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

The inquiry was resumed on Monday. Mr. Norris, the secretary, said the cost of maintenance of the inmates was £2 4s 8d per'monlh so far as pensioners were concerned. The Commissioner commented on the inclusion of funeral expenses in this estimate. Such expenses could not be said to form part of the inmates' maintenance. Mr. Norris said he did not know how else to charge them. With regard to children, he strongly favored the boarding-out system as against the cottage homes. Mr. Norris, secretary to the Charitable Aid Board continuing his evidence, said he asked the commissioner to consider whether it was at alt likely that he ' dominated ' the Board, as alleged by Mrs. Wells. During lus connection with the Board he had had to deal with about a hundred people, and with very few exceptions indeed he had never had the least trouble with them. It was hardly credible that such men would allow him to influence their action and feelings. He believed the Board would know how to deal with him should he attempt to ' boss ' them. Many of the members had taken a great interest in the work, and had frequently conierred with him. If other members had cared to, they could have obtained the same information, and probably there would not have been the necessity for so much of the commissioner's time to be taken up. He had told Mrs. Wells often that he .should be delighted to give her any information he could. Mrs. Henderson used frequently to talk with him about matters concerning the work of the' Board, and it was always a pleasure to exchange views. He denied that his system had been one of blockade, or negation, or that Mrs. Wells had been deliberately kept off the institution's committee. Fourteen months ago all three ladies wanted to be on the Charitable Committee, but the number was limited to seven. A ballot was taken to increase the number to eight, and if the members of Mr. Harper's 'little caucus ' had not all done what they promised to do Mrs. Wells would have been left off that committee. Iltf could not say all he felt in regard to Mrs. Wells, as ho had no wish to be disrespectful. They had never quarrelled, but it was unfortunate that at times Mrs. Wells had showed strong feelings. He was afraid it was against himself. It was .a very delicate subject. The Commissioner : Say what is in your mind Mr Norris. Get rid of it, and you will feel better. ' Witness : Well, then, I am sorry to say so, but I am fairly and honestly convinced tfiat Mrs. Wells has been actuated by a desire to get me out of my position. Continuing, he contended that when going through the accounts it was his duty to ask for particulars when discovering a big item, without intending to stint the orphanage. Mrs. Carpenter had a free hand to order what she considered necessary, and he had never had the slightest desire to stint tho orphanage of supplies. Everything was done by the order of the committee, but it seemed to be assumed that he was continually doing things of his own accord. He did not think that the public generally had any idea of the amount of work that the Charitable Aid Board had to do. Some thought he had a bed of roses, but he had been a slave to the Board, and devoted the best years of his life to it. He could not help regarding the movement as a direct attempt to get him out of his position. Witness asserted most emphatically that there had been no deliberate attempt to keep Mrs. Wells off the institution's committee. He did not think any member cared a snap of the finger whether Mrs. Wells was on the committee or not. Personally, he should be very glad to sec her on the committee. It was not a fact that meetings of the institution's committee frequently lapsed owing to the absence of the chairman (Mr. Dobson). The meetings Avcre irregular, being called as occasion required. Witness would ask the chairman if it was advisable to call a meeting, and if Mr. Dobson instructed him he would convene a meeting. There was no systematic inspection of the orphanage. The matron had practically, a free hand. In regard to the town houses, where children were bparded put, it was left to the discretion of the inspector as to when any report should be made He thought 7s 6d a week was a fair charge for boarded-out children, seeing that the Government's regular payment was 7s. The inquiry was then adjourned.