H.—2l.

H. PATTEN.]

41

31. How would it do them good morally? —In dealing with this class of girls the more you keep them employed the better it is for them morally, for if they have idle time, and associate together, it is a common practice for them to contaminate each other. The more you keep them at healthy employment, both for mind and body, the more success you may look, for in an institution of that kind. 32. Even if the girls do work that would be laborious work for a man?—Of course, they should not do more than the bodily strength of the girls warrants. That is, of course, a different thing; but I should not think, from what I have seen here, that the work would be so hard. The trees are not very large. I have seen them. 33. You know some of the girls in that Home are not there for criminal offences? —Possibly so. 34. And you know they are mixed up with the others? —And, unfortunately, there are others deeply tainted. 35. The Commissioner.] You have expressed an opinion with regard to corporal punishment. Of course, you know the girls there are of all ages, many of them being close upon twenty-one. In expressing your opinion in regard to corporal punishment, do you limit the age?— Yes, discretion should be used. 36. Do you think it is a desirable thing to strap a girl approaching twenty-one years of age? —If all other methods have failed, but not until then, I should advocate it. 37. What methods would you suggest trying?— There is the power of moral suasion, and trying to get the girl to look at things from a different standpoint, by which she will judge differently, and so influence her conduct differently. 38. Do you really think, looking to the fact that the girls are there to be reformed, that giving twelve strokes with a strap to a girl laid on her face on a bed is likely to have any reforming effect ?—I do not know the nature of the offence. 39. The offence generally is for absconding?—Of course, it would act differently upon different characters. It might have a tendency to harden some girls. Ido not think that punishment can be done away with there any more than in the elementary schools. 40. You do not have girls of twenty in an elementary school? —No. 41. Have you any ideas about cutting hair as a form of punishment ?—I think it is also for the purpose of preventing their committing the same offence of absconding. 42. You think a girl is less likely to clear out with her hair cropped and her head in a noticeable condition ?—Yes, and in that case I should advocate it. 43. Mr. Russell.] Supposing strapping were abolished, and you had a girl not only absconding but endeavouring to get eight or nine other girls to abscond with the avowed intention of living a life of prostitution, what punishment would you suggest?— There is no punishment 1 could advocate. If they are not open to moral suasion in any way, I think the case is hopeless. Adam Frederick John Mikle examined on oath. 1. Mr. Salter.] You are a duly qualified medical practitioner, residing in Christchurch? —Yes. 2. I think in September of last year you were called to attend Miss Howden, at Te Oranga Home?— Yes. 3. What condition did you find her in?— She had a very acute attack of influenza. 4. Could you tell us what her temperature was when you first saw her ?—lt was the ordinary temperature in such a case, but later on her temperature was 1045. 5. What state was she in?— Showing the usual symptoms of influenza—severe headache, high fever, coughing, and pains in the chest. 6. Did you have any conversation with the Matron about her? —Yes. 7. What took place?— What generally takes place under such circumstances. The only thing I have to say is this : I suppose, owing to circumstances, the patient could not receive, and did not receive, perhaps as much nursing and attention to diet as the case required. The Matron told me at the time they could not nurse a severe case in the institution, as no person had been appointed for such a purpose, and any case of that sort was sent to the Hospital. 8. Did you say it was necessary that a nurse should be got?— Not at first; but afterwards, when I found her in what I consideretl. a really dangerous condition, I was very much afraid pneumonia might supervene, and I thought it really not safe to leave her unattended by a competent person that night. 9. Did the Matron say whether any one could be with her that night?—l understood from the Matron there was no person in the institution who could undertake that duty, and I said I would send a nurse, and I did so. 10. Can you form any idea from your conversation with the Matron, and from her action in the matter, whether she had any sympathy at all with the patient?— Well, of course, people differ greatly in their demonstrations. 11. Do you know what diet Miss Howden had been having? —The diet was not satisfactory. Certainly she did not receive, as I said before, either proper attention or proper dieting. I cannot say anything else. 12. Would that indicate that the person in charge either had not the knowledge or inclination?— One or the other. I think Mrs. Branting scarcely understood Miss Howden to be as ill as she was. She seemed to be a little unwilling to believe she was so ill. 13. The Commissioner.] Did you indicate any form of diet?—l am sure to have done so. 14. Mr. Salter.] Do you know whether your directions were altered after your first visit? —I she" 1 1 give instructions at each visit.

6 H. 21.