Two Catholic State-Wards

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 41, 12 October 1905, Page 17

Two Catholic State-Wards

Some weeks ago specific charges were laid before iho Charitable Aid Board in Ohristdiurch that two Cathulic ohildrcn (Emma Andrews, aged twelve, and her sister Gertie, two years younger) had received severe and unmerited pumslun'ent from t'h-e n^tir-wn of the Waltham Oriyhanage, and that she had frequently held them up to contempt and ridicule on account of the Faith which Uhcy professed. The Board decided to bold an invesitigati'on into t<hc charges referred to, and, in addition, to m-quiro generally into the managemrnt o-f the Orpjiamaige. The allegations of ill-treat-ment) and mismanagement were laid by two non-Cath-olics, Mrs. Peachcy (a Aisitor to the Orphanage) and Mr (1, Scott (a member of t/hc Charitable Aid Board). Tha investigation was held in camera. Among the

other witnesses called were the Andrews children, who, while the investigation was pending and proceeding, ware (and are still) living in the Orphanage and in charge of the matron. Last week (says the 'Lyttelton Timesi) the chairman of the Board reported at an open meeting that the following resolutions had been -adopted : • Having inquired into the charges made by Mrs. Peachey and Mr. Scott against the management of the Orphanage, the Board is of opinion that all the charges have been refuted except one arising out of Mr Scott's general charge in regard to the Andrews children and the Catholic religion in particular ; '-* ' That the above resolution be referred to the Institutions Committee for a special report to the Board at its next meeting.' October IS is the date fixed for the next meeting.