THE STOKE SCHOOL SCANDAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 209, 3 September 1900, Page 2

THE STOKE SCHOOL SCANDAL.

DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT.

(By Telegraph—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, Friday,

In the House this afternoon, the Premier announced that a corrected copy of the evidence adduced in the Stoke School inquiry would be laid on the table of the House during the evening. Regarding the intentions of the Government, he might inform the House that the two Brothers who had been in charge of the institution before the inquiry would have to go. The Government would also insist that the school should in future be subject to the same Government control as other similar institutions. Mi- T. MacKenzie (Waihemo) asked whether any steps had been taken to arrest the villains who had been guilty of such acts. If they had not- left the colony they ought to be arrested and placed where they ought to be. The Premier said he did not think any good purpose would be served by* the use of hard language. It would be better to suspend judgment until the evidence was before the House. The matter would be in the hands of the police.

Mr MacKenzie said that in t'e meantime the scoundrels would escape from the colony. The Speaker deprecated the use of unparliamentary expressions.

Mr MacKenzie said it was a case which could only be described in strong, language. The Speaker said if the hon. member persisted it would be necessary to call upon him to withdraw the words. Captain Russell thought it would be best to wait for the corrected evidence.

The Premier said he would endeavour to place the. corrected report of the evidence in the hands of members so that they might consider it between this and Tuesday. The whole of the information in the nossession of the Government would be handed to the police. Mr Tanner asked whether the Government would take stops to keep in view certain persons whose evidence might be necessary. At a later stage the Premier replied that the police would be wanting in their duty if that were not done, but in the first place it would be necessary to decide whether the evidence would justify further proceedine*-. v- '"•- • T"1- '

rent that they have left the colony. The Premier: They may have gone to iii-ir i:(..i-.q.ia. •. . . ,'/••- -, • Mr MacKenzie: Why did they leave? The Premier: The knowledge that they would be called upon to resign may be a- sufficient reason. Mr Atkinson asked whether it was not a fact that the Minister of Education (Hon. W. U. Walker) had written that while the persons deserved to be prosecuted the Government did not intend to take any action.

The Premier said if the hon. member would carefully read the letter he would find that it bore no such construction.

Mr G. TV. Russell: Who has charge of the institution?

The Premier: Dean Mahoney. Of course the Government could not tun; the children out into the street. They must be clothed and fed. The institution must go on until.other arrangements are made.

The Speaker thought these questions should not continue when a time had been appointed to discuss the whole matter.

The House then went into com mi ttee on the Customs Duties Amendment.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

NELSON, this day,

The following telegram was received to-day by Dean Mahoney, the legal manager of'the Stoke School, from ihe Brother of Provincial Marist Order, who is now in Wellington:—"Owing to the Government conditions, we must withdraw the Brothers and provide substitutes at earliest convenience. lam forwarding a letter; please inform the Government." Dean Mahoney is about to advertise for a secular mixed staff of masters, matron, workmen, etc.