. Ido not think that this affords any real ground of complaint. A very wide discretion must necessarily be allowed to the Charitable Aid Board as to whether certain, and what, children shall be admitted to the Orphanage, and the time during which they shall be allowed to remain there. I presume that the reference herein made is to the fact that at the time the Lyttelton Orphanage was taken over there were 102 children resident therein, and that there are now only eight at Waltham. This is the result of the policy of the Board to gradually cease to use the Orphanage as an institution, in the strict sense of the term, and to board out the children committed to their care. This policy, to my mind, in this particular instance, is one to be commended. It has certainly been successful, in a general way. (3.) Re Absence op Moral Training. lam afraid that there can be no doubt as to the truth of this allegation. It would scarcely be an exaggeration to say that the conception of duty towards the children in the Orphanage on the part of those responsible for them, or to whose care they have been committed, has been almost entirely limited to housing and feeding. Nothing practical or systematic in the shape of moral teaching has been afforded them, and no attempt whatever has been made to form and strengthen the characters of the children ; or to develop, in any way, their intelligence. Those old enough have attended the neighbouring public school, and on Sunday some of the children have been to various Sunday-schools. As Mrs. Wells has stated in her evidence, " There were no ' pleasant evenings,' no games, no pictures, no music, no stories told to them "—a deadly dull routine from day to day, varied, perhaps, by an occasional whipping or period of " silence." (4.) Re Lack of " Example and Influence." There can be no doubt that this is true. It is unfortunate that those in authority over the children did not have a higher conception of what their duty really was to those children. The Matron has been