Catholic Poor Law Schools

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 18, 30 April 1903, Page 27

Catholic Poor Law Schools

Cardinal Vaughan's recent appeal to his flock for further assistance towards the maintenance and exten-_ eion of the Reformatory, Industrial, and Certified Poor Law Schools of the archdiocese draws attention to one of the most successful efforts of his eminent predecessor, Cardinal Manning. It was in 1865 that the latter first directed his attention to obtaining the transfer of Catholic children inmates of workhouses and workhouse schools to Catholic Certified Poor Law Schools. In 1867 he had erected and equipped one Reformatory, two Industrial, and two Certified Poor Law Schools, with, a total Cumber of children of 448, of whom but 70 were sent by and chargeable to 11 unions and parishes. Today there are in the archdiocese one Reformatory, four Industrial, and 12 Certified Poor Law Schools, and the total number of inmates is 2644, of whom 1810 are children sent by and chargeable to 58 unions and parishes. Before his death Cardinal Manning was in the position to state that there was not one orphan or det* sorted Catholic child of his diocese being educated in workhouse schools. His example was followed by other bishops of his Church, and with the result that to-day there are 14 Catholic Certified Poor Law Schools for boys, with accommodation for 2655 inmates ; 25 for girls, with accommodation for 8027 ; and 11 mixed schools, with accommodation for 1158--a total of 50 Certified Poor Law Schools with accommodation for 6840 children i