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31. You sometimes looked out of the window when the men were at work : What was said to you then?— That we were trying to attract their attention. On one occasion two girls were looking out. of the dormitory window at the men below, and they were accused of signalling to the men. After dinner the Matron came over and said to Miss Mcintosh, " Put these two girls outside, and give them chopping to do, and it will take the superfluous energy out of them." 32. Have you ever seen the Matron boxing girls' ears?— Many a time, but she has never boxed mine. 33. Has she ever called you any names that were disagreeable? —Yes; on one occasion she called me and another girl " great big hulking hulls." 34. It is said you were violent at the Home?— Yes, but not without cause. 35. Tell us what caused you to be?— The constant nagging day after day was enough to rouse the temper of anybody. 36. You were sent some time ago to the Mental Hospital?— Yes, in February, 1906. 37. How long were you there? —Six weeks. 38. Whilst you were at the Mental Hospital, did you write to the Matron?— Yes, I remember writing her a very impudent letter from the Mental Hospital, and for that I got thumped on the back and growled at when I got back to Te Oranga. 39. Did the Matron make any remark to you about your madness? —She often said to the girls I was no madder than she was. 40. Did she tell you what Dr. Gow had advised she should do?— She said that I was to be put under a cold shower when I gave way to these passions. 41. I would like to read to you the whole of the letter you wrote to Mrs. Branting from Mrs. Bean's, and from which Mr. Russell quoted the other day: " Addington, Friday night.—My Dear Matron, —I rang you up to-night, for I wanted to say a lot to you, but I had not the chance. My dear Matron, you perhaps think Ido not care for you, but that is not so. Your kindness to me in the short time I was back in the Home has atoned for all the past—what has been said and what has not. I look back over these last few weeks, and think what has been going on for the sake of a chance of service for me. Has not there been some awful wicked things said about me. Picture it, Matron, for yourself. Is it not enough to make one do something desperate to themselves? But no, Matron, God has given me strength to overlook it all. Is not all that has been told to me of what you have said about me —was it not enough to make me dislike you? But I don't doubt your word, but who am Ito believe? If you did say anything, I freely forgive you. I want you all to forget what has passed this last month. But I will never forget as long as I live. ' Dear Matron, I don't wish to feel any ill will against you. "We are not placed here to be enemies, but to be at charity with every one. Dear Matron, I have not a place to go to. I looked forward to coming up to see you all. Perhaps, Matron, you would rather I did not come up at all. But what is the reason you don't want me to come for a month? Well, Matron, you can put your full confidence in me, for if all the girls turn out as well as I intend to do they will be a credit to you. lam not boasting over what I have said. Well, Matron, just a few lines about my mistress and place. I have got a very nice place and a very kind mistress and master, and the girls are very kind and very willing to do anything for me. I have plenty of work to do. Dear Matron, if you won't let me come to the Home you surely won't refuse to write to me and tell me the news. Give my love to all the first-class girls, especially to M and G . I remain, Yours, &c, A. G .— Sweet dreams. Do write.—P.S.—Mrs. Bean would like you to come and see me. She said she had no ill feeling against you. She wanted justice, and she has got it, and she is content." Did that refer to Mrs. Branting's treatment of you during your first stay in the Home?—No, to the last fortnight, after I came from the Samaritan Home. 42. When you went back to the Home, were you treated very well? —Very well indeed. In fact, if all the girls were treated as I was, there would be no complaint. I was treated to afternoon tea, and taken to Broadway's. I had hot milk for supper. But, putting all that on one side, I was always greeted with a smile, and treated with kindness. If all the girls were treated the same, they would respect the Matron, and do anything for her. 43. If you had received treatment like that during your first stay, would you have been content to stay?— Yes, quite content, 44. Do you know any reason why the girls should not be treated in that way? —I do not. Kindness costs nothing, and kindness goes a long way. 45. Did you see Mr. Fendal about what was going on?— Yes; I told him about the strapping and the hair-cutting. 46. Mr. Smail used to visit the Home, and hold service there?— Yes; every Sunday afternoon. 47. Do you know whether, from anything that has been said to you and the other girls, he knew of your faults? —I am certain the Matron used to tell him anything that happened amongst the girls. On one occasion when two girls had attempted to run away, and had been found in the laundry, he came and said it was a sorry thing a girl's passion should get the better of her, and that if she wanted to go to the dogs it was time enough to go when she was twenty-one. 48. It is said you made some attempt to take your life at the Home? —Yes, I did; but I never attempted to take other lives, of which I have been accused. I felt I could no longer endure life and the constant growling. 49. That is what drove you to do what you did?— Certainly. 50. Whilst you were at the Samaritan Home and attempts were being made to get you back to Te Oranga, do you know that the "Black Maria" was sent for you?— Yes; I heard it was the Matron's doings. 51. Mr. Russell.] I understand that the last time you left the Home you came away with the highest possible feeling of affection for Mrs. Branting?—Yes.
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