TE ORANGA HOME.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 72, 24 March 1908, Page 6

TE ORANGA HOME.

IT v u y Telegraph.—Press Association.! CHKISTCHTjjRCH, Monday. The inquiry -inf-6~tn£:management of :: ithe Te—Grangi-Home; " which ias:.been ' -"conducted -sioner, was concluded*this-afternoon. : Mr X H. Pope,' who" is in charge ol --that 'branch of the Department which -"deals with industrial sehools_Tieaf, Dlrnd, ■md mentally backward shUdrenj.and m-*-fent was the De- - par£sen¥ regardetJhatas : one oi its moTimporUnt duties. Since 1900, when *he present re-classification of industrial schools commenced, the Department had spent on such schools a capital expenditure of £54,000, and it was now ' niitted to works that must in the near future add another £25.-000 or probably £30000 to that amount. The Department spent annually on the institutions something like £40,000, Te Oranga alone eostin°- about £2000 net expenditure. Continuing, the witness said the food at .the home was plain but good. The matron ihad absolutely no object, anything but the best, and the contract ■conditions stipulated that the best should foe supplied. Special provision was made in the case-of any-delicate-inmate requiring a special diet. The Department took an-active interest in the progress of each child under its controL He was of opinion that Mrs. Branting (the matron) was absolutely wrapped up in her work. As to the hair-cutting episode, witness said , that there had been only two cases, and those occurred last November. The Department had been for the past six or seven years averse to this form of punishment, and had on three separate occasions declined to allow the matron to inflict it. It was only in the case of two of the gids that- the Department agreed ■ to it, where it was recognised that something drastic 'had to be done. The cases were considered by the Minister himself. The Department was also averse to corporal pirnisiimeiit if it could be avoided, particularly with the elder inmates. In Sis opinion the results of the home trainfntr -were truly wonderful. Mr. Bishop" stated that he would consider the whole matter and send ihis report to His Excellency the Governor.