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188. Was that before this incident or after?— About a fortnight before. 189. Were there any other occasions?— No. 190. Then these were the only two days on which you were not allowed to take water to the paddock ?—Yes. 191. On all other days you took water?— Yes. 192., You said that one day when you had a headache you were put to bed? —Yes. 193. You do not make any complaint about that, do you?—l was put to bed because I refused to go out to work. 194. Is it not a usual thing for a girl when she is not well to be put to bed?— She could go to bed if she wishes to. 195. In consequence of having a headache you were put to bed? —Yes. 196. And you say that that was punishment?— Yes. 197. I suppose the headache got better afterwards?— Yes. 198. It is true H M suggested you should abscond?— Yes. 199. You and H M agreed to abscond ?—Yes. 200. And you got up into the loft of the wash-house with a view to getting away when the place was quiet?—We went into the loft to hide. 201. Do you know you were missed, and that a search was being made all over the grounds for you ?—Yes. 202. And I think in the evening another girl, to use a popular phrase, gave you away?— Yes. 203. What was her name? —F B informed on us. 204. How did she know you were there ?—H M- told her in the morning. 205. And I think F B herself was going with you?— Not that I know of. 206. Where were you going to?—To a house in Christchurch—to Mrs. M 's. 207. Where does she live?—l do not know. She lives in Christchurch. 208. Who told you about her?—H M . 209. What were you to do there? What life had you arranged to lead after you got away from here? —H M said that before we went to Mrs. M —'s we would go to the Chinaman's and take some fruit, and I objected to go there, and I said I would leave her if she went there. 210. Was it not arranged you were to go to a house of ill-fame?—H M- was going to the Chinaman's place, and I objected to go. 211. But H M was going to that place?— Yes. 212. And when you got away from this place, if she had gone there you would have looked after yourself ?—Yes. 213. For that you got strapped?— Yes. 214. Do you consider you deserved it?— Yes, because that is the punishment for the girls who abscond. 215. You still agree that whatever was done was done in order to help you along—even the strapping?— Yes. 216. You consider that is necessary in your own case?—Oh, yes. 217. Are you short of food in this place?— No. 218. You get what food you want?— Yes. 219. You can have anything that is available without stint at all as to quantity? —We are allowed a second helping. 220. In addition to what you have told Mr. Salter, you have milk with your porridge?— Yes. 221. Tea and coffee?— Yes, and sometimes cocoa. 222. And I suppose none of you girls leave the breakfast-table hungry?—l do not know about the others. I know Ido not. 223. You have potatoes and vegetables of all kinds?— Yes. 224. When you talk about having four pieces of bread, is each piece a good thick slice off the whole round of the loaf I —Yes. 225. And you have pears and apples at tea any day you want them?— Yes. 226. It is quite a common thing for the girls to have fruit every day?— Yes, lately. 227. You say that the Matron sometimes speaks of your faults in front of the others: does she ever have a chat with you privately, and quietly about yourself? —Yes. 228. Can you give me the instance when the Matron spoke of your faults before the girls?— In the schoolroom, a little after I came here. I said I was going to run away, and she asked me, " What do want to run away for? " 229. Had you said in front of the girls you were going to run away?— Yes. 230. What did she say?— The Matron said to me, " What do you want to run away for if it is only for evil? " 231. Well, you would not be running away for good, would you?—l do not know. 232. You say she usually speaks of your faults before the girls : have you any other instance? —She has not spoken of my faults before. 233. Or since?— No. 234. Then, that is the only instance you can remember in the whole three years? —Yes, to me. 235. With regard to your complaint that Miss Mills speaks to you sharply if you turn over, do you not think there are good reasons for trying to keep the girls as quiet as possible in bed ?— She has told us it is her duty to keep us quiet. 236. Is it not necessary almost, in the interests of the girls themselves, to see they do remain quiet in their beds at night? —I do not know. 237. Mr. Hunt.] The visiting ladies come here once a week?— Yes, Mrs. Kaye.

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