THE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL AND ITS MANAGEMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6827, 3 October 1883, Page 5

THE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL AND ITS MANAGEMENT.

Under the above heading, Mr. Edward Coates, Ruatuna, Matakohe, writes as follows, on the 22nd September :—ln April 1881, the Rev. J?. Gould kindly applied to the abovo institution for a boy to be placed in my service. Accordingly, on the 19th, a child of nine years 'arrived per steamer, in charge of a lady from Paparoa. The little fellow appeared small for his age, and in anything but a good state of health, and, as I soon found, was suffering from a very objectionable skin disease ; but, with wholesome food and country air, he improved in health, and also in- usefulness, remaining in my service until Monday night last, at which time l can fairly state, a healthier, and better lookiag country boy of eleven years could easily be found. At half-past eight on the night in question, the district constable arrived at my housu with a warrant for the release of the boy, to be forwarded to his father in New South Wales. I remarked that such an unreasonably short notice was not by any moans treating me fairly, and that the boy uould not be cenveniently got ready for sliipmtnt before the next Friday's .steamer, instead of that Monday's boat, and that I would hold myself responsible for. his being forwarded on Friday. Handing me his instructions frojn Inspector Thomson, he reapeottully insisted that the same be carried into effect, and that he would not be doing his duty by leaving my house without the Boy. Finding this the case the poor boy was given over into the " bands of the polioe." Up to the present time no communication has reached me, or notice as to any intention of removing the lad from my service, although some ton months since I was asked if 1 would change tho boy. Now, may I ask is it beneficial to a child's mind or after-life to receive so much unnecessary "police handling?" No; it leaves behind a Eainful and everlasting sense of ahame. I ave been so much paiued and annoyed that I feel it my duty to bring the matter before the public, and so perhaps be the means of saving others from the same treatment. Mr. Coates enclosed a copy of a letter written by Mr. G. ,P. Hogan, manager of the Industrial School, Kohimarama, to the officer in charge of the police at Auckland, in which Mr. Coates is thus not very kindly referred to :— "I fuel that I must ask for police assistance in this case, otherwise the boy will not be returned to Auckland, as Mr. Coates will not be likely to trouble. himself in the matter."