TE ORANGA HOME INQUIRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13692, 7 March 1908, Page 6

TE ORANGA HOME INQUIRY.

TREATMENT OF GIRLS.

"UNDER BOLTS AND BARS."

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

ChRISTCHXTROH, Friday. THE inquiry into the management of the Te Oranga Home was continued to-day.

Margaret Early, resident nurse and formerly matron of the Samaritan Home, said that a certain girl had been sent to the Samaritan Home from the Court in 1905.

The Commissioner said that the papers showed that he had sentenced the girl nominally to imprisonment with a view of being able to send her to the Te. Oranga Home. Miss Early said that the girl was sent from the Court to the Samaritan Home. She remained there three weeks, and was then committed to the Mental Hospital. The nurses at the Mental Hospital informed witness that the girl did not show symptoms of insanity. Mr. Russell: She was examined by two doctors and the, magistrate before she was sent there. The girl had suicidal tendencies. Miss Early said that she next- heard that the girl had been removed from the Mental Hospital. In July last Mrs. Blunting telephoned to find if witness would take her back to the Samaritan Home. In response to this message she told Mrs. limiting to make arrangements with Mr. Sorensen, the chairman of the home trustees. As a result the girl was received back into the Samaritan Home. She was at first rather excitable and nervous, and inclined to quarrel with the other girTS. Later, however, she improved, and became very good-natured and obliging and most amenable to discipline. After three months had elapsed Mrs. Branting wanted the girl back again, saying that she would keep her under bolts and bars. Witness desired to keep the girl in the Samaritan Home, and at her request Mr. Sorensen saw the matron on the subject, with a view to the girl being sent to service. Mr. Sorensen, however, reported that Mrs. Branting had accused the girl of such terrible things that he could not be a party to sending her to any home where there were children. Witness considered that Mrs. Branting had no reason to say such a thing after the girl had been in the Samaritan Home nearly a year. She suggested again that she should be sent out to service, and that if Mrs. Branting would not consent, a higher power should be invoked. Mrs. Bean, wife of the Rev. Mr. Bean, Addington, took an interest in the girl, and offered to pay her 12s a week as a domestic servant. Mrs.. Bean approached Mrs. Branting, who repeated that she was going to keep the girl under bolts and bars, and protect the country from the likes of her. Mrs. Bean got into communication with the Minister, and as a result witness was informed by Mrs. Branting that the girl was to have » chance, provided witness accepted responsibility. Witness accepted the conditions, but later on she was informed that instead of the girl going to a situation she was to go back to Te Oranga. Witness was in a great dilemma, as the girl had been told that she was to go to a. situation. The upshot was that the girl was taken back to Te Oranga for a fortnight, and then went to a situation with Mrs. Bean, where she had remained ever since, and was doing well. ....:■/■«<■

In reply to Mr. Russell, the witness said that she knew that the. girl was sent ,to the Samaritan Home first on the application of Mrs. Bi anting, and that she was still under the control of the Education Department.

You know- that this girl had attempted to commit, suicide? —I. knew that she had talked about it. A lot of girls are like that. I don't believe that she wanted to. do it.

Did you know that it took three or four girls to hold her tr> prevent her committing suicide? —I didn't know that.

H. B. Sorenseu, formerly cliairman of the Samaritan Home Trust, said that lie was acquainted with this particular case. He .-aid that when lie received the report from Mrs. Branting about two girl, he considered if it was correct, it would not be safe- to send the- girl to a place where she would take charge of children.

Mr. Salter": What did Mrs. Hi anting say about the girl?— said that her mother had died in an asylum, that the girl was very excitable, and that she was inclined to sumo laxity in morals.

Continuing his evidence, the witness stated that after a time he had no objection to sending the girl out to' -.service. Someone got. into communication from Wellington, and a suggestion was made that the trustees wished to get. rid of the girl, but that was incorrect. The girl, though a bit excitable, .improved greatly while in the Samaritan Home.

After further evidence the inquiry was adjourned until Monday.