E.—3b

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development. Therefore, the start they have in life will be inferior instead of equal to that which the average boy gets, and they will probably fall back into the condition from which they have beenTsaved by the State. That is my reason for saying that the dietary scale is not too liberal. 1. Mr. Wardell.] When children are in alow state of development you consider it is desirable to give them a full diet, then ?—Yes, or they will be forced back in the struggle of life. I should like to say that the dietary scale in the ordinary artisan's'and middle-class house does not differ much in New Zealand, so far as my observation goes. I think the difference is only in the method of serving it, and possibly in the variety. I think that if the weekly scale were written down in any ordinary house, it would appear much more attractive than perhaps it appears from memory to those who have been accustomed to see it. "With respect to the staff at Burnham, in addition to the members mentioned by me on Saturday, there is a laundress. 2. Mr. Fell.] Were you not the Headmaster of the Timaru High School before you received your present appointment, and did that include a boarding establishment ?—Yes. 3. It is what you would term a " Dame's House " in England ?—No, hardly that. 4. How many boarders did you have ?—About fifteen. 5. Was the dietary adopted at this school superior to that at Burnham ?—Superior. 6. Do you mean in point of attractiveness, or nourishment power ?—ln point of attractiveness mainly; in point of nourishment power partly, as there was meat twice a day. 7. From what source did you get your information regarding the Burnham scale ; I understood you were reading from a telegram from the Manager ?—Yes ; and it is in accordance with my own knowledge. 8. Is that scale one imposed upon the institution by Government regulations, or is it left to the discretion of the Manager?— The details of it are left to the Manager. There are no specific regulations. 9. What kind of instructions are given to the management to base this scale upon ?—A manager going there for the first time, seeing the scale in operation, may, from his own knowledge as a man of experience, vary it. An officer of the Department, on visiting the school, may give advice or instruction if he considers the scale is not sufficient in any essential article of diet, or variety, such as fruit, milk, or the amount of vegetables. This scale is the result of such advice being followed. 10. Mr. Wardell.] This is what you have done at Burnham?—Yes; and at Caversham. I dare say, also, the same was done by my predecessor. 11. Mr. Fell.] You are not prepared to give the cost of the various articles under the main heads consumed at Burnham during the year ? —I could not say now; but I could in a few days, perhaps. 12. With reference to the question of management by men, as contrasted with that by men and women, do you consider the management here would be assisted, supposing there were a certain number of female Inspectors who had the right to visit when they chose ?—I do not think Inspectors would be sufficient. 13. You think they ought to be resident in the school to carry out your idea of the matter ?— Yes. 14. Mr. Wardell.] Do I understand that women should be employed for boys of all ages, or only those under a certain age ?—All ages. There are certain things in dealing with growing boys which women understand much better than men. I should not be very dogmatic. I have given my opinion; but I agree that there is a great deal to be said on the side of those who differ from me. 15. Mr. Fell.] With reference to the method of corporal punishment, would you be surprised to know that the governing body of the Marist Brothers forbid punishment on the back, and require it to be done on the hand?—l am aware that, in the opinion of some of the Marist Brothers, punishment on the hand is preferable to that on the back. At the same time, I think it is a mistake. When I speak of punishment on the body I do not necessarily mean on the bare skin. I would guard a boy's self-respect, I would have at least one garment on, or, say, shirt and trousers. 16. Mr. Harley.] What is the maximum punishment a boy should receive ?—I have given a boy of seventeen eight strokes on the back with a cane. Twelve might probably be given as a maximum, with a light, pliable cane. 17. Mr. Fell.] Up to what age are boys kept at Burnham ?—Usually up to fourteen; but service-boys returning from service, or boys perhaps rather hard to control, are kept longer. There may be one or two of seventeen or eighteeen ; but not often. There is always a good number between fifteen and sixteen. 18. So long as they stay they are kept by the State ? —Yes; but they work on the farm, and thus do not increase the expenditure. - 19. How long are they kept at St. Mary's ?—I have looked into the figures. The Government pay for boys up to fifteen at Stoke. The salaries at Burnham in 1898 amounted to £971, with rations ; and in 1899 to £1,000, as nearly as possible, with rations. The cost per inmate per week has varied during the last few years. In some respects it has been more expensive. From 1897 to 1899 it varied from 7s. 2d. to Bs. 3d., as near as I can tell. There is a check on that for boys sent to Burnham. The Charitable Aid Boards are charged 6s. 6d., so that it may be said they are not charged with any of the cost of supervision. For boarded-out children at foster-homes, between one year and twelve years old, we pay 6s. a week, and provide them with clothes at the outset and when they go to service, in addition to bearing expenses of supervision, occasional medical attendance, &c. That applies to Burnham, Caversham, Auckland, and the Girls' Eeformatory that is being established. There are none boarded-out at Stoke, or only one or two. 20. Mr. Fell.] How long has the dietary scale at Burnham been in operation ?—lt has been substantially the same for some years past. It has been improved by introducing a greater variety of fresh vegetables, as the gardening operations have been extended considerably.