THE STOKE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2425, 5 September 1900, Page 9

THE STOKE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.

THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSION. WELLINGTON. August 28.

The report di the commission on the Stoka Industrial School was laid on the table of the House this evening. After explaining the constitution of the school, the commissioners deal in detail with the complaint of the Nelson Charitable Aid Board. They find that the complaint " that the punishment of the boys at the school has been, and is, more severe than is allowed at Government industrial schools " has-been established, and that the punishment at Stoke has not been in conformity with the regulations in force in .respect of punishment in Government schools. The charges of flogging on the bare body, within five years of the date of the commission has not been proved, and the commissioners are satisfied that there has been no case of flogging for more than four and a-half years. All the punishment has been much in excess of that authorised at the Government schools. In some cases the confinement has been continuous for an unreasonable period. A supplejack has been freely used, and in some cases with great severity. Violence was also used by two of the Brothers. The commissioners have not proof of any boy having been con- i fined in a dark cell. An old inmate ppoke of the existence of a cell tmder the staircase, but they have no reason to believe any boy has been confined in it during the last five years. These cell punishments were ordered by Brother Loetus as director, without the knowledge of Father Mahoney, the manager. They find no particular fault with the cells vised at Stoke, except that they were too isolated. The cells recently used at Stoke were demolished on June 1, in compliance with a suggestion by members of the Nelson Charitable Aid Board. In regard to the charges of insufficient quantity and the poor quality of the boys' food, the commissioners find that the food supplied atStoke prior to June last was not sufficiently varied, but it was sufficient in quanity and wholesome in quality, and the health of the inmates had not suffered. A new dietary Ecale has since been adopted. With regard to the complaint that boys are poorly and insufficiently clothed, the commissioners express tho opinion that the clothing has been sufficiently good in qiiality, although made of rough material. While it may bo truly said the boys have been poorly clad, the commissioners cannot, in view of the fact that there has been UQ d^a'irli at the school for ovqr six years, and

no cases of pulmonary disease or other illness for more than two years, and that at the present time there is not a cough or cold amongst the 120 boys, say they have been insufficiently clothed. The evidence does not establish the complaint that certain of the work required to be performed by the inmates is too hard, especially for lads of tender years. The boys seemed to regard the outdoor work more as a holiday. The charge " that boys who have died at the school have been buried in the school grounds " is perfectly true, but there is no ground for complaint, as part of the school estate is gazetted a public cemetery. The commissioners state that they visited the school and gave the boys an opportunity of making any complaint. Some of these complaints were trivial, and none were serious. Reviewing the evidence given by inmates and ex-inmates respecting the discipline and management of the school, the commissioners feel a great deal of it was tainted by exaggeration, the result of strong personal antagonism to certain of the Brothers, who have now been removed. 'The management of the school, by the Brothers has not been satisfactory in respect of cleanliness, of body and the clothing of the inmates, while in other directions an improvement might be effected. -The commissioners think that, at least, two women' should be employed at - the Stoke School. Their presence would be of great advantage to tlie institution. The management has not been satisfactory with regard to outside work: The work has been too desultory and unsystematic. " More technical education should be given.-' The system of punishment until quite lately has been unsatisfactory. It has been too severe. Flogging with supplejacks verged on cruelty, but a strap has now been adopted. The use of mustard and water in all cases of indisposition should be discontinued. The fact of Brothers Kilian and Wybertus, who were deservedly unpopular, being retained in their positions for a considerable time after their unsuitability was manifest is a serious blot on the management. The manager (the Rev. Father Mahoney) is blamable for having allowed the management of the school to practically pass out of his hands, but the commissioners recommend that, having regard to the fact that Father Mahoney' s interest Jn the school has been unceasing, that he is personally very much respected by the former and present inmates, and that they hold him innocent of any knowledge of those set critics and shortcomings — which they have condemned, — that he should remain the -approved manager of the school. It will be in the interests of the cchool. to gradually replace the old staff by Brothers unassociated with thi past administration of the school, and of B-itish nationality, and of oheerful disposition. The commissioners, while recommending tthis, recognise that no complaint has been made against the remaining members of the old staff. «The commissioners fee] very strongly that the act should be so amended that all regulations in respect j of the employment, education (other than religioiis institutions), diet, clothing, correction, and industrial training of the inmates shall apply' ta all schools., under the 'act. In mak- ! ing this strong recommendation, -the commissioners are supported % the assurance given by Father Mahoney and the Provincial of the Marist -Brothers that they 'would welcome a change which would put them on the same lines as Government schools. A systeir of classification of the inmates should be adopted and a duly qualified medical man should be appointed to visit the school periodically.

A proposal is on foot in Nelson to recognise the services of the chairman and two members of the Nelson Charitable Aid Board, who were instrumental in instituting the inquiry into the management of the Stoke Orphanage, and shilling subscriptions are being received by a committee, of which Mr A. G. East is secretary.