STOKE COMMISSION.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 9835, 7 August 1900, Page 8

STOKE COMMISSION.

Sitting at Wellington.

Brother Superior Examined.

[per press association.]

Wellington, This day. The Stoke Commission resumed its sitting here to-day. Mr Hogben, secretary of the Education Department, and Mr Thompson, a visitor under the department, represented the department^ Brother John, Super*.or 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 eases 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 ot the country in the management of these schools. Tho headmaster did not require to consult the manager in the appointment of subordinates, nor had the manager power to appoint members of the staff. Witnrss would admit the authority of the manager to remove or suspend, a Brother for grave reasons. He was not aware of the nature of the punishment inflicted upon the inmates of the Stoke school until the enquiry opened, although he knew that punishment by strokes on the hand was in use. He had never heard of the use of padlocked chains in the school. Would not consider a 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 the Government regulations with respect to all matters regarding management except religious instruction. B-ilieved a record should be kept of all exceptional punishments inflicted upon inmates. It was contrary to the regulations of the Marist Order that women should be employed in any capacity about the school. This"was all the evidence offered here. During the sittings of the Commission at Nelson, a comparison was made be- ! tween the management of the Stoke, [Burnham, and Caversham Industrial ' Schools, and as an outcome of this Brother John has accepted the invitation of the Education Department and the Commis- : sioners to pay a visit to the Burnham and Caversham schools before he returns to Sydney. It has been arranged that Mr Pope, secretary to the Commission, shall remain at Nelson for a few days to give an opportunity for further evidence being tendered under the new order of reference, which extends the scope of the enquiry to five years. Nelson, Tbis day.

Mr Bush having returned to Wellington yesterday, Mr Pope, secretary to the Commission, attended (his morning to receive further complaints, if any. No complaints were thou forthcoming, and Mr Pope said he would attend again this afternoon for the same purpose. The Charitable Aid Board subsequently met, and passed the following resolution : — " That the Board have considered the position with regard to the extension of the enquiry to five years, and have determined not to formulate any fresh charges, but that if the Commission sits to take further e\ idence the Board propose to tender evidence to further support the charges already made by the Board, and extending over the five years."