BUENHAM INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.

Evening Star, Issue 10340, 14 June 1897, Page 2

BUENHAM INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.

A committee of inquiry set up by the Canterbury Progressive Liberal Association recently paid a visit of inquiry to the above institution, and we make these extracts from the report, the first signature to which is that of Mr T. E. Taylor, M.H.R. : There are in the institution about 80 boys and 24 girls, in all somewhat over 100 inmates; in addition to which there are over 400 children under its jurisdiction, boarded out either in homes with friends or in service. A total of between 500 and 600 children are thus nnder its control. The average age of the children in the institution is about 13 vears.

The name of the institution is entirely! misleading, as no attempt is made to give the boys instruction in manual skill. Tour Committee do not suggest that the children should be taught trades, but are strongly of opinion that a good deal 0 f knowledge, which would be of great use to them in after life, should be imparted whilst inmates of the institution. As an illustration, your Committee would refer to the classes recently established at the Normal School for the purpose of teaching the rudiments of carpentering ; and are also of opinion that the boys should be taught to mend their own garments, repair their own boots, and do the general repairs about the building, believing that the lack of this practical, instruction is productive of slothful and thriftless habits. Your Committee regretted to find that the master is altogether opposed to the institution being made to represent what it is designated—viz., an industrial home. They are of opinion that an instructor could, without difficulty, be obtained qualified to teach the children as suggested. A regulation list of the clothing supposed to be provided for each boy has already been furnished to the Association, but your Committee found this department in an extremely unsatisfactory condition. The garments supposed to be there in many cases were not in existence, whilst some that were were in a bad condition. There are shelves divided into sections and numbered to correspond with the boys. Your Committee inquired if the respective divisions contained each boy's garments, and the reply was in the affirmative; the question was then put as to how many suits were supplied to boys in the institution, and were told three —Sunday, school, and working I suits. It was pointed oat that very few of I the compartments had the three suits, many ■ only contained one coat and one knicker, I others one garment only. No vests were attached to the suits, but the manager I stated that the two vests mentioned in the regulation lists were only supplied to boys out on service. Practically there are no overcoat a or oilcoats provided for boys in the institution. Your Committee asked for 1 the under-fhnnels, and were told they were in the laundry and that two each were provided ; but upon investigation only 10G could be produced, of all sizas and descriptions. We were informed that cleveu boys were wearing them, and that their changes were in the wash, but your Committee saw jno boys with any on. There were also eleven new flannels not yet put into use. As 160 flannels would be required to furnish the boys with two each {the regulation number), | there is thus a deficiency of twenty-one. | The girls were even worse off, sixteen ! flannels only being produced, and six said to be in use; this would not provide one flannel for each of the twenty-four girls in the institution. Iu respect "to the garments just referred to, the master stated that most of the boys refused to wear them; but your Committee are of opinion that the regular wearing of these garments all the year round should be insisted upon, and regard the master's statement as an indication of laxity of discipline. Your Committee regret to find such an important department as that of clothing should be in such an unsatisfactory condition, and that a considerable amount of negligence is displayed in regard to the custody of the clothing. The entry of a kit of a boy going out to service that morning was checked, and found to bo deficient by several articles | named in the regulation list. The discrepancy was explained by the storekeeper, who said that the boy had been out pieviously and failed to bring them back. There is absolutely no system of bookkeeping to exercise sufficient check on these kits, which we should think results in considerable loss to the institution during the year. I Food.—Your Committee think it a matter for regret that the institution should not have been located on land sufficiently fertile to enable the institution to supply itself with all the milk, butter, meat, etc., required for use therein.

Library.—There is practically no library connected with the institution, there being only a few miscellaneous books and old periodicals. This we consider a very serious defect, and are of opinion that a specially selected library should be at onco provided, in view of the great influence exercised by reading upon the formation of character. It is a matter for sincere regret that this neglect has existed so long. The methods of punishment adopted are various, including incarceration in cells, flogging, and standing on one foot for lengthy periods. Boys who have absconded from the institution are confined for several days in succession with the exception of meal times. One of the cells so used is situated under the water tanks, and is entered by means of a stairway. There is a closet built into the cell, which is most objectionable ; and there was also a bad smell, which probably came from o!o3eta immediately by the stand. There is no article of furniture of any description, and the influence of incarceration in this cell would be most depressing. There are also two other cells, recently built, in the institution, which, whilst less gloomy, are still prisonlike. Your Committee are of opinion that the whole system of cell punishment is objectionable in the extreme, and should be at once abolished.

Corporal Punishment. The regulation number of strokes for boys who have absconded is twelve. This is cumulative, and as some of the boys have absconded four or five times does not appear to act as a deterrent. This is generally administered by the ploughman or one of the attendants; but your Committee consider that where flogging is necessary it should be done by the master, as in most of our large schools. With reference to the other mode of punishment—viz., standing on one leg for lengthy periods, your Committee ciin ouly regard it as exceedingly cruel and physicilly injurious. Recreation.—There is no adequate provision for recreation, and your Committee are of opinion that, the present appliances are meagre in the extreme. Cricket has been played intfre fnquently during the pi3t few weeks than prior to the last visit of your Association's Committee, and the only evidencj of football discoverable wr»re two old leather football covers. Your Committee think that gytnnasth appliances under cover should be provider! for the institution, also indoor games for winter evenings. Your Committee are also of opinion that the concrete baths in the lavatory should be superseded by more modern appliances, and that a larger supply of hot water should be provided for the use of the boys.

Fire Prevention.—-Sinca your Committee visited the institution last February there have been some fire drill*, as evidenced by the fact that the boys, under the superintendence of Mr Craze, were able to get a supply of water in three minutes ; but it is admitted than the fire engine is totally inadequate for the purpose of extinguishing a tire in the main builriiug. Several of fire buckets »v kept ready insi-le. Tiie means of exit, in the event of a fre, from the dormitories consist of a small casement

window from each, about 3ft by Ift (Jin, hung on pivoU and secured by a lock, the key being kept by an attendant who dost not ek*ep in the dormitory. The window weald have to be unlocked and removed before the boys oould escape. The ladden intended to be used in connection with this mean* of escape art not kept in position. Your Committee are of opinion that in oonneotion with this matter a night watchman should be kept, and consider that it is most deplorable that the lives of so many children should have been in jeopardy for years past owing to the negligence of the authorities in this matter.

Classification. —ln connection with the industrial schools of the colony, your Com* mittee consider that some scheme of olaasifioation iB imperative, in the best interests of the children and the community. Tour Committee are pleased to report that during the past year the following improvements have been effected:—(l) In the appliances and methods of cooking. (2) The new recreation hall referred to has been erected since your Committee visited the institution in February of this year. (3) Increased attention, dating from this time, is given to some of the children's pastimes. (4) A tire engine more suitable for use at the institution is now being advertised for ; and (5) the master informed your Committee that plans were being prepared for improved egress from the dormitories. Tour Committee are of opinion that the improvements already effected and contemplated ate largely due to public criticism.