A VISIT TO THE ORPHANAGE.

Press, Volume XIX, Issue 2758, 4 March 1872, Page 3

A VISIT TO THE ORPHANAGE.

Only a few days ago we had occasion to speak in terms of high commendation of the admirable manner in which the steward of the Lunatic Asylum at Sunnyside discharged his very onerous and responsible duties. Siflce then we have paid a visit to the kindred institution in Lyttclton, the Orphanage, and here again it is our pleasing duty, as faithful chroniclers, to record the zeal and assiduity, coupled with the utmost attention to those under their care, displayed by Hγ Giraud, the Superintendent, and Miss Creasy, the matron of the Orphanage. It is a matter for the utmost congratulation by the province at large that two such important institutions as those referred to should be under the control of such efficient officers —officers in every way thoroughly fitted for the discharge of their duties. Not only is the admirable discipline and system prevailing known and appreciated by the inhabitants of the province, but visitors from other parts of New Zealand, and from the Australian colonies, have placed on record their tribute of praise to the manner in which the internal arrangements are carried out, and the adaptation of the buildings used for the purpose. The orphanage, with which the present description is more directly connected, was for some years located at Addington—a site which, while possessing some advantages for such an institution, yet had many disadvantages, and on the Government deciding not to continue the Hospital at Lyttelton arrangements were made to remove there ; and the institution, which at that time was of somewhat a mixed character, being partly under control of the Government, and partly under that of the authorities of the Anglican Church, passed exclusively under control of the Government, and was removed to the building then vacated by the Hospital authorities. The site is one which is admirably adapted to the purpose; close to the town, yet removed from it; situated on an eminence from whence a splendid view of harbor and town is obtained, a healthful and breezy situation, no better could in our opinion be found for it. During the past few months a further plot of ground towards Lyttelton has been added to the area, and it is anticipated that shortly the comparatively flat plateau upon which the Maori hostelry is built will be fenced in, the ground having been given by the Government to the institution, and thus a capital recreation ground for the youngsters will be provided. On approaching the Orphange we were strnck with the air of neatness and order pervading the whole ; the pathways neatly kept and weeded, the grounds nicely laid out, showed that a deal of industry on the part of the lads, and good management on the part of the resident officials had been exercised to transform what, some short time back during the time the hospital was located there, was a perfect wilderness of tussocks and clumps of gorse. All along the front of the building, which we may observe faces directly down the harbor and towards the town, is a Tdnd of corridor open to the front, upon which the doors of the dormitories, ic. open, the roof being formed by a balcony overhead, running the length of the building. This forms a capital place for the children to play when the weather is too bad to allow of them going out in the grounds. Iv front of this is an open space, partially asphalted, which is used as a parade ground. Shortly after our arrival the little fellows fell in to the sound of the bugle in regular military style, and under command of Ser-geaut-Major Kinnebrook. went through some military evolutions in a manner that would put many of our adult corps of volunteers to the blush, although several of them were exceedingly small soldiers indeed. Having been inspected by the Superintendent Mr Giraud, the various squads, under their monitors, fell out and proceeded to their respective tasks, and in a few moments the whole detachment were as busy as bees. The institution is divided into wings

