§ 109. Mr. KINGasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that James Baker, shoe-making instructor at the nautical school, Portishead, Somerset, was charged in July last with cruelty to the scholars, and that the council of the school held an inquiry, found that there was no foundation for this charge, and reinstated Baker; and, if so, will he say for what reason Baker was subsequently dismissed by order of the Home Office?
§ Mr. McKENNACharges of improperly inflicting corporal punishment were made against the instructor in question in July last. They were inquired into by the managers of the school, who were of opinion that the punishments inflicted by this officer, though unauthorised, were not in fact excessive and thought that the case would be met by a severe censure and suspension of the officer for a month. When, however, the facts were reported to the Home Office further inquiry was made by the chief inspector, who reported that the instructor had punished the boys without