E.—3b

62

an old English remedy. It is not an alien method. I found it in vogue when I came to _ the school. Drs. Duff and Eoberts, who have been the medical officers of the school during my time, have been aware of the practice, and have not disapproved of it. When a boy has a headache or is bilious he is given the mustard-and-water and put to bed. Soon afterwards he falls into a nice soothing sleep, and when he wakes up he is ready for his meals and has no more headache. The strength of the mustard-and-water is according to the strength of the boy. I and every Brother except one have taken it. I thought the effect was magic on me, anyhow. It has also been used in cases of influenza. The boys are also given castor-oil. Some of the boys do not like it; but many of them do, and come for it. 52. Mr. Fell] You have a medical officer attached to the institution ?—Yes; Dr Koberts. it there is any serious ailment, it is reported to him at once. 53. During the last two years have there been many cases that have not been effectively remedied by the mustard?— Only one, that we had to report to the doctor, for whom we have little need. There is one boy in the Hospital suffering from bad blood. 54. Mr. Wardell.] Which doctor attended to the one case you speak of?— Dr. Eoberts. 55. Mr. Fell.] Has there been any case of any sort of pulmonary disorder among the boys ?—No ; not one. Not even the appearance of it. At present there is no cough among the boys. This has been the ordinary experience during my time. 56. There have been during your time some deaths ?—None for the last six years and a half. During the last eight years and a half four boys have died, including one who died in the Hospital. . 57. Where are boys who die buried?—ln the public cemetery within the grounds ot the institution. Two Brothers have been buried there ; also Mr. Patrick Byrne, of Richmond—the lastnamed by special request. 58. Describe the boys' clothes. We have heard of what is called the picnic or visitors suit I —We call it the gala suit. We generally buy these from the shops in Nelson. Not long ago we bought two hundred of the suits from Sclanders and Co. These are complete suits—coat, waistcoat, and pants. These are used on special occasions—when visitors come, or boys go out. Sunday suits are made of this material. [Sample produced.] I import it from France. It is very durable and warm stuff. When the suits become dingy the boys wear them as their everyday suits. Sometimes they require to be patched, and the boys learning the tailoring trade in charge of one of the Brothers do the patching. At present eight boys are learning the tailoring trade. They are taught machine-work as well. The- trousers are made out of the same stuff. This material [sample produced] is also got from Prance. It is a French linen, and commonly used by the working classes in France. It is very good, durable, and warm. We make the shirts from it. We get the hats from the shops. 59. Do the boys wear any under-jersey or singlet ?—They do not, except one or two, neither winter nor summer. Of those who have them some get them from their mothers. Bach boy has a woollen guernsey, like the ordinary football guernsey. During the past few years we have got the boots from Messrs. O'Brien and Co., Christchurch. They are first-class boots, and nailed. Those who wear knicker suits wear long stockings. Bach Brother in charge of boys has to supply his boys with stockings from the stock. When the supply ran out he would come to me for a new 60. I understand from one boy that the boys wear the socks without washing till they wear out, and then throw them away. Is this so?—I could not answer for that. I always supply sufficient stockings. During the last three years 301 dozen pairs have been purchased, including 53 dozen supplied by Mr. Allan in June. 61. Was the previous stock practically exhausted when you bought those from Allan !-— les; practically. „ „ 62. Mr. Wardell] Have all the stockings referred to been obtained from the same source 1— No; from three different places in town. 63. Mr. Fell.} You have prepared a short statement showing the total income and expenditure during the last two years ?—Yes; I will read the items of approximate expenditure : — £. s. d. Wages .. .. •• •• •• •• •• .. 311 16 0 Rates, insurance, and intereet .. .. .. . • • • • • 797 16 0 Bread (besidea 1,100 bushels wheat grown on the premises and consumed as flour) 49 5 j<s ° Meat (besides 600 sheep, heifers, cows, and steers grown on the place) .. 89 12 0 Seeds 66 0 0 Boys'clothing 594 0 0 Brothers' keep and expenses .. .. .. • • • • • ■ Mc> v " Groceries •• 560 0 0 Coal .. .. .. •• •■ •• •• •• .. 60 0 0 Ironmongery, roofing-iron, wire, &c. (including stove, £92) .. • ■ 307 10 0 Potatoes (besides 40 tons grown on the place) .. .. ■ • 40 0 0 Painting and glazing .. .. .. - • • • • • ™ n ° Timber 28 0 0 Stationery !„ 2 n Butter (besides what was produced on the place) .. .. " • n n Stamps, and travelling-expenses .. .. . • ■ ■ "Son Carts and harness .. .. .. • • • • • • • • \ ° 0 0 Blacksmiths f ° ° Sheep-dip, binder-twine, &o. .. .. •• ■• •• " am n Pigs and rams for breeding .. .. .. • • • • • • 8 10 0 The total amounts to £4,421 and a few shillings. 64. Mr. Fell] And what were the receipts ?—The total was £4,944 12s. 3d. This leaves a balance of £523 Is. 3d., which is now in the savings-bank for emergencies.