THE WALTHAM ORPHANAGE

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIV, Issue 6, 8 February 1906, Page 3

THE WALTHAM ORPHANAGE

THE COMMISSIONER'S INQUIRY

Ihc adjourned inquiry into the charges concerning the management of the Waltham Orphanage was resumed on Friday before the Commissioner, Mr. Bishop, S.M. Canon Coates spoke strongly in favor of the matron. His experience had been tiiat the children all respected and liked her. However, he thought that the supplies for the orphanage were cut rather fine. Emily Black, a member of the Charitable Aid Board, said that she had visited the orphanage many times'. Everything seemed sqwalid and miserable, and the arrangements for bathing wore very bad. The Board did not look kindly on suggestions for reforms from the women members who sat on it. Mrs. Carpenter was not nt to be matron, as she did not appreciate her responsibilities. She was a fairly efheient inspector, but no matron. Her conversation was coarse, and her reports often ill-advised. The homes in which the children were boarded out were not satisfactory. She believed the secretary dominated the Board more than should be the case. Mrs. Marguerite Williamson, who had been a member of the Wanganui Charitable Aid and Hospital Board, gave evidence m support oi the cottage home system for children. Thomas C. Morris, secretary to 1 lie CharitaMo Aid/ Board for the past twenty years, stated that there had always .been a great deal o[ trouble in connection with the orphanage. The master and matron had to be> dismissed about 1800. Then the Board decided to adopt the boarding-out system, and advertisements were inserted in the papers calling for applications, and demanding full particulars concerning applicants and references to responsible people. About 170 applications were received, and about 40 children were sent out so that a very good selection was made. As many as possible were sent into the country. Witness was personally strongly in favor of boarding-out as against institutionalism. Children were best in homes, but there was a great deal of misunderstanding on the part of the public in regard to boardmg-out. It seemed to be taken for granted that all children boarded-out were under the care of the Charitable Aid Board. The people overlooked the fact that hundreds were boarded out by the Education Boards and by private people. After the Board adopted the system some local ladies very kindly undertook the work of inspection. They did splendid work for about four years, but then the practice dropped into disuse. Then the Board obtained reports from reputable people in the \arious localities. Two Government officers had inspected a number of the homes, and both spoke very favorably of them. Dealing with the visits of inspection made by the special committee previously referred to, witness read the report adopted which found everything satisfactory on the whole and recommended that payment be stopped in only one instance. Payment was stopped, but the woman refused to give tip the children, as they had been placed with her by their various mothers. She still had the children, and apparently the police could do nothing. A little improvement was effected in one or two cases -and three children were taken away Irom homes. As to the amount paid for the boarded-out children witness said he waa rather at a disadvantage, as he was an officer of the Board, and insinuations' and charges had been made which he would have to meet as best he could. After the increase from Gs to 7s a week was decided on he did not receive any instructions from the Board, and, therefore, did not pay the increase, lie did so as soon as he was instructed to do so. It was not to be wondered at that some of the householders keeping children should object to having their houses inspected by seven people driving about in two four-wheeled cabs. They did not object to any one person inspecting the house, but they did object to visiting in 'wholesale quantities/ The Government adopted the boarding-" out system, and paid G-d a week less per child than did the Board: In dealing with the children it was found to "t a sail fact that the majority were illegitimate. If the State would take over that branch, it, might be better for the children. A question to be considered was : Were such children to be treated better than those of the ratepayers ?

In reply to the commissioner witness said that he considered the majority of such children came under the charge of the Board. The commissioner expressed doubts as to that. From Ins own experience, he knew that an enormous number ot children was adopted in Christchurch— nearly all illegitimate. They did not come under the charge of the Board. to The inquiry was adjourned at this stage until 10.30 on Monday.