STOKE ORPHANAGE INQUIRY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 186, 7 August 1900, Page 2

STOKE ORPHANAGE INQUIRY.

(By Telegraph.—O™ Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

The Stoke Orphanage Commission resumed here to-day. Mr Hogben, secretary of the Educational Department, and Mr Thompson, visitor under the Department, represented the Department.

Brother Jolm, superior of the Marist Brothers Order for Australasia, gave evidence that the Stoke school was carried on under conditions similar to those which prevailed in other such schools. The Order • recognised the manager appointed under the Government regulations as the overriding authority. With regard to the internal arrangements of the institution the Brothers were instructed to consult with the manager in cases where severe punishment was necessary. Witness would consider confinement severe punishment. Examined by Mr Hogben, witness said the order was bound to conform to the laws of the country in the management of thes» schools. The headmaster did not require to consult the manager in the appointment of subordinates, nor had the manager power to appoint members of the staff. Witness would admit the aitthority of the manager to remove or suspend a brother for grave reasons. He was not aware of the nature _of the punishment inflicted upon inmates of the Stoke school until the inquiry opened, although, he knew punishment by strokes on the hand was in use. Had never heard of the use of padlock and chains 'in the school. Would not consider the supplejack a suitable instrument of,punishment. He disliked strokes upon the body. Except in extreme cases as punishment he would suggest detention, deprivation, of recreation, etc., in lieu of corporal punishment. He thought the dietary scale of the school sufficient. Could see no objection to the school being brought under Government regulations with respect to all matters regarding management except religious instruction. He believed a record should be kept of all exceptional punishments jnflicted upon inmates. It was contrary to the regulations of the Marist Order that a woman should be employed m any capacity about the school. This was all the evidence offered here.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association..)

-■>' WELLINGTON, this day. During the sittings of the commission at Nelson comparison was made between the management of the ; Stoke, Burnham, and Caversham Industrial schools. As the outcome ox this Brother John has accepted ftn' invitation from the Educational De- .' partment and the' Commissioners to pay a visit to the Burnham and Caversham schools before he returns to Sydney. Its has been arranged that Mr Pope, secretary of the Commis- , sion, shall remain in Nelson for a. few days to give an opportunity for JHirther evidence being tendered under the new order of reference, which • extends the scope of the inquiry to five years. ; ( NELSON, this day. ■• ■ Mr Bush, having returned from ~ Wellington/Mr Pope, secretary of ,fh9 - , Commission, attended thisi morning to •„ receive further complaints (if any). ■ complaints were then forthcoming, , and. Mr Pope said he wotiM attned again this afternoon for the same ' ■ purpose. The Charitable Aid Board r, subsequently met. and passed the fol- ■ lowing resolution, "That the Boar^ have considered the position with regard to extension of the enquiry for' j flve years, and have determined .not to formulate any fresh charges, but that ,;, if the Commission sits to take further evidence, the Board propose to tender evidence in further support of the charges already made by the Board, and extending over the five years."