THE OTAGO INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1969, 27 August 1869, Page 2

THE OTAGO INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.

Amongst the educational institutions of Otago the Industrial School promises to be of eminent service. It has long been proved that the must difficult task of a statesman is to provide means for preventing children being trained in vicious courses. There was, until the past few years, the difficulty to be overcome of taking them from under the care of dissolute parents and subjecting them to a discipline calculated to prepare them for a future useful and honorable career. We are glad that in Olago the problem appears to have been solved. The crying evil has been overcome, and th inks to the legislative process by which under given circumstances children can be taken away from scenes of depravity and reared in habits of order and morality, a school has been founded which promises to be the beginning of a social reform, the value of which none can calculate, The school buildings are on a remarkably healthy site about a mile beyond «. aversham. With no great pretensions to architectural beauty, they are well built, and suitable to the purpose. Being near the summit of a hill, the prospect from them is wide, varied, and cheerful. The ground on which they stand comprises about twenty-two acres. The soil is rich, and when it has been brought into cultivation is likely to be very productive. The buildings stand a short distance from the road, and are approached by a winding path neatly laid out, which only needs a few loads of metal and binding to ruler it an excellent road both for foot and carriage passengers. This we think the Government would do well to supply. No better purpose could be served by prison labor than rendering comfortable, premises designed as far as possible to prevent the children educated there becoming inmates of a prison. Mr Benjamin Britton, the master, very kindly conducted us over the premises. He first took us into the school-room, in which the younger children were busy with their afternoon’s lessons, under the superintendence of Mrs Britton and an assistant The discipline seemed perfect. All the ch’ldren, from the youngest to the eldest seemed intent on their work. There was far less noise than usually prevails in schools where equal numbers are taught, but yet the children seemed cheerful. Several were called who had had hut little instruction in reading, and they evidently were making rapid progress. Mrs Britton contrives to maintain order without harshness, for the children obeyed, and unmistakeahly, without fear. One pleasing feature is, the healthy faces of the little inmates. it need not be said that many of them must have been brought up amidst filth and squalid misery ; but if they ever bore marks of it about them, they have disappeared. They are all scrupulously clean, and have a contented happy look. From the school-room we went over the dormitories, and were again struck by the Fcr palous cleanliness of every bed and curner of the rooms. Each child has its own bed, and they are ranged in two rows in large rooms, well ventilated. The hoys sleep at one end of the passage and the girls at the other, while between are the apartments of the master and matron. The beautifully clean floors, colored counterpanes and snow-white sheets showed the attention that is paid to the health and comfort of the children. The dining-room contains a table at which thirty-six can he sea ed, and there are forms on which the remainder can take their meals. The day was fine ; and working hard in preparing a piece of ground for potato-planting were eight or ten of the elder hoys. It had already been ploughed, hut required further breaking up. Each of the lads was using an adze as a hoe, and working as systematically and earnestly as if he had been trained to it from his babyhood, and was improving his father’s property. No trace of the old Adam peeped out amongst them. They were chatting gaily without coarseness, and Mr Britton says that swearing is now unknown amongst them. Two of the elder girls were engaged in laundry work, and were dressed for the occasion—very models of industr,. Altogether, there are forty-seven children there—twenty boys and twentyseven girls. There is a separate play-ground for each sex, with swings and appliances for athletic sports On a whistle being soundedj nil came running, and as if it was a piece of fun, a line was formed. There was a place for each—a regular gradation in height; the tallest lad on the right, decreasing regularly to the least, and the same with the girls. The line formed would not have disgraced a company of volunteers, while the precision with which a few simple movements were performed, might i rove a salutary example to them. Straws serve to shew the direction of the wind. No better test could he given of the kindnes with which Mr and Mrs Britton treat these children than the confident manner in which the little ones clung about them and call them papa and mamma. The order of the day’s proceedings is : The children rise at 7 o clock ; after washing and prayers, breakfast at 8 ; school 9.30 to 11 45 j dinnpr at nopn ; elder boys work 2to 4; the others are occupied in the schoolroom. After tea the young children retire to bed at 6 o’clock ; the elder attend to lessons until 8, when they too go to rest. <’n Sunday, two Sunday school teachers from the Church of England School, Caversham, attend and give religious instruction, and the children attend the Church of England Service. Such is the Otago Industrial School. We shall watch its progress with interest. Mr and Mrs Britton have a heavycharge on their hands, hut they seem equal to the task ; and it will not be the least solacing reflection of their lives to think they are engaged in giving to the children under them a training that may save them from the misery tnd wretchedness that, but for this wisely-provided Institute, would inevitably have been their doom.