Stoke Orphanage Enquiry

Southland Times, Issue 14712, 3 August 1900, Page 3

Stoke Orphanage Enquiry

-♦ (By Telegraph.) Nelson, Aug. 1. At the enquiry to-day Dr Roberts, m< dica! officer to the institution, said there had only been tr fling ailments at tiie sjhoil f^r two years. Considering the clisi of boys they were particularly healthy and aef iraa he faw, wellnourished. The boys always spoke to him favourably of the institution. Mustard and water was not bis prescription, but it was better to nse mustard, the ac'ion of whioh was known, than patent medicine?, whose action no one knew. Tho reeults showed that no harm came. Could not .ay that he had seen anything to indicate that aay suffered from ill feeding or ill clothing. A nervous boy would suffer nnre th m others from solitary confinement ; a lazy boy might enjoy solitary confinement. As a general rule he would not recommend it. Brother Loetus said he had been a director of the institution eight and half years. The Marist Brothers were French Order, vowed to oelibacy and poverty. The Broth er Provincial resided in Sydney. He had nine Brothers and a Ivy teacher under him. They were French, Irish, Belgian, Australian and English. He detailed the duties of each and described the ordinary work. He admitted errors and mistakes and welcomed the Commission as a great service to them. They wished to come under Government discipline. There had been sameness in the food, but not to the extent stated. He never received a complaint of ineutrjei nt food. He described the present bill of fvre, winding up with fruit and pie in season. The scale had been extended since the visit of the Board. In six and a half years had had co deaths and no pulmonary complaint, and only four deaths, including one as the hospital, in eight and a half years. All were bui led in a public cemetery, adjacent to the school. The boys regarded the hilt work as a holiday, and were never sent more than twice a day. The stairs cell existed on hia arrival, but the tower cell had been constructed by one of the Brothers. The cells were removed af'er the Board's visit as he wished to discontinue solitary confinement in deference to public opinion. Confinement was the punishment fjr absconding and insubordination. He gave the names of 16 boys who had been confined. With the exception of Skelton, no boy had b?en confined more than three weeks. Oae boy was confined because he was a moral danger to the School. Some were taken out each day, others wera not. Skelton was taken out pretty regularly in the afternoons for field work. He did not think the confinement affected health ; most cf the boys prefer, ed it to school work. He would prefer that absconders should be punished by the police. He admitted that Brother Kilian had relvxed his rule somewhat relative to washing. That Brother had a most arduous duty,but no doubt the charges were magnified. Owens complained to bim of being struck on the eye by Kilian. He spoke to Kilian, who applied to be removed at Christmas. He had not been removed because tho Brother Provincial hai not always a qualified man to tike a place. Witness was appointed director of the school by the Superior-General, resident in France. He would accept direction from Dean Mahony, the legal manager, as from a superior, bub did not say tbat Dean Mahony had the power of directing him. The Dean had no power to remove him. The Brother Provincial could remove every one of the Brothers. No one in jNew Zealand j had direct control over witness with respe.t to school work. The Brother Provincial visited S.oke twice a year. Witness had no power to remove a Brother. Dean Mahoney transacted business with the Department aod received money, which was the principal thing. The money was handed to witness and he operated the banking accounb. He rendered no account to the Dean. The profits were banked- to meet contingencies, etc., and would be used to pay off the debt, which was at present £5000. The property belonged to tbe Archdiocese. He did not think the Dean knew of the cells. He was responsible to the Brother Provincial. If Lani was kicked on the head it mast have been six years ago. Mr Bush said tbey had nothing to do with what occurred that time back. Mr Bueh also said the Commissioneri were satisfied of many things — frcm Mr Fell's opening statement. They were palpable. Witness oontinued : If the Department asked the manager for a return of the boys in tbe sohool, he oould not oppose Dean Mahoney coming to the school and oounting the boys as it would not affect the discipline. If any ohange was specifically ordered by the Department he wonld carry it out, but would not feel bound to carry out any change requested by Dean Mahoney, simply as legal manager. The examination will be continued tomorrow. Nelson, Aug. 2. To-day Brother Loetus, further examined, said be was aware tbat Dean Mahoney was appointed under the 11 section of the Act. If the Dean asked for information as manager he would not refuse it, and if he Baid witness was unfit for his position he would take steps to be removed. Mr Hogben .aid this was a different attitude from the previous day. Witness said the idea of moral law and obedience was in bis mind when he spoke, being bound to his Superior in the Order he could not refuse the wishes of ths legal manager — both moral law and legal obligation were binding. The Dean could suspend but not remove him. He would have to await orders from bis Superior where to go to. If the regulations of the Order were contrary to his instructions tho manager would bs bound to obey the Provincial Brother Superior, who was quarantined in Wellington. The Dean would have power to suspend or dismiss an assistant. JJid nob rememb:r telling Mr Thompson, the Inpeotor, that there was no solitary confinement. Mr Hoben said that within limitations solitary confinement was recognised by lhe Department. Witness said he did not remember a conversation with Sir E. Gibbs' regarding punishment. Mr Hogben said that on Sir E. Gibbs' report tbe Inspector-General reported that there was absolutely no corporal punishment given at this school. Witness acknowledged having a bid memory, especially as to dates. He did nob report punishments to the Dean, who had a right to interfere. Believed he did teil the Commissioners that the cell had not been altered. It did not strike him to mention about the window. Some of the Brothers were opposed to cells. Thrashing on the body was discontinued six or seven years ago. No boys bad been put in chains for two years : that book place 5 years ago. Did not consider that theirs was solitary confinement or thab caning on the hands was oorporal punishment. Two boys were put in light well-padded chains to prevent them running away, bub one did g t away. Dr Duff, formerly medical offictr, Btaed that he was aware of the mustard and water treatment, followed by castor oil. It was innocuous and had the best results. Never administered this in his own practice. Never knew of an Inmate suffering from a cub head.

Brother Augustine stated thab the boys were always glad to go op the hill. He never heard that the boys were ir sufficiently fed. The evidence given re the cells was practically correct ; he never opposed that form of punishment. Father George Mahoney, chaplain, aaid he visited the eohool four times a week and never heard of confinement till recently. On the whole the relations of the boys and the Brothers were kindl) . The boys were brought up hardily. Had addrcB3ed the boys ju9t before the Commission sat as a mutinous spirit prevailed, but never told them to say nothing against the orphanage nor threitened them. Might have referred to Mr Rout. Dean Mahony gave a history of the institution. He said female assistants were found unsatisfactory and this led to the Mamti taking charge, witness retaining the position of manager. Had always exercised authority over the school and received obedience from the Brothers. The boys were kept in charge of Nuns till 9 or 10 year) old. He said Mr Hogben had clearly Bhown he had no power to tou^h a penoy of the boys' savings. He would welcome the appointment of male and female visitors. Was not aware that punishment was inflicted, and Grst heard of the confinement through the newspapers. Did not approve of such punishment. Never heard a complaint about the food, and never received a complaint about the c'o'hing. He knew that the health of the b'< ya was remarkable. He did not think the food was sufficini ly varied. Had changed his opinion since 1893 and now thought boys with criminal tendet.cies were better k pt in a 9ep»rate plac.*, where the control woulJ be more rigid. He now saw he shoull have enquired rtlativo to the pun'shment". The Comm ssioners will visit the orphin- I age to-morrow and quet>t:on the boys, but will not admit the pre-s ; the dtsire being not to make the enquiry formidable to the inmates.