H.—2l.

100

[c. b. kaye.

16. What are you getting up in the school at the present time?—A little cantata. It is rather a childish thing, but Mrs. Branting, who was anxious for their enjoyment, asked me to give them something which they could act, so that those with not much musical ability could have a little chance to show off. I can assure you I find lam riever allowed to omit a bit of the singing exercises. 17. I think at the present time you are going through the Epistles at Mrs. Branting's request? —Yes. She particularly asked me to do so, because of the strong moral teaching in the Epistles. 18. Do you find the girls' answers reflect in any way an intelligent interest in the teaching you are giving?—l find their answers remarkable, and better than in any of the classes I have had outside. 19. I believe.also that, as well as catering for their mental welfare, you give them cake and fruit by way'of prizes? —Not by way of prizes. Now and again I like to give them a little pleasant evening. My friend and I have brought cakes and fruit, and asked the Matron to allow us to have an evening of games and fun. 20. I suppose the children enjoy that? —Yes, and Mrs. Branting too. 21. Is there anything to suggest that the children are in a reformatory on these nights?— Nothing whatever. 22. You have some birthday parties a year? —Yes, two. 23. Are you present at these generally?— Yes, I have been invited to every one. 24. I think a few people who are interested in the Home also come?— Yes. The children generally go and dress up and enjoy themselves. Miss Mills is a great sharer in that part of the work. Miss Mills sometimes spends money out of her own pocket to help the children dress up. 25. And Mr. Smail sometimes gets them tickets?— Yes, for entertainments in town. 26. The Matron allows them to go?— Yes, under the supervision of the staff. 27. Are the children allowed to go down to the seaside I~k- Yes, they go down sometimes for a picnic—a dozen or twenty, according to their behaviour. 28. When the Exhibition was running, were the girls allowed to see that at all?— Yes; I have met them in the Exhibition with the staff. 29. Are the children generally happy and contented here so far as you can see? —I should think so. I have never seen one sign to suggest that they think themselves outcasts, as one gentleman said. On the contrary, they think themselves quite as good as most of us. 30. Guests of the State?—Y*es. 31. Have you ever chatted with the Matron in regard to the question of punishment?— Yes, to try and think out the best way. She has felt sometimes it might help to clear her own mind if she talked the matter over quietly. 32. The Matron does not like punishing the girls?—l know she does not. 33. How do you think they ought to be punished when they commit bad offences? —For such offences as girls absconding and knowing where they intended to go I cannot think of any other punishment but what they got. The sin was so frightful; they must be shown the State thinks it frightful. 34. Do you consider the punishment is not merely to hurt them, but to deter others from doing the same thing? —Most decidedly. 35. Do you consider, from what you have seen here, that the punishment was very severe after the strapping?—No; I have seen a girl not. at all distressed after the strapping. I have never seen any indication of any physical effects. 36. Have you ever been asked by the Matron to go and have a chat with the girls privately? —Yes. 37. No attempt has ever been made to put obstacles in the way of the girls seeing you privately?— None whatever. 38. May I say she has rather encouraged it?— Yes; very much. Sometimes I have been a little unwilling myself, because perhaps of physical tiredness, to do what (he Matron wished. 39. Can you tell me upon what terms the staff and the management are?— Very friendly. 40. Are the staff competent and capable persons?—So far as I am able to judge, I think so. I hear a good, deal of the internal working of the Home. 41. With regard to Miss Howden, I think you were present when these girls signed that evidence that was put into the Commission? —Yes. 42. What opinion did you the matter?—l thought it was much more serious than 1 was inclined to think at first, 43. W T as anything done to put pressure on the girls or to suggest questions to them, or were they voluntary statements? —I considered I was acting in my official position, and I warned the girls' very strongly as to the seriousness of saying such things, and I told them their statements would be shown to Miss Howden, and also that probably they would be shown to Mr. Pope. 44. Were the girls all in the room at one time? —No; each one was examined without the others knowing what she had to say. 45. All measures were taken, so far as you could see, to prevent collusion between the girls? —Y r es. 46. Did you discuss with Mrs. Branting the advisability of A G going to service? —Yes. 47. Was it your opinion, as well as Mrs. Branting's, that a further course of treatment in the Home was necessary ?—I thought she was not quite in a fit state to go to service. 48. In coming to that conclusion, both you and the Matron considered the matter from a broad point of view? —Yes. 49. There was no question of this Home against the Samaritan Home, or against Mrs. Bean? —No.