BLIND INSTITUTE INQUIRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11825, 30 November 1901, Page 5

BLIND INSTITUTE INQUIRY.

MR. BRABANT'S REPORT.

IMPORTANT SUGGESTIONS. [by telegraph.— press association.] ; Wellington, Friday. Tub report of Mr. Brabant, S.M., who was appointed to inquire into the management of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind at Auckland, 'has been forwarded to the Education Department. The list of charges formulated against Mr. and Mrs. Tighe, principal and matron, were as follows:—(1) Thai the food supplied to the inmates, was of inferior quality, badly cooked and insufficient; V-i that tho principal had on several occasions assaulted the inmates; (3) that the principal did not give proper instruction to the inmates; (4) that the principal at times used intemperate language to inmates and others; (5) that the matron harshly treated children, and did not attend on the inmates when sick; (6) that racehorses and coursing dogs were kept at the institute, and that the principal's sporting tastes bring discredit on the institute, and interfere with his duty. •■ Mr. Brabant condemns the system o* boarding by tho prinoipal, who receives one shilling per day per head from the trustees. The food sent to the men was at times inferior and defioieut, but latterly an improved arrangement had been made, and inquiry showed it satisfied tho majority of the men. Throe were still dissatisfied, but they were unable to show good grounds for their continued discontent. With regard, to the charges of assault, Mr. Brabant says: "Mr. Tighe is evidently of hasty temperament, and in respect of'some of the charges made he frankly admitted they were true, and expressed regret." Mr. Brabant found some of tlte charges* were trumped up. He disapproved of the action of Mr. Tighe in caning an unruly male inmate. Mr. Tighe was # accused of indecent conduct towards four girls, but Mr. Brabant says he certainly was not satisfied that the. incident as alleged ever occurred. Mr. Brabant does not think there is any ground for the complaint that the principal did not properly instruct the inmates. With reference to the statement that the principal used intemperate language to inmates, Mr. Brabant found it proved he had done so, but Mr. Tighe is trying to curb a habit he contracted in the bush in Australia. The statements that Mrs. Tighe harshly treated children- and did not attend to the sick, were not proved; on the contrary, it was proved she had been very kind to the children. Mr. Brabant considers Mr. Tighe's sporting tastes must interfere with tho due performance of his duties. In conclusion Mr. Brabant states that the most serious charges were not made out, but he thought enough had been proved to make it incumbent on the trustees to seriously consider if Mr. Tighe can bo retained as prinoipal with advantage to the institute. At the same timo he testifies to the good work of the institute and says that tho money expended has not been wasted. He also pays a tribute to the work of Mr. and Mrs. Tighe, but ho thinks if their services are retained, some person having the sense of sight should bo appointed us manager, to whom they would be directly responsible, and w) o would doubtless prevent the recurrence of some of the irregularities which were mentioned in tho evidence. Mr. Brabant makes several suggestions for improvement of tho institution.