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213
Although Hal l's letter did not reach the Governor but was
fonYarded to the Comptro ller-General who made no reply, it di d,
nonetheless , have some effect;
both the Colonial -Secretary and the
Treasurer expressed to Young their opinion that the qrphan Schools were
in a condition to justify a complaint by
the colony against the Imperial
Government .
So distressed was Young by what he saw on a personal visit
to the Schools that on March 29 he immediately and rather indignantly
sent a memo to the Comptro ller-General, su.g gesting some alterations in
the children 's management . This memo , which confi rmed Hall's statements
over the years , is given here in its comp lete form.
The rations issued of meat to the children are, I learned
last Sunday, 4 ozs per diem, inclusive of bone. This when
cooked is about 3 ozs . and is not sufficient for growing
boys and girls from ten years and upwards . The meat is
always mutton which except on Sunday is invariably boiled
and served in broth which it is natural that the appetite
of children should weary of.
Why should it not occasionally - viz once or twice a week
be beef or mutton served without washy soup.
It is very essential that these chi ldren who are not likely
to have the habits of cleanliness, nicety or decency by
nature, should have them incul cated during their residence
at a Public Establishment , as far as may be attainable.
To this end, I suggest alterations on the fo llowing points
1. That pudding , meat , potatoes , salt etc. should not
be put (as I saw last Suday) altogether on one tin
plate : either give them a change of plate once a
week or a plate with a division in it.
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2. That both girls and boys be al lowed a garment to sleep
in and not wear the same by day and night.
3. That decent and separated privies be supplied and for
the promotion of health the present drainage requires
improvement: offensive smells have existed to my
knowledge for four years and should be entirely
remedied: they have recently been but partially
removed.
4. Permanent and efficient means should be taken to store up
and increase the supply of water . Besides the creek
water , the immense extent of roof, if guttered, would
give an amp le supp ly of pure water if saved , and the
natural fall of the land facilitate sewerage . The
original plan for sewerage should be looked into or
verified by exploration.
S. The children did not appear well dressed even on Sunday
- not as well as usual and I was informed the clothing
material was three months overdue . Why is this ?
One pair of stockings is worn for six months by the
girls ....