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39. What about ?—She told me about the rows in the paper. 40. What did she say?— She told me she would like to have an inquiry on here, to see who would come out on top. 41. Was that whilst she was here?— Yes. 42. Anything else? —She told me the Matron treated us like beasts, and sometimes called us beasts. 43. You are telling us the truth now?— Yes. 44. Anything else?— Yes. Some blotting-paper was taken out of her office one day, and she said not only the girls were light-fingered but the staff. 45. Did she say anything about an inquiry coming on, and as to giving evidence? —No, just that she would like to have an inquiry here, because she thought the girls were treated very unjustly. 46. Where did this conversation take place?— She told us coming home from church. 47. Are you satisfied with being here?— Yes. 48. You know you are here for your own good?— Yes. 49. Do you feel you are improving?— Yes. 50. If you left here and went into service, would you regard this place as your home or as a prison ?—As my home. 51. If you had any trouble, to whom would you go?—To the Matron. 52. Mr. Salter.] You have had a talk with Mr. Russell before about this inquiry?— Yes. 53. Was the Matron present?— Yes. 54. And Mr. Russell took all this down?— Yes. 55. Mr. Russell.] Mr. Pope was also present?— Yes. 56. Did he not tell you to speak fearlessly, and not mind the Matron?— Yes. 57. Mr. Salter.] With regard to the statements you made about MisS Howden, who got that information out of you?—No one. I told the Matron myself. 58. After you came home from church? —No; not until Miss Howden went, because I did not know any trouble was going on at all. Ido not know how I got to know, but then I thought it right to tell the Matron what I knew. 59. Miss Howden was very kind to you? —Yes; but she made me very discontented when she was in the Home. 60. Do you know why you were sent to the Home? —Because I was uncontrollable. 61. Whilst you were in the second division, were you satisfied with everything you had in the Home?— Yes. 62. Have you ever seen the Matron boxing girls' ears?— No. I have seen her hit girls on the shoulders. 63. How long were you in the cell? —An hour and a half. 64. Do you know anything about the reception-room?— No. 65. Do you know if jam and sugar are put into bedroom chambers? —Yes. 66. And you honestly say you prefer splitting and mauling wood to housework?— Yes, I would sooner be outside. 67. Do you know some of the girls were unable to get warm water to scrub with on winter mornings?—lf they asked for it they might get it. 68. Then they have to ask; they cannot take it without permission?—lf the fire is alight, and hot water going, they can take the water on the first-class side. On the other side they have to go to the kitchen and ask for it, or go upstairs if the water is running. 69. Do you know of any dissatisfaction amongst the girls on account of their treatment? — No. 70. Have you heard them talking about it?— No. 71. When you were in the second class and in the dormitory at night, what happened to you girls if you turned over in your beds? —I do not think anything happened. 72. Was there any calling-out by the attendants? —No, not unless there was a great noise. 73. Was there anything unpleasant said to girls who happened to turn over in their beds at night?— Not in my hearing. 74. You say the Matron has always been kind to you ?—Yes. 75. You absolutely have no complaint to make against the Matron?— No. E C examined on oath. 76. Mr. Russell.] I think you are a domestic servant in the employ of Mr. F—■ —?—Yes. 77. You were formerly an inmate of this Home?— Yes. 78. How many years have you lived here altogether?— Close on three years. 79. AVhen did you leave the Home?—ln September last. 80. Were you here for the whole three years?—No; I was at service the September before that. 81. How long were you in the second division?— About two years and a half. Then I went to service. When I came back I was for a month and a half in the first division, and then I was put back in the second. 82. You were only a month and a half in the three years in the first division? —Yes. .83. Are you getting on all right in your present service?— Yes. 84. While you were here were you one of the wood-chopping people?— Yes. 85. Did you find that do you any harm? —No. 86. Did you find the work too much for you as a girl?—l never got too much of it, 87. Did you like the work?—l cannot say I was very fond of it. 88. Was there anything in it to make you unduly tired?- —No; when we got tired we did not tell.

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