REMARKABLE EPISODE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9193, 24 March 1908, Page 1

REMARKABLE EPISODE.

THE USE OF A BOOK. During the inquiry at Te Oranga yesterday, an unpleasant episode occurred. Miss Howden,- 'an , ex-attendant and clerk at the Home, was recalled to testify to certain allegations that the records of the punishments had not been properly made in the punishment book, in accordance with the regulations. In support of her statements,; she produced a email note-book, from which she quoted certain entries. She stated that Miss Hunt, the submatron, initiated her into the work, and instructed her into the method of recording the punishments. A record had to be made out from the daily memoranda on a rough sheet and taken in for the matron's approval. In some cases the matron oaused her to alter the entries, such as changing a record of "in cell" to "in cell and detention yard." She never entered the punishments into the record-book without the previous approval of the matron, who had told her to make herself cognisant of the regulations, and never to enter punishments exceeding what were allowed. At this point, Miss Huntj the sub-, matron, interrupted, saying, "That/ is any book. I lost it ! " On being questioned, Miss"* Howden said that she took the book in order to protect herself. Mr Bishop : " Apparently it is not an official book of the institution. It belongs to someone, and by no possible reasoning has Miss Howden any right to it." Miss Howden admitted that she took the book purposely in order to bear out her statements. Miss Hunt said that the book was a private book, which she carried as a pooket-book, in order to enter up things that niigh. have occurred during the day. She had missed it for some time, and though she had looked for it everywhere, she did not like to say it had been stolen. Miss Howden : "It has nothing whatever in it except what refers to the institution." < Miss Hunt : "I gave Miss Howden no authority to take itl It was left in the desk." Mjss Howden said it -Hj_s the book

used to enter the punishments in, and was therefore an official book, from which the punishment book was made UP. V, N Mr Bishop said that such entries should not have been made in a private bookj whereupon Miss Hunt said that it was simply used as a reminder. \ Miss Howden: "I took it to protect myself." _$r Bishop: "At what period did you think you would have to protect yourself?" Miss Howden : " t knew I would have to do so. I had not been justly dealt with, and th-_> matron did no, always tell the truth, so I took it." Mr Bishop: " Mi6s Howden's action was quite unjustifiable. If it is a private book, I cannot use it." To Mr Salter: "Your main point is that the punishment book is not kept according to regulations, so that the door is left open to abuse? " Mr Salter : " Mrs Branting denies that she had any sheet offered to her for approval, to be entered afterwards. Miss Howden says that was done. The matron did not make the alterations herself. Miss Howden did so at her dictation." Mr Bishop: "I am not going to use that booK. I cannot impound private property when it is in the hands of an adverse person, into .whose hands it has come improperly.'' Miss Howden : " I didn't come by it improperly!" Mr Bishop : " But you certainly didl" Mr Salter: "This is a private grievance between Miss Hunt and Miss Howden. You have proved, your main • point."