Catholic Industrial Schools

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 08, 8 October 1908, Page 11

Catholic Industrial Schools

In his annual report on industrial schools, the Minister of Education states there were seven Government schools and four private schools in existence last year. The total number belonging to all schools whose maintenance was a charge against the public funds was 1441. Of this total, 392 were resident at Government schools and 329 at private schools, the numbers boarded out with foster-parents for payment being 687. The net expenditure on the private schools was 3s 3d. On December 31 last there were 519 children on the books of the four Catholic Industrial Schools, being an increase of three on the previous year. The following particulars show the distribution of the inmates in the Catholic schools :— St. Mary's (Auckland), 147; St. Joseph's (Wellington), 49; St. Mary's (Nelson), 262; St. Vincent dc Paul's (South Dunedin), 61.- From, this it will be seen that there were 190 inmates in Catholic Industrial Schools for whom the Government did not paye'anything. The total amount in the Post Office Savings" Bank to the credit of the earnings accounts of young people now under the control of industrial schools, or who formerly belonged to them, was .£22,084 9s iod at the 31st December, 1907. Of this amount, iSs iod was held on account of Government schools, and .£,4569 1 is for private schools. Regarding St. Mary's Industrial School (girls), Ponsonby, Dr. Darby reports as follows :— ' I have inspected thoroughly every department of the establishment, and find drainage, water supply, etc., in good order. The children are well clothed and well fed. The dormitories are kept exceedingly clean and sufficiently ventilated. The children's bed-covering is ample, and suited for the season. Every care is taken by the Mother Superior, Sister Mary Francis, to insure thorough cleanliness and happiness amongst the large number of inmates under her immediate control.' Dr. Mackin reports as follows on St. Joseph's Industrial School (girls), Wellington :— ' I made my annual examination on the 4th June, 190S, and found the inmates happy, contented, and in the best of health. The dormitories, class, dining, and work rooms were scrupulously clean and tidy. The ventilating and sanitary arrangements are all that can be desired. Sister Ambrose is still in charge of the institution, and under her good management the health of the children is well looked after.' Reporting on St. Mary's Industrial School (boys), Stoke, Dr. Bett says :— ' During the year ended the 31st March, 1908, the health of the boys at the Stoke Orphanage has been good on the whole. At the end of August, 1907, there was an epidemic of pharyngitis and laryngitis, apparently influenzal in character. One boy died from laryngeal obstruction during this epidemic I performed tracheotomy on him, but he ceased breathing soon after the. trachea was opened. On the occasions of my visits the condition of the dormitories and offices has been satisfactory. None of the boys punished suffered in health therefrom. The septic tank is now working satisfactorily. The management of the whole institution appears satisfactory.' The following is Dr. O'Neill's report on the St. Vincent de Paul Orphanage, South Dunedin :— ' I am pleased to state that the health of the inmate, continues in a very satisfactory state. Little sickness> arid nothing of an infectious nature, manifested itself during the year. One death— the first in two years— took

place, an infant succumbing to 'acute laryngitis. The sanitary arrangements are excellent, and all hygienic details, the feeding and clothing of the children, are capably attended to by the Rev. Mother Superior and Sisters.'