E.—3b

58

wood ? Yes; with willows, bluegum, &c. The boys and Brothers come down, cut it up, and take it away. 135 What are the relations between the boys and the Brothers? Do they seem to be governed with a rod of iron ? Are they under a system of terrorism ? Or what is it ?—The relations, I think, are very good. The boys are not overworked. 136. Have you heard any complaints of any kind ?—No. I have not spoken to the boys very much. 137. How do they go about their work?— Cheerful, and singing. You can hear them for a mile or two sometimes. 137 a. Mr. Bush.] They seem like other boys —happy-go-lucky sort of boys? —Yes. George Noegate, examined on oath. 138. Mr. Fell.] I believe you lately lived on the top of the hill at the back of the Orphanage, and that you owned the land from which the posts were taken ?—Yes; I gave them the posts. 139. How were the posts taken out ? —So far as I know, they were taken out by the boys. I have seen them. "•■ 140. Just describe this work ?—I do not think they were ever hurt by the amount they had 141. It has been suggested that they went up the hill four times a day ? —I do not believe it — not a word of it. I have not seen them do it more than twice. 142. Mr. Harley.] You do not believe they were sent up four times a day : why ? —Because they could not do it in the time. I was up there part of the time, and lived there while they were getting some posts. They could not do four times; but if you give me 10s. a day I will do it three times a day for a week. I could do it four times. My little pony has taken up 2 cwt. of iron twice a day. William Beenabd Condell, examined on oath. 143. Mr. Fell.] You are a farmer at Stoke, and have lived there a great many years ?—-Yes ; thirty years. 144. I believe you have frequent opportunities of seeing the Brothers and the inmates at the Orphanage ?—Yes ; frequently —almost every day. 1 have service there. Igo in and out when I like. 145. Is there ever any attempt to hinder you? —Never. t 146. Mr. Wardell.] In what capacity do you go ?—As a friend and neighbour ; and good neighbours they are too. I have borrowed from them as a neighbour. 147. Mr. Fell.] What are the relations between the Brothers and the inmates?— Very friendly. I have seen them at work. I have known them to ask the Brothers for permission to chase or trap hares, rabbits, and birds. Permission has always been given. 148. The Brothers did not take a stick to the boys for leaving their work?—l have never seen a Brother with a stick in his hand. 149. Have you ever heard any complaints as to the food, &c. ?—No. 150. Mr. Wardell.] Have you been in conversation with the boys? —Yes, frequently. As regards food, I have seen the remains of a dinner given to the fowls, and have remarked the amount that has come from the table. 151. Mr. Fell.] Were you ever there at meals ?—Not with the boys. I have had meals with the Brothers. I have passed through the boys' dining-room. James Best, examined on oath. 152. Mr. Fell.] You were working on the top of the hill for Mr. Norgate when the boys were getting the posts down ?—Yes. 153. Will you describe the work?— After the posts were split the boys would carry them up the hill. The boys were not overworked. They were as merry as crickets. 154. Can you say whether any boys went up and down the hill four times a day ?—I never knew them to go more than twice. 155. Did any ever grumble at having to do too much ?—No. 156. Do you know anything of the home life in the Orphanage? —No. I have been there at shearing time. 157. Are the relations between the boys and the Brothers friendly ?—I have never seen them otherwise. 158. Mr. Bush.] Are the posts green or dry ?—Dry. They have been cut down nearly two years—the winter .before last. Eobeet Allan, examined on oath. 159. Mr. Fell] You are a draper, carrying on an extensive business in Nelson, and you have an Orphanage boy with you at present ?—Yes. —^ 160. What sort of a boy is he? —Not a bad sort of boy, but incline, to be untruthful. 161. Have you heard any complaints from him as to his treatment at the Orphanage? —No. The reverse. The first month he was with me he cried every day to go back to the Orphanage. 162. What is his name?— James Walsh. 163. Is he reconciled now to the change ?—I do not think so. I think he would willingly go back to-morrow. 164. You had another boy from the Orphanage before that ? —Yes ; Lane. 165. What sort of a boy was he ?—A very untruthful boy. 166. Was he sick ?—He appeared to be all right till about three days before he left, when he complained of pains in his body. I attended to him and made him take some medicine. He ap-