THE STOKE ORPHANAGE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 188, 27 July 1900, Page 3

THE STOKE ORPHANAGE.

ROYAL COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY. (FEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Nelson, July 26. The Royal Commission to inquire into the management of the Stoke Orphanage opened to-day. Mr. Harley, who represented the Charitable Aid Board, stated that the limitation of the inquiry te two years seriously hampered the Board. The charges formally made are as follows:—(1) That numerous children, many of tender years, are under the management of unmarried men, and there is no matron about the place ; (2) that punishments are more severe than at Government schools, and too severe for such a school as the Stoke Industrial; (3) that the food is poor, insufficient, and unvaried ; (4) that the | clothing is of-poor quality, not uniform, 'and insufficient; (5) that the work required of the boys was too severe in nature; (6) that boys who died in the institution wore buried in the grounds, though the cemetery was about five miles away; (7) that as the institution is a "private" school under the Industrial Schools Act, it is not open to inspection, though many boys are committed there by Magistrates and others paid for by the Charitable Aid Board. ' Mr. G. M. Rout, Chairman of the Charitable Aid Board, was examined to-day at considerable length, giving evidence as to a surprise visit and developments on the occasion.

Later. At the Stoke Industrial School enquiry, George Rout, Chairman of the Charitable Aid Board, stated that there were 120 to 200 boys, apparently from six years upwards. In May he paid a visit with other members, when he was invited in by Bro. Augustine. He asked to be shown into the locked room, and was told it contained but private belongings, and that the key was in the possession of Bro. Loetus, who was then absent. He saw one room with iron bars to the window, but was told it was used for photography, and the bars were to prevent the boys entering. In reply to a question, Bro. Augustine said thi-y had no rooms used for confining boys, who were never so punished. Witness asked for two boys who had recently absconded, and the Brothersaid they were somewhere about, but he could not find them. Witness then said his visit was in consequence of information that the boys were confined in cells, whereon the Brother said he must confess that they were, and that the bays were together, but Bro, Lcetus had the keys. They then started to return, but seeing Bro. Lastus approaching they turned back, The latter went up the stairs and unlocked the door. Within the room was a cell about seven feet by four. A boy, James Maher, was found within. Tho boy slid ha had been in the cell day and night for eight-days, and had been beaten on the hands. Bro, Lostus stated that boys were confined for as long as they were absent when they absconded. The Brother then led the way to another part cf tho building, where Albert James was in a cell. The boy slid he had been there eight days and had been caned, One of the Brothei s admitted that another lad (Skilton)bad been confined a little over two months. He saw the other boys, and considered they were poorly clad, He paid a surprise visit on the Bfch February, when he found everything satisfactory, but discovered that other visitors were then expected, Thomas Lane, a recent inmate, gave details as to food and clothing, and the punishment and labour of the boys. He said the hardest work was dragging posts down ahi 1. He said the food was insufficient, and the clothing scanty, The' boy admitted running away from work, lie iial lately been m the hospital for five months. Ho had never told the principals that there was not enough to eat.

Mrs. Jane Drummond considered j the clothing worn by James insuDLiant to keep his body warm. j Alexander Anderson, a former in- 1 mate, now a laborer at the institution, had heard a boy who was confined under the tower screaming on several evening?, and heard blows of a stick, Bringing posts down a hill was very hard work. He had heard the boys complain of hunger, and had seen them steal bread. The Commission adjourned,