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HO\'Iever, Hall conceded that even this large figure of 8 was an improvement
on the 27 \'lho had died in 1854, a numb er equivalent to the number of
deaths at all ages in the rest of the district .
accused him of 11combati veness of disposition" Hall replid:
To the Mercury who
It has been apt ly said that it requires an opponent to get up
a quarrel; therefore, if my uns elfish exertions to improve the
condition of those long neglected children had not been
systematically oppos ed, I should have had no grounds for my
persevering 'combativenes s', reform would have peacefully
progres sed. Better, however a thousand fold 'the exciting and
stormy discussions ', so scandalous to tender consciences , than
the death pall of secrecy that so long screened the dead bones
and rottenness, the tyranny and corruption of convict
misgovernment .
With reference to Bedford he had little to say,
Pub lic Boards properly constituted and open to the press will
ever be the best rulers of pub lic charities , if the gentlemen
who undertake the office one and all have faith in the system
and honestly and earnestly discharge their individual
obligations . Not so, if some of them only occasionally and
briefly attend Board meetings etc. for partisan purposes , or
to reopen discussions already settled by the regular \'lorkers .
Courageous and determined to bring the Queen 's Orphan Schools on a par with
the best conducted institutions of a similar kind else\'lhere although he was
saddled \'lith ugly names , Hall sought affirmation in the guiding principle
of his life "Whatever betide, for the right". 2 1
In August, 1861, the peculiar problems associated \'lith the
management of the Schools showed fe\'1 signs of a peaceful solution.
Certainly, O\'ling to Crowther 's clear-sighted analysis , the problem \'/as
better and more healthily defined:
manaement for such an institution;
responsibilities ?
to compromise .
\'las a Board the ideal form of
and , if so, \'I hat were its powers and
However, nei ther party to the dispute was prepared
Indeed, "An Act for the Better Management of the Queen 's
Asylum" , presented to Parliament by the Colonial Secretary on August 30 ,
carefully avoided the question of powers and responsibilities ; in fact ,
Henty thought the Board would continue its action on its present footing,
although the Government had from time to time the power to change its
management;
in his opinion no difficulty had hitherto been experienced
in carrying out its purpos e.
This assertion \'/as strongly repudiated by Crowther \'lho maintained
that, if the Board was to \'lork \'/ell, its pm'lers and responsibilities must
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Mercury, August 9, 186 1.