0. MILLS.]

81

H.—2l.

81. You know the Department are now having plans prepared? —Yes, and it will be a blessing when the building is up. 82. That will simplify your methods very much?— Yes, because at the present time the older girls influence the younger ones. 83. Have you any doubt in your own mind as to the benefits resulting to the girls from their residence in this place?—l think it is the best thing ever brought into operation. 84. You see the girls improving under your eye?—l do. Any one who has seen the girls when they come in and sees them now would know that. Their maimers are better and they are so much nicer. 85. Do you know of any other instance of a girl being in the cell without being visited? I cannot understand it. 86. Is any particular member of the staff told off to visit them in the cell?— No. Every one is told that a girl is in the cell, and we all pay a visit whenever we have a chance. 87. Then, a girl might have several visits one after the other? —The staff all know the girl is there, and that she must be visited. 88. Do you know of any instance where the Matron has discussed with you any other members of the staff?— She has never discussed other members of the staff with me. Ellen Maria Hunt examined on oath. 1. Mr. Russell.] You are Sub-matron here? —Yes. 2. How long have you been an attendant at the Home? —I came about January, 1904. I came relieving. 3. You have been connected with the Home four years?— Yes. 4. I think if you could get rid of or isolate a certain proportion of the girls here things would go on much better ?—Much easier. 5. I think last week you had F B and E S and a few others isolated from the others : did that help you?— Yes, the Home was much easier to work, and quieter. 6. Are you friendly with the other members of the staff and are they friendly with you?— Yes. 7. Do you, apart from the salary you receive, take a personal interest in helping these girls to a better life?— Yes. That is all lam here for. Without that interest you could not remain. 8. Generally, since you have been here, is it your opinion that the girls gradually improve after being here some time? —Yes. Their conversation and moral tone and everything improves. 9. At first I suppose they are rough, and coarse and wicked? —Yes, and unmanageable. 10. And as time goes on the softening influence of this place improves them in every way?— Yes. 11. Do you think this Home and their training here does assist these girls morally?— Yes; it puts better and purer thoughts into their minds. 12. Are you quite satisfied about that? —Yes. 13. Do you find that all the members of the staff have the same interest in the work that you have?— Yes. 14. They are not here merely for the purpose of salary, but for the purpose of helping the girls ?—Yes. 15. Do you find they co-operate with you loyally to bring about that result?— Yes. 16. Are you all good friends? —Yes. 17. There is no discordant element at all? —No. 18. And your relations with the Matron_ are the same? —Yes, we are on very good terms. 19. Personally, when you are here in charge, do you adopt the Matron's methods in all respects? —Yes. 20. Do you find that she herself gets on well with the girls?— They seem specially fond of her. 21. Do the girls yield obedience to the staff cheerfully in most cases?— Yes. 22. And sometimes you find them contumacious? —Yes; very troublesome. 23. Do you consider the Matron combines the kindness and firmness that are required in dealing with girls of this kind? —Yes. 24. She holds them, I suppose, in check when necessary, and is severe, yet you say they are all fond of her? —Yes. 25. With regard to the physical work the girls are called upon to do, such as wood-chopping, one of the girls said you drove them: is that true? —No; you cannot drive girls. 26. Have you attempted to do so? —No. 27. Do you remember that they are girls and not men? —Yes, and if they get tired I allow them to stop. But some are tired before they start, 28. And you insist upon such girls doing some work? —Yes; doing their share. 29. Some of the girls do too much, and have to be checked? —Yes; there are some who would work too much if you let them. 30. Does the physical health of the girls seem to be all right so far as you can see?— Yes. 31. Do the girls increase in size and weight?— Yes. 32. Have you heard any of the girls making legitimate and reasonable complaints about the food? —No; they have always seemed satisfied. 33. Have you had any exceptions to that rule?— No. 34. It has' been said that girls are occasionally sent out without food because they speak at table: is that true?— Not unless she is warned at the beginning of the meal. 35. If a girl is sent out, is her food not sent out with her? —Only in exceptional cases is a girl sent out without it. Very often the food is left on the table, and the girls come in and eat it afterwards.

11— H. 21.