E.—3b

86

90. Which boys liked the work—the boys who had to bring the posts out of the bush, or the others? —It all depended. The boys who carried the posts out of the bush sometimes had short stages ; sometimes long ones. Sometimes it was only 20 yards; sometimes it was 50 yards or 60 yards at a time. It was longer for hop-poles. 91. Mr. Wardell.] Did any of the boys regard going up the hill as a picnic ?—Perhaps a few did. The majority did not. 92. Mr. Fell.] How far did you have to carry the posts up the hill altogether ? —The furthest place down was about half a mile. 93. Which boys liked this work?—l cannot name them. A few of them preferred it to school. 94. Some of the boys last week said that all were very glad to go up. Was this all false ? — Yes. 95. When you say you went up and down four times, do you mean all the way ?—Sometimes we carried posts to the boundary—about 100 yards above the recreation-ground. We would then go up again, and fetch another load to the same place. We then had dinner, and went back again twice in the afternoon. 96. Mr. Wardell.] That was two journeys from the foot of the hill, and two journeys from the boundary-fence ? —Yes. 97. Mr. Fell.] What Standard did you get into?— The Fifth. 97a. What was your work generally ?—When I was not at the hill-work I was scrubbing, grubbing gorse, picking up stones, &o. I learnt to milk just before I left. 98. How many days a week did you do this hill-work ? —Sometimes once; sometimes twice a week. 99. How many masters have you been with since you left the school ?—My present master is the fourth. 100. Have you ever complained to any of your masters of your treatment at the Orphanage ? —I cannot say I have. 101. Have you ever complained to other boys of ill-treatment ?—I cannot remember whether I have or not. 102. Did you ever complain to Father (Dean) Mahoney?—No ; I was frightened to. 103. Why were you frightened? —Because I thought I would get thrashed after he had gone. 104. Have you told him since you have left school?— No. 105. Mr. Wardell.] Have you ever known boys who were thrashed for complaining to Father Mahoney?—l cannot recollect any. 106. Mr. Fell.] Did you ever complain to anybody ?—No; I was frightened to complain to visitors or any one else. 107. Mr. Wardell.] When did you first complain of your ill-treatment at the school?— After the surprise visit of the Charitable Aid Board, I made a complaint to Mr. Eout. 108. Did you go to him for that purpose ?—Yes. 109. Did any one suggest that you should go ? —No. 110. Mr. Bush.] Were the boys at the school frightened of the Brothers, or otherwise ?—They were frightened. The Brothers had only to clip their ringers and the boys would obey them. Hugh Gallagher, examined on oath. 111. Mr. Harley.] You were formerly at the Stoke Orphanage, and are now discharged?— Yes; I.left in March, 1898. 1& How old are you? —About eighteen. 113. Where are you working now ? At the Masonic Hotel ?—Yes. 114. Mr. Wardell.] When did you go to the Orphanage?—l do not know. Mr. Pope : He was admitted in February, 1892; went to service in May, 1898. 115. Mr. Harley.] How many cells did you know of downstairs when you were at the school?— Two. 116. Did you see any boys thrashed during the twelve months before you left ?—No ; not that I remember. 117. Within three years before you left?—-Yes; Dwyer. He told me he was thrashed with the cat-o'-nine-tails —a strap cut into several strips. 118. Was he dressed ?—I could not say. ' 119. Mr. Bush] You did not see him thrashed ? He told you of it ? —Yes; he showed me his back. There were marks on it. 120. Mr. Harley.] Was the skin cut?—A little. 121. Who did it?— Brother Wibertus. 122. Were you ever kicked there?— Yes ; by Brother Wibertus. 123. Did you get sufficient food?— Not always. 124. Did you ask for more?—No; not always. When I did, I did not always get it. 125. Have you done any of the hill-work?— Yes ; much of it., 126. How many times a day have you been up? —Four times, bringing down posts for fencing. 127. What was the feeling between the boys and the Brothers?—l cannot say. Some were afraid and some were not. I was afraid. 128. Suppose you wanted more clothes or food, would you ask for it ?—Sometimes I would hold up my hand for more food. Sometimes I would get it, and sometimes not. When my clothes wore out, I would ask for others. Sometimes I would get them ; sometimes not. 129. Did you find any difficulty in asking?— Not very much.