A VISIT TO BURNHAM.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 13 February 1908, Page 1

A VISIT TO BURNHAM.

WORK OP THE INDUSTRIAL : SCHOOL. "It's a pity we have Burnham," said Mr C. A. G. Hardy, M.P., yesterday, "hut the. public are to blame, or rather those fathers and mothers who entered into matrimony and falied to realise its responsibilities." The writer agreed with the member for Selwyn, but a tour round the grounds showed that ! the institution was a boon to the boys, as well as to the communtiy. The boys are not confined as though in a prison, and any of the one hundred and eleven who are there at present could, on account of the nature of the enclosures, easily obtain his freedom, though, of course, it might be only of brief duration. 'ISie authorities, however, prefer this to brick walls, as it soon demonstrates to those in charge, what boys are to be trusted, besides making it more pleasant for the, pupils by removing the first resemblance to a gaol. The masters are strict, though there is always a method with them, and their sternness is tempered with persuasion. As tlie boys progress, the lock and i key are dispensed with, and from the principal institution they graduate through industry and discipline to cottages in the grounds, each of which under the supervision of, an attendant bscomos the home of about seven or eight of the best behaved. The cottage which came under notice was extremely neat and tidy, the floors polished and the bedrooms a model of neatness. There was a place for everything, and everything was in that place. The dormitories in the principal institution were equally tidy, and neatness in all things seemed the general rule. Even the cowsheds, with their concreted floors, were scrupulously clean. Each of the pupils is taught a trade of some description, and on visiting the various workshops it was clearly demonstrated that all a Burnham boy wanted to do was to exercise his brains and he would be well fitted to compete successfully with those who had been instructed under different circumstances. There are a number of inmates who are at present old enough to learn a trade, and these attend school. These boys up to the present have been advaijged by their own teachers through the various standards, but in the near future the Kducation Board's inspectors will examine hem periodically. During the visit of the Hon. George Fowlds (Minister for Education), Mr Hardy pointed out several urgent requirements at the school, particularly in the way of increased accomodation. It is the Government' 6 intention to supply the material and the boys will undertake the work, which will occupy their time as well as give them wid e experience. It is also stated th:.t the Government intend to erect a number of cells facing the detention yard, and these will be utilised for dealing with youthful criminals who previously have been sent to Lyttelton. It is thought that Mr Archey (the manager) with his experience, would be more capable of effecting reformation than the gaol authorities, and at the same time it would obviate in a large degree any of the stigma which attaches to the gaol being associated with the boys in after years. Mr Hardy, when addressing those present at the sports gathering yesterday, said that it gave him great pleasure to be among" the Burnam boys that day. Burnham was all right so far as its work was concerned, and it wa« doing good work. There were al-

J ways some misfits, but Burnham was l training its boys to become useful memI bers of society He had been at BurnI ham early and late, and was greatly ' pleased at what came under his notice, j ! Those in authority were firm and strict, but kind, and the way they treated ' the boys — well, nothing coujd be i better. Everything was clean, and the place was as tidy as Lincoln Col- , lege; in fact, it was splendid. All j of those in the institution must work, i. every man, woman, and child, and that jwas what kept them out of mischief. 3 ; The speaker went on to say that nothI ing pleased him better than to see a 1 1 Burnham boy doing well. He menk tioned several instances of young men } greeting him in the street, and in--1 forming him of the excellent progress | they had made. He did not want Burnham boys to become Lyttelton 3 Gaol birds, but . useful men. He paid 5 a high tribute to. Mr Archey (the . manager) and his staff for the excei- ! lent manner in which they treated the , lads. Mr Archey had the- way of telling them so quickly and kindly to do their work, and they did it directly. Mr Hardy went on to say that there ' were 111 boys in the institution, and ; 54 boys who were out at work, but not . yet discharged were visited by Mr Ar- ] chey.. The ( Government also sent down < its own inspectors, and he was very I pleased to see one of them present that | day. ' Mr Hardy detailed the success of ] several of the old boys since their dis- i charge, one having obtained a position ' in the Public Service, while others « throughout the Dominion were do- < ing well at various trades. In conclu- i sion he said that if the boys never dis- i graced Burnham it would never dis- i grace them. *