H.—lii

1880. NEW ZEALAND.

CAVERSHAM INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL: (REPORT OF COMMISSION APPOINTED TO INQUIRE INTO THE WORKING AND MANAGEMENT OF).

Laid upon the Table by the Hon. the Minister of Education, by leave of the House.

No. 1. The Hon. the Minister of Education to W. L. Simpson, Esq. Sib, — Education Department, "Wellington, 13th July, 1880. The Government, in compliance with a request which has been made to them, have deemed it advisable that an inquiry should be made into the management of the Otago Industrial School at Caversham. I have the honor to request you to be good enough to consent to hold the proposed inquiry, in conjunction with Mr. A. C. Strode, of Dunedin. It is not thought necessary that a commission should be issued by the Governor. Should you and Mr. Strode favour the Government with your services, I will send you the correspondence on the subject, which contains a statement of the matters respecting which an inquiry has been sought. If, after .consideration of the correspondence, you should consider it necessary to examine witnesses on oath, a commission by the Governor will be issued in the usual way. I shall be obliged by your kindly replying by telegram. I have, &c, W. L. Simpson, Esq., E.M., Dunedin. Wai. Eolleston. [Note. —Similar letter to above sent to Mr. A. C. Strode.]

No. 2. The Hon. the Ministee of Education to W. L. Simpson, Esq. (Telegram.) Wellington, 26th July, 1880. Se Industrial School inquiry. Please look into correspondence with Eev. Davis concerning clergymen's visits for religious instruction, and report thereon, and recommend best and fairest course to follow regarding such visits, so as to make satisfactory provision without unduly interfering with general education, and the proper routine work of the institution. Also please inquire into and recommend generally as to best arrangements both for the inmates of school and children placed out on all points which appear to you and Mr. Strode deserving of consideration. Further correspondence just received will be forwarded by post to-day. W. L. Simpson, Esq., Dunedin. War. Eolleston.

No. 3. Mattebs to be inquired into re Cavershain Industrial School. 1. To inquire whether the children mentioned in the return laid upon the table of the Legislative Council have been placed out under His Excellency the Governor's power of delegation, clause 7, Abolition of Provinces Act; and, if not, by what authority have they been so placed. 2. To inquire by what process six boys and nineteen girls have been adopted—some of the latter by single men apparently- —there being no power of adoption in either the English or Scottish law. And may not adoption prove to be synonymous with slavery ? 3. To inquire whether the master of the Industrial School applied to a Eesident Magistrate for permission to return certaiii children to their prostitute mother, and, notwithstanding the committing Magistrate's indignant refusal, the children were so returned. 4. To inquire whether there may not be other and similar cases to the above. 5. To inquire into the following system which prevails in Dunedin: A vagrant with a child at the breast is brought before the Police Court, the woman is committed to the gaol, and the infant, probably a few months old, is sent to the Industrial School. Two vears ago six of these unfortunates, I—H. IH.