Burnham Industrial School.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVIII, Issue III, 18 January 1902, Page 127

Burnham Industrial School.

Eighteen miles from Christchurch, oiv the main line of railway, the belts of trees, on the opposite side of the line from the Burnham railway station. mark the site of one of those State institutions in which perhaps the noblest work of the State is carried on. the reclaiming the waifs and strays and unfortunate children — one of the products of modern civilisation. and placing within their reach the education and the training necessary to equip them for the battle of life, and enable them, if they will, to lead worthy lives, and attain prosperity. Over a thousand acres have been set aside by the State for farming purposes, and recent additions to the original buildings make the whole fairly complete. Considerably over a hundred boys are in the institution at present. One of the .most pleasing impressions a visitor gets is the classification of the boys. Two cottage homes are in the immediate charge of two married members of the staff, and the best of the boys are accommodated in them, their surroundings approaching as closely as possible to those of an ordinary home. Those wh<» live in the institution proper are divided into three groups—those of rhe best character, those in rhe probationary class, ami those who require more attention ami supervision. Each of these groups sleeps in a separate dormitory, and as far as possible are kept separate, two separate yards being provided in which the different groups of boys play, while a thirty acre paddock is provided, in which all play under supervision. Since Mr Archex. the present manager, took charge a large vegetable garden of five or six acres has been formeci. and this provides the means of giving practical instruction to the boys in gardening, and at the same time presides abundance of vegetables for the institution. The garden is both laid out and cultivated with much skill, affords a striking object lesson as to what may be grown on a small area of land when efficiently cultivated, and the cultivation is aided by irrigating water and by manuring. This feature of the Bumham Industrial School reflects the highest credi: on Mr Archey. and considering the saving to the State it seems a pity tha* the Department has not provided a greenhouse, this being a necessary adjunct to a garden so extensive and so efficiently worked. The boys rise at six o’clock. and are variously occupied until nine, when the various groups go each To its trade, and the schoolboys to school, all being so engaged until twelve o’clock, and again from halfpast one until four o’clock. A squad of rhe larger boys work on rhe farm, and are taught farming under rhe supervision of the farm manager and his assistant. The farm and vegetable garden provide mutton, bacon, milk, butter, honey, potatoes, and vegetables for the use of rhe inmates. With the exception of rhe brickwork the boys recently built workshops for tailors, shoemakers, and carpenters, and in these groups of the bo vs are

taught these trades under efficient supervision, the products of the various shops being utilised by the inmates. In these workshops the boys receive wages proportionate to th-* work they do. During recreation hours the means are provided for football. cricket, swimming, amt various other games. There is also a good library. Fifty boys form a cade’ corps. These are drilled in up-to-date military drill, and all are regular!* taught physical drill. Twenty-two of rhe boys are very efficiently trained by Mr Duff, and form the well-known Burnham Band. Forty of the boyform a fire brigade, and practice is given each day in the use of the eight-man fire engine, and of the on? and a-ha If inch curricle. The boys practise in squads of eight, and when a fire alarqi is given at night for the purpose of practice the boys are al* out of their dormitories and in the yards in less than three minutes. A system of monetary rewards for good conduct has recently been estab fished, by which each boy may earn from twopence to sixpence per week for pocket money. Each boy is provided with three suits—a knorkabuir. a school, and a Sunday suit, and they look very neat in th*ir Eton collars. All the arrangements ami proceedings in connection with the institution are thorough and practical, and reflect credit on Mr Archey ami hi< efficient staff.