119

H.—2l.

E. T. BBANTING,

474. Did any one remonstrate with you for using them? —No. 475. It is not true you ever said they were quite as good as the girls had at home? —I never did. 476. How long has the school been established under a certificated teacher? —About four years. 477. What obtained before that? —Miss Macintosh had six backward girls for two hours every afternoon, and I took the girls two evenings a week—one evening for composition and one for letter-writing. 478. Has the result of the new system been advantageous to the institution? —Yes; 479. A distinct advance? —Yes. 480. Can you suggest any direction in which it might be still further improved?—l think, it would be better if the girls were taught as suggested in my letter. 481. You wish to say nothing further in regard to the hours, or anything of that sort?— No. 482. Do you attach any importance to the statement made by Miss Harrison that some of the girls are too tired to properly do justice to their lessons? —I do not; they are not at all tired. 483. You do not think it is a fact? —I do not. The girls are as lively as possible. 484. Was the school started upon your recommendation upon these present lines?—No, I had not much to do with it. I may say, though, I repeatedly recommended the appointment of a teacher. 485. How is the catering done for the supply of stores for the Home? —By contract. 486. Who lets the contract? —The Government. 487. Without reference to you?— Yes. 488. And you simply send for such stores as you require?— Yes. 489. Do you always have your meals with the staff? —Yes. I may sometimes have my tea alone. We have the same meat and vegetables as the girls. We may have a different pudding. 490. It has been suggested that there is too much institution even at meals —that is to say, that the girls and their failings are discussed, and all that sort of thing. Have you anything to say about that ?—I think it would be better if they were not talked about so much, but the staff say that is the only time they are all together with me, and can discuss matters. 491. Surely you give the staff opportunities of discussing with you matters affecting the girls? —Yes. 492. Could you not put a stop to that discussion at meals?—lf anybody dislikes it, I could. 493. If you think it is not desirable, would not a hint from you stop it?—l do not mind if the staff do not mind. 494. You see it has come out now?— Not from my present staff. 495. As a matter of fact, we know it is done, and you yourself think it is done too much?— I think it might be. 496. You keep in touch with these girls, as I can see from the letters you gave me the opportunity to read ?—Yes. 497. Do you still, where circumstances appear to warrant it, interfere absolutely with the girls—for instance, take one letter, where the girl told you she felt her temptation so great that she must revert to her old course? What would you do in a case of that sort?—l am thinking of getting her back again. I cured her before, and I suppose I could cure her again. 498. That appears to you a very proper thing to do? —Yes, especially when the girl asks for help. 499. It would be your practice to take prompt steps?— Yes. 500. In regard to classification, and apart altogether from what the Department proposes to do, what is it that is urgently needed in the matter of classification? —To separate the bad girls from the girls who are improving. 501. Does that mean you want a separate class for what you would term the almost incorrigibles?—Yes, until they improve; and then I think there should be a class for probationers. 502. Would you be in favour of having a class in which every girl should be put when she first comes into the institution ?—Yes. 503. You would deal with them as a separate and distinct class?— Yes. 504. It did not seem to me that Mr. Recce's suggestion entirely met the matter—that is, having a third class, and dumping them all into it?—Oh, no; you would contaminate some of the girls who might not be very bad. >" 505. The greater inducements you can offer to the girls by evolution, or whatever you like to term it, the greater possibilities there are of the girls being satisfied with their chance to get forward?— That is so. 506. If you had these facilities it might do away with the necessity for corporal punishment altogether? —I think the country is best prepared for peace that is best prepared for war. If they knew there was to be no corporal punishment they might presume on their knowledge. 507. You think corporal punishment is to be avoided, and only inflicted when absolutely essential? Yes. It might be provided that before corporal punishment is inflicted it should be necessary to apply for the sanction of the Minister. 508. Do you think corporal punishment should be inflicted upon any young woman without medical supervision, because there are certain periods when it might be very harmful to them. Have you considered that aspect of the matter ?—No; but there have never been any detrimental effects yet. 509. Do you find the Department quite willing to meet you in any reasonable way?— Yes. 510. Will the proposed new wing meet all your requirements? —I think so. 511. Is there anything else you wish to lay before the Commission? —No.