TE ORANGA HOME INQUIRY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 154, 24 March 1908, Page 8

TE ORANGA HOME INQUIRY.

CONCLUSION'OF- THE EVIDENCE. (BY TELEGRAM— PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Christchurch, March 23. Tho inquiry into tho management of Te Oranga Home, which has been conducted before Mr. Bishop,, Commissioner, was concluded this afternoon.

R. H. Pope, in chargo of that branch of the Department which dealt with industrial schools, said that at To Oranga the food was plain, but good. Tho matron had absolutely no object in providing anything but tho best, and tho contract conditions stipulated that the best should be supplied. Ho was of opinion . that .Mrs, Branting was absolutely wrapped up' in her work. At first he had an idea that the matron was a little on the hard side, but lie.had since absolutely' changed that opinion. She had a thoroughly good manner with her. In an institution of that kind there must bo a woman who was prepared to assert herself, otherwiso tho girls would ride over her. l He thought that the girls wero decidedly fond of the matron. Mr. Russell: Do .you think tho girls are overworked» at wood-chopping? . Witness: Oh, 110; there is absolutely nothing in it. As to tho hair-cutting episodo, tho witness said 'that there had been only two cases, and tlioso occurred last November. Tho Department had been for the past six or seven years averse to. this form of punishment, aud had on threo separate occasions declined to allow the matron to inflict it. It was only in tho caso of these two girls that the Department agreed to it. Tho cases wore considered by tho Minister himself. Tho Department was also averse to .corporal punishment, if it could bo avoided. A better classification or separation of the worst girls from tho othors would bring corporal punishment down to the minimum.

Mr. Bishop stated that lie would consider the whole matter, and send his report -,o _His Excellenoy the Governor.