the southern one being occupied by the boys and the resident superintendent ; th< other or northern, being appropriated to th< girls and Miss Creasy. I The first part visited was the schoolroom I which is a nice light cheerful room, 45 x 25 • looking out on the harbor. It iscomfortablj I fitted with desks, forms, Sec, and the walli J are hung with maps and scriptural texts At the southern end is the organ recenth used at S. Michael's, but which appears tc have greatly improved in brilliancy of tone !It is intended to hold a gift auction o , i fancy articles. &c, shortly, in aid of a func which is being raised to further improve tht onran. and any donations, of whatever kind towards this "object will be gratefully re ceived by the matron, Miss Creasy. We raai mention here in connection with this pro jerted bazaar, that some of the boys, undei I the tuition of the matron, have made sonru j very pretty Berlin wool articles, which fo; neatness of work, and tasty execution, woult bear favorable comparision with manj similar articles exhibited at bazaars, &c. In front nf the organ is a moveable reading desk, used by the Superintendent for th< purpose of reading morning and evening prayers, and conducting service on Sundays Next to the schoolroom, on the ground floor is a dormitory for the elder boys, which is the very picture of neatness and cleanliness Each bed, together with the bedding, bears i number corresponding to that given to th< occupant on entering the Orphanage, ant each parcel of bedding is neatly packed uj in military style. The bedsteads themselves are most ingeniously constructed, ho as tc pack up into the very smallest compass ii the shortest possible time. No beds are used, the navy canvas with which the bed steads are covered forming a kind of ham mock. The bedsteads consist of two iror rods, slipping in one .each side, and resting on two legs, which fold up. At the head oi each bed are two staples, fastened into th( wall, into which the rods drop, and which support the bedstead, so that they are removed without any trouble, and rolled up every morning to be carried out into the air leaving the room perfectly clear, for the pur pose of being thoroughly cleaned out Round the room, at the head of each bed, arc shelves, or small compartments, each bearing a number, upon which are neatly packed th( Sunday suits of the boys, and where alsc the clothes worn during the day are folded at night. This, like all the rest of tht apartments in the orphanage, is beautifully clean and neat throughout. Passing througl this we come to a second dormitory in whict the arrangements are similar to that previously described, and thence into a store foi clothing, in which the spare clothes for the boys are kept. The cost of the Sunday suits is 13s 6d, the working suits costing 12s 6J each. A clothing parade takes place every month, when every boy has to produce hii kit, to allow of an inspection being made into its condition. We next come to the boy's infirmary, which, owing want o\ room, has now to be used for a girl's dormitory, as also hasone of the boy's dormitories ii the same wing. An infirmary for the boy. , in addition to the dormitory accommodatior now existing is much wanted. The arrangements of the girl's dormitories are precisely the same as the boys, the bedding having tc be packed up in the same military mauna every morning. On one side we come to a small surgery it which is the medicine chest, &c, and which is also used as an office, and so on, uutil tht girl's day-room is reached, a nice large loftj room, with a. good view of the harbor anc town. At the time of our visit about twenty or thirty neat looking and healthy girls wen busily engaged sewing, knitting, &c, theii rosy appearance testifying to the care anc attention bestowed upon them ; next to this is the general store-room of the establishment, a large room in which is kept all the girls' clothing and other articles required ir the Orphanage, such as blankets, dresses bate, shoes, linen, cfcc, all neatly packed iway upon shelves which run around the room. All the articles, as in the case of tht Asylum, bearing a distinctive mark, such ai i peculiar stripe running through the blankets petticoats, &c. Descending a fight of steps we come to th( aath room, which is supplied from the steam boiler in the kitchen with hot water ;he cold being laid on from a lift pump which forces the water up from a well lli :eet deep, having a depth of 13 feet of watei n it. The bath-room is divided into twe compartments, one being appropriated to tht ;irla and the other to the boys. The childrer ire divided into squads, each under the care sf a monitor, who sees that the operation o1 Dathing is properly conducted, under th( supervision of the superintendent and the sergeant-major, who is head monitor. The aath room is floored with concrete, and (vooden stands are provided in order tc ivoid the boys standing upon the cold floor Each boy has a nail upon which to hang his clothes while in the bath, and a towel marker with his number. The same arrangement if :arried out with respect to the girls. Nexi to the bath room is a scullery, having a large sink with hot and cold water laid on. Tht hot water is provided by means of the steam pipe passing round the boiler. Here all the plates, &c, in use are washed and placed it racks. The kitchen is a fine large apartment, fitted with every convenience, having a range capable of cooking for two hundred, and is kept in beautiful order. The boiler here supplies the bath-rooms, and is filled bj means of the pump spoken of previously. OfE the kitchen is a storeroom fitted with locken and shelves, in which the provisions are kept, having a buttery hatch communicating with a small pantry, through which all the provisions are weighed oul every Saturday to the cook, who it expected to make a return of all storei served out to him. In this pantry is kepi the meat, bread, plum pudding, &c, served to the children, the whole being of the besi quality, the latter especially we can vouch for being excellent. No cooking is done a 1 all on Sundays, the meats for that day being cooked on Saturday both for the childrer and the resident staff, so that the kitchen is closed altogether on Sundays. Above tht kitchen is the dining hall, the meals bein£ served by means of a lift which runs dowr into the kitchen from the dining hall. The dinners are served in a tin dish divided intc two compartments, in one of which is placed the meat and the other the'vegetables, the whole being covered with a shallow tir. cover, which is used as a plate, thus keeping the rations warm. Passing out of the kitchen and ascending a staircase on to the balcony, we reach the dining hall, a spaciout apartment 40 by 25, lighted by eight large windows, and facing the sea. In this rooir are four long tables with forms, twc. on one side being devoted to the boys, and two to the girls, with a passage between. The boys parade for meals in front of the building to sound of bugle, and the girls in their own quarters, and headed by their respective monitors and monitresses. march to the dining hall, the girl 3 going first and bsing seated before the boys march in. Outside the door are a row of pegs, and the boys as they march in single file! hang their caps each oa his own peg according to his number in the ranks. Having taken their seats, the monitors and monitresses proceed to place before each theii rations, which have been sent up from the kitchen by means of the lift. At a signal from the superintendent, all rise and sing a grace; —and very nicely they sing, too— after whicb. at a second signal, they fall tc and soon make short work of their allowance. Dinner over, they again rise obedient to signal, and return thank?, after whicl they "again file out in the same order, tht boys preceding the girls. The boys who are told off for the duty, and who carry it out for the space of one month, pack up the plates, &c, into baskets, and then returc them to the kitchen by means of the lift, sweep up, and tidy the room. The number of inmates at present in the Orphanage is 100, the number of boys and girls being nearly equal, and there "are. we understand, about thirty children waiting for admission, there not being room to accommodate all. In the centre of the building is a large entrance hall, on which open the visitor's reception room, the matron's sitting-room, ■fee, and in the centre is the staircase, by means of which access is obtained to the upper floor, where are the cjuarters of the

superintendent and the infirmary, the latter having attached to it a small room with a , fire-place, where in case of sickuess the nurse can remain during the night so as to be in close attendance. Leaving the interior of the building we pass along the front to the grounds. As we fgo we notice the garden tools used by the boys neatly arranged in a rack at the end of the building, each boy being responsible for the return and safe custody of the tools used by him. The grounds of 'the Orphanage arcthree acres iv extent, the greater part of which when taken possession of some eighteen mouths or two -rears ago, were in a wild and uncultivated state, but which now are laid out in beds, neatly kept and planted. The grounds rise behind the institution and are "reached by winding paths, planted with a well-kept hedge of broom plants. Owing to the late very dry season, the trees, &c. do not look so well as they would have done had there been more rain ; but still the change effected during the comparatively short period mentioned, is very marked, and bears testimony to the industry of the lads, they havinir effected the whole of the improvements themselves, under the supervision of Mr Giraud. The system adopted by the latter gentleman is an exceedingly good one, tending as it does to excite friendly rivalry and emulation i amongst the little fellows. Each boy has a j portion of garden ground allotted to him. which is measured off, and numbered stakes inserted at the boundary of each patch, every boy's number being registered. Seeds of various kinds are provided for them, and prizes awarded to the best-kept and cultivated piece. In another portion of the grounds are smaller patches, used as seedbeds, bearing numbers corresponding with that of the larger portions, in which the boys raise their plants, such as cabbages, cauliflowers, Sec, for planting out. It is the intention of Mr Giraud during next season to hold a show of vegetables, &c, grown on the respective pieces, when prizes will be awarded to the successful competitors, the interest of the show being enhanced by some flowers shown by friends of the institution, so as to render it more attractive. A small admissiou fee will be charged, which will go towards furnishing the prizes offered. Itis amusing to notice with what industry the little fellows work away on their small gardens, and how careful they are to make them as neat as possible. In some cases they have an ambition above the growing of vegetables, and have little flower beds which show marks of careful tending. In those parts of the grounds not occupied as above, some very pretty native shrubs such as gnaios, ake-ake, &c, together with wattles, silver poplars, &c, have been planted which, despite the dryness of the soil, are growing well. In the piece recently added to the grounds there is a large gully which has been planted with trees, and the slopes laid out in beds, winding paths being cut by which access is obtained. All this work has been done bythe boys alone, and when the rough nature of the ground is taken into consideration, they have had many difficulties to contend with to bring it to its present state, aud when the improvements contemplated are carried out the grounds attached to the Orphauage will bear favorable comparison with those of many gentlemen's residences. Everything connected with the institution denotes the existence of the utmost order aud discipline; the children look healthy and contented, and anyone who wishes to spend a pleasant hour or two cannot do better than pay a visit to the Orphanage at Lyttelton.