§ MR. W. E. FORSTERasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he can inform the House whether the Governors of Christ's Hospital have taken any steps to carry out the recommendations of the Commission appointed last year?
MR. ASSHETON CROSSSir, I have put myself into communication with the Governors on the subject, and I will read the answer—
1. The Governors finding positions and duties of the head master and warden defined with such perfect clearness, and those gentlemen themselves agreed as to the subordination of the latter to the former, deemed it unnecessary to alter those relations, which work well; and the office of steward at the Hertford branch being now vacant, the Governors have decided to subordinate that officer to the head master there, so far as regards discipline, &c. 2. Head master has arranged for making the 'Grecians'—so far as compatible with studies, &c.—a more available force in the oversight and discipline of the wards. 3. Visitation of wards in the evening by masters—formerly voluntary—is now undertaken as a recognized duty. 4. Character of corporal punishment has been more clearly defined and regulated by the head master; and the pre-existing rule for recording same has been more distinctly impressed on masters generally. 5. 'Detention school,' as a means of lessening corporal punishments, is now supervised by masters instead of beadles. 6. As to removal of London school and erection of additional houses for residence of masters, eight masters, the warden, the matron, the medical and other officers are resident already; but Governors have felt, pending Charity Commissioners' scheme, and under the restraints of the Endowed Schools Act—apart from financial and other considerations—it was not advisable to take any decided steps for the present. The Governors are, indeed, in the position of awaiting a scheme, which, they are told, will be sent them this Session, and which, when received, will be at once taken into consideration.