H.—22a

4

deplorably lacking in those qualities that would tend, by example and influence, to develop the highest qualities of mind and conduct in those who are at the most impressionable age of their lives, and must inevitably take their tone and style from one being who, standing to them as a mother, can in their eyes "do no wrong." It has been just that element of true motherhood that has been so terribly lacking, and the Orphanage has never been, under Mrs. Carpenter, what an ideal Orphanage ought to be —that is, the nearest possible approach to a natural home. There would be nothing extravagant in such an ideal in respect of the Waltham Orphanage. At no one time have there been more than fourteen children, of both sexes, under the charge of the Matron. Therefore, whether the Orphanage were regarded either as an institution or as a cottage home, there would seem no possible reason why these children, unfortunately deprived as they were of their natural parents, should not have been treated and trained in such a manner as would tend to make them, as the first aim of such treatment and training, good and upright and useful members of the community. In the regulations laid down by the Charitable Aid Board in respect of the boarding-out of destitute children, it is provided inter alia that the " foster-parent" will endeavour "to train such child in habits of truthfulness, obedience, personal cleanliness and industry, and to such suitable domestic and outdoor work as may fit him or her to earn a livelihood, and become a useful member of the community." This would appear to be a sensible outline of the duties of the " footer-parent" from the Board's standpoint. It certainly cannot be called extravagant. And yet, to my mind, the treatment at the Orphanage has fallen far short of it. (5.) Re Harsh Treatment. Ido not think that this charge is substantiated in a general sense. Mrs. Carpenter, however unsuited she may be by training and disposition for the proper discharge of the peculiar and trying duties of Matron of an Orphanage, is shown by the evidence to be of a most kindly nature, and a most unlikely person to treat children with deliberate unkindness. I prefer to say that, in my opinion, any acts of hers which appeared to be inconsistent with this account of her qualities were due to grave, errors of judgment. (6.) Re Grotesque Costumes. It is clear that two of the children had the misfortune to be dressed, on occasions, in somewhat grotesque costumes, and on this account formed the subject of remark, if not of ridicule and merriment Ido not gather that this was the result of a deliberate intention on Mrs. Carpenter's part. According to the evidence she is a woman of no taste whatever in the matter of dress, and in that respect is lacking in sound judgment. She was therefore unable to see that in these two instances the result of her lack of taste was so atrocious, both in colours and style, that the unfortunate children were at times the butts of rude criticism. , (7.) Re Taunting Children. It is very greatly to be regretted that Mrs. Carpenter has at times referred to the unfortunate relative of two of the children, within their hearing, under such circumstances as laid her open to the implication of a deliberate intention to taunt them with the relationship. It is so extraordinarily inconsistent with the disposition of Mrs. Carpenter, as described by several witnesses who are least in sympathy with her methods, that I find it hard to believe that these lapses were anything more than further instances of a far from unusual lack of judgment on her part. (8) Re Internal Economy of Orphanage. There certainly has been room for improvement under this heading, but it all harks back to the same cause —that is, the entire unsuitability of the Matron for her position, and the consequent lack of method and system in the general control of the domestic economy of the Orphanage. (9.) Re Punishment of Silence. This refers to a matter on which there will undoubtedly be a difference of opinion as to the propriety or advisability of this form of punishment. Mrs. Carpenter certainly gave very long periods of silence by way of punishment. It would appear to be a very favourite form with her. It is in evidence that some girls were kept in silence for a week, and even a month, continuously. This would appear to be altogether excessive, and the fact that the punishment was so frequent would go to show that it was ineffective. (10.) Re Proper Superintendence of Children. It is abundantly clear that there was an entire lack of proper superintendence of the children, and especially in connection with the use of the bathroom. In an orphanage containing children of various ages and mixed sexes there can be scarcely too much supervision and care exercised to prevent possible mischievous results. This supervision should specially extend to the bath and bed rooms.