B. HOWDEN.]

123

H.—2l.

book and put them on a rough sheet, and take them into her for her approval. This I always did. On some occasions they have been altered. Sometimes something more has been added to the offence, although I cannot quite remember now what it was. I remember, though, the case of J L , and I know that after she was two days in the cell, and not the detention-yard, the punishment was altered to read " In cell and detention-yard," and the offences were increased. It was just for " Insubordination," but something else was put on to it —I do not quite remember what. 2. Did Mrs. Branting actually make the alterations herself?—No; she never made any alteration. She simply instructed me. I always wrote up the punishments, but I never wrote them into the book without first referring them to her. I sometimes altered them then by her instructions. She said I could write them up, but that I was to be thoroughly conversant with the regulations, and was never on any account to enter a punishment that exceeded the regulations. 3. You are perfectly clear that Mrs. Branting did on certain occasions make alterations by increasing the offences?— Yes. 4. Is this the memorandum-book from which you prepared the rough sheets? —Yes. [Book produced and claimed by Miss Hunt as her private property.] 5. The Commissioner.] Where did this book come from?—lt is the book I entered the punishments in. 6. How do you come to be in possession of it to-day?—l took it. 7. Why?—To protect myself. I knew it was not my book, but I took it purposely. I felt I had not been dealt with justly, and that it was only my word against somebody else's, and so I took this book to bear out my statements. It is the book in which the punishments were entered, and I used it for that purpose. 8. This is the rough book from which the official punishments are entered up?— Yes. There is nothing private in that book. It all relates to the institution. 9. Why did you take it?—l simply took it to protect myself. 10. At what period did you anticipate you would have to protect yourself?—l knew I had been unjustly dealt with, and I knew the Matron did not always speak the truth about things, and I took it. I felt uncomfortable about it, and I took it to a member of Parliament and told him what I had done, and he gave me permission to hold it. Ellen Maria Hunt further examined. 1. The Commissioner.] I understand that you swear distinctly that this book produced by Miss Howden is your private property?— Yes. Susannah Isherwood examined on oath. 1. The Commissioner.] Where do you live?—At Burwood. 2. I suppose you have been acquainted with this Home for a long time? —I have been acquainted with it for six or seven years. I have visited it frequently, although not within the last six months. I must say I have always found Mrs. Branting most sympathetic and kind in talking to the girls. She used to tell me about their little ailments, and often asked me if I knew of good places to which they might be sent to service. I have been inside and outside when the girls have been working in the paddock. I have seen them haymaking, and they were always laughing and joking as they worked. I must say that the more I saw of the Home the more I admired the Matron. 3. You have volunteered this evidence?— Yes. Clara Bone examined on oath. 1. The Commissioner.] Where do you live?—l live on the property adjoining this Home I have been here longer than the Home, so I have been acquainted with'the Home since it started J have a horse and trap, and go to town frequently, and I often carry parcels to and from the Home, and often give the girls a lift in and out from service. The girls always talk to me and never on any occasion have they complained about the Home. I sometimes fetch girls from service and they often ask me which side of the Home they are going to, and have said they would not mind going back to the second division if there were not so many bad girls there The girls them selves have remarked to me that if there was more classification it would be better for them Then the girls on the first-class side have spoken to me as to what they could do that would best please the Matron. They said they would do all they could for the Matron, because she was so kind to them. I see all the work they do outside, and Ido not think any of it has been too hard for them Ihey seem to have great fun at felling trees, and there is always a scramble as to who shall climb the tree I have never seen the attendants pushing them to do work. In fact, they seem to me to do much as they like. 2. Have you seen the girls improving from time to time?— Yes, and the girls have told me \*\ 7t im P rov f d ' TT one told m e she was as big a liar as there was in Christchurch, but that since sne had been at the Home she had improved, and she thanked Mrs. Branting for it. Roland Henry Pope examined on oath. 1 Mr. Russell.] I think you have been for many years in the service of the Education Department I —Yes, I am just completing my twenty-fifth year. 2. May I take it that the particular work you look after is the industrial schools?—l am in charge of the branch of the Department that deals with industrial schools, deaf-and-dumb and mentally backward children, and also infant-life protection. 3. The whole of your time is practically taken up in looking after children in one form and another ?—Yes; children under the care of the State.