G N .].

H.—2l

51. How long ago is that?—ln the old dining-room, when Miss Allen was on the kitchen staff about a year ago. 52. What had the girl been doing?— Giving impudence to Miss Allen. 53. Did you hear her giving impudence?— No. 54. You only know what somebody else told you? —I saw the Matron doing it. 55. Just describe what the Matron did?—E was standing against the wall, and the Matron ran up to her and boxed her ears, and her head went against the wall. 56. You are sure the Matron boxed her ears, and did not put her hand on her shoulder?— She boxed her ears. 57. Did she touch her on the ear or on the back of the head?— Part of the hand might have gone on the head; I do not know. 58. And the girl went up against the wall?— Yes. 59. How far was she standing from the wall?— She was standing against the wall, to be inspected. 60. Did the Matron hear her giving impudence?—l think Miss Allen told her E had been giving impudence. 61. Did you hear the Matron say anything to the girl?— The Matron said, " How dare you give impudence?" and told her she was not to give impudence. 62. What did the girl say?—l cannot remember her saying anything. 63. You say you were kept in the cell one day, and were only visited at meal-times?— Yes. 64. Had you no reason to go outside the cell the whole day? —No. 65. You did not want to leave the cell for any purpose whatever?— No. 66. Then you did not want any one to come to you?— No. 67. Mr. Hunt.] You did not complain to anybody about not liking wood-chopping? It is no good complaining. Ido not like outside work, but I have to do it. 68. Did you ever tell anybody you did not like it?—l have said to the staff and Matron I did not like outside work. 69 How long ago is it that you told the Matron you did not like it?—A month before last just before I was put in the scullery. 70. You are not chopping all the time you are out?— When we are working at chopping we are chopping all the time. rr 6 71. Fifteen girls go together, and you take it in turns, do you not?—l have been sawing the whole morning and chopping the whole morning. 72. Without a rest?— Yes. 73. Do you talk when doing it ?—Sometimes. Miss Hunt does not like us to talk, but with Miss Mills we are sometimes allowed to talk. 11 30 74 ' Wh6n d ° y ° U StaFt chopping? — With Miss Hunt we go out at 8.30 and we come in at 75. And you are chopping all the time without a rest?— Yes. 76. Have you complained to the Lady Visitors ?—No, we do not get the chance to 77. You have never had a chance to see the Lady Visitors?— No. 78. Have you ever asked to see one?— Never. 79. You are in good health?— Yes. the i-Yo'kS oI7JZr ° PP ° rtUnity ° f attra ° ting any ° ne ' S attenti - *»» yOU «in not *" ™ * "*<"* «" 82. Mr. Hunt.] The cell is opposite the office-window?— Yes. 83. And there is always somebody in the office?—l have seen the office with nobody in it. E S examined on oath 1. Mr. Salter.] How old are you?— Twenty on the 4th June. 2. How long have you been in the Home?— Seven years on the 12th June. 3. Have you ever been to service?— Yes. 4. Where?—-At Mrs. C 's, Fisher Street, Beckenham. 5. Why did you leave there?—l ran away. 6. Where did you go to when away?— The first time I went to Lyttelton, and the second time I went to Ashburton. J ' 7. You ran away twice?— Yes. a week ""* br ° Ught back to the Home after the first tim * 7°u ran away?—l was away 9. How long ago is this?— A.year and eight months. 10. What happened when you got back?—l was put in the cell. 11. For how long?— Three weeks. 12. Were you locked up in the cell for any time?— Two whole days !f' Sl h ° V r^l yOU dUr l ng th T uTi° Wh T °lf da y s? - N ohody except the staff and the Matron. 14. When did they come to you?— When I first came into the cell they took me to have a bath and hey put me to bed in the cell, and I stayed in bed that evening, and next day Matron came and 1 got the strap. J «•«*■»«>, 15. How many cuts?— Twelve. 16. With only your nightdress on?— Yes. 17. And you were left in the cell after the strapping?— Yes.

4—H. 21.

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