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145. If one of the staff says she found you in bed with this N that is not true?—No, because the staff did not see me. A girl in the morning told the staff. 146. What is that girl's name?—J A . 147. Mr. Hunt.] During the last six months you have been comfortable here? —Yes. 148. You have no fault to find with anybody or anything?— No. 149. You know the Lady Visitors and Mr. Smail? —I know them through coming here. 150. You have never complained to them at any time?— No. G N examined on oath. 1. Mr. Salter.] How old are you?—l will be eighteen on the 17th April. 2. Have you been here long?— Two years on the Ist of last February. 3. Who sent you here?—My father. 4. Since you have been here have you joined with the other girls in working at tree-felling, cross-cutting, and so forth? —Yes. 5. Do you like that work? —No. 6. You find it hard?— Yes. 7. Where were you working last month?—lnside in the scullery. 8. You attempted to get away once?— Yes. 9. What punishment was meted out to you for that?—l was in the cell for a month, and had the punishment dress on. I was in solitary confinement for one whole day, and slept in the cell two nights. 10. How long did you have the punishment dress on? —Two months and a week. 11. Were you strapped?— No. 12. Do you remember that about six months ago some girls complained that they had not enough to eat?— Yes. 13. What did the Matron order for you? —We were overfed for a week. 14. They could not force you?—We were forced to eat an extra quantity. 15. Was it double the usual quantity?—lt was double what the other girls had. 16. What happened if you did not eat it?—We had it cold for our tea, and if we did not eat it then it was poured down our throats. 17. Do you mean some one held you to pour it down?—We were threatened with that. We ate it. 18. Have you ever seen the Matron box girls' ears?— Yes. 19. Often?— Yes. 20. Within the last two years? —Yes. 21. Has she ever done more than boxing?— Sometimes when standing near the wall a girl's head has been knocked against the wall. 22. When you were in the cell that day in solitary confinement, were you visited except at meal-times ?—No. 23. What happens when you are outside, and Miss Hunt is overseeing you?—lf we raise our backs she says, "Do not get tired, girls. It is not time to get tired until a quarter to 5." 24. She does not let you rest? —No. 25. What happens if she speaks to a girl more than once?— She is reported. 26. Then what happens?— You lose a mark. 27. Are your faults spoken of before other girls?— Sometimes. 28. At what time? —Prayer-time in the evening. 29. I suppose sometimes the Matron will speak to you privately? —Yes. 30. Have you any complaint about the way Miss Mills speaks to you at night?—lf we turn over in our beds at night Miss Mills calls out. 31. What does she call out? —She infers the girls are doing harm in their beds. 32. Have you any complaint generally to make about your treatment at the Home?— No. 33. Mr. Russell.] You have not many complaints at all apparently?— No. 34. You get on very well here? —Yes. 35. Have you been to service at all? —No. 36. You will be, I suppose, before very long?--I do not know. 37. All depends on how you get on. Do you want to get out?— Yes, I do. 38. The Commissioner.] Have you asked the Matron to let you out?— She passed it off in some way. I cannot remember what she said. 39. Did she give you any reason for not sending you out to service? —No. 40. Mr. Do you want to go back to Wellington?— Yes. 41. Why?— Because Ido not know what service is like. Ido not want to go to service. 42. You said just now you wanted to go to service? —I want to get out of here. 43. What do you expect to do?— There are other ways of earning a living besides being at domestic service. 44. Do you mean in a factory or in a shop. I suppose you do not mean improper ways?— No. 45. You mean proper ways?— Yes. 46. Well, give us an idea?—l could be a clerk. 47. Where would you get the money while you were being taught to be a shorthand-writer and typiste?—l have been in a commercial school. 48. How long ago?— Three months before I came here. 49. You say you have seen the Matron knock a girl's head against the wall: who was the girl?—E 0 ; L- . 50. What is her age?— The same age as I am.

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