STOKE ORPHANAGE.

NZ Truth, Issue 67, 29 September 1906, Page 4

STOKE ORPHANAGE.

A VISIT TO ST. MARY'S. A Model Home for Boys. (Communicated). In view, of the disclosures that have recently been made about the manner m which the Burnham Industrial School is conducted, a correspondent of "Truth" paid a surprise visit to the Stoke Orphanage one day last week. He writes : A beautiful drive of a little over four miles from Nelson landed the party at the Orphanage brick kiln, and on the object of the visit being made known to the manager, Mr Matthews, that gentleman conducted us over the works. In this place, which is capable of turning out forty thousand -bricks a week, about twenty hands are kept going, but m Nelson they are never required to set a very solid pace, though last year their output amounted to twelve hundred thousand. There is an unlimited supply of good yellow clay on the spot, so with Nelson's building trade going ahead the kiln should provide work for the hands for many years to come. After being shown round and inspecting the bricks m their various conditions, the carriage was again sought, our objective being the Orphanage. A drive along a typical N.Z. country road, with beautiful verdant hedges on each side bounding large tracts of vividly green < oats eventually brought the party to the gates of the main portion of the Orphanage grounds. On entering the gates we passed scores of small boys who greeted the travellers with a smile and a raised cap. Then we noticed a fine crop of hops and the beautiful gardens and lawns, all showing evidence of great attention. Ar-lved at the door, the manager of the institution, Mr W. Beach, greeted us and t showed us over the building, a brick structure with a tiled roof. Hanging over the main entrance is a large photo of the late Dean Mahonev. who was formerly m charge of the Orphanaptf and who was much admired b^ the residents of Nelson. A feature that immediately takes theeye is the cleanliness of the place. Though the building has now been finished over twelve months and is used by over 100 boys, there is not

a spot of dirt to be found by the most searching eye. The floors are scrubbed ami polished every morning, and the whole interior reflects the greatest credit on Mr and Mrs Beach and their staff. Two very large, dormitories arc used by the , wails,, .and the bod clothes, wore, all scrupulously clean. There are innumerable baths with hot and cold water, and a large dressing-room adjoining, and the boys are taught that cleanliness is next to Godliness. The lad's spiritual as well as their temporal welfare is well cared for, there being a chapel where service is conducted every morning. The class-rooms consist of a large hall with folding doors to make the necessary subdivisions, and Mr Beach has a staE of three, teachers with him, whilst the good Mrs Beach controls the domestic affairs of the home. When it is mentioned that a hundred and twenty mouths have to be filled every day it will be at once recognised that there is not much spare time on the matron's hands. School was out during our visit, and on looking over the grounds knots of boys were observed playing different games, while others were reading and some were performing various outside duties. The buildinp is lighted with acetelyne gas which is generated on the premises, and detaohed from the main building is the hospital, which is provided with a kitchen and everything- necessary for a complete isolation m the event of an epidemic breaking out. The manager stated with pride that so far the hospital had been a white elephant and had not been used. Swimming baths are to be. erected durin- the year, and more farm work will be provided for. Already enough wheat is cropped to supply the bread for the establishment and the manager hopes that m the course of time the institution will be self-sup-porting. After discussin"- various topics with Mr Beach, afternoon tea was announced and was handed round by one of the boys, who showed by his erraceful, manners that the better side of vout'h can be brought to the surface even m an Orphanage. The whole place had a healthy air I about it arid the boys all seemed to lead a harmv life. It is interesting I .to know that durins: the whole time that the new building hasbenn erected there has not been an absconder from the Orphanage, but on the contrary cases have occurred where boys have been drafted out to billets and have written asking to be allowed to come "home," and this is not surprisinfr. for the "waifs and strays" m this fa.iriland are well provided for at St. MaiVs Orphanage. Stoke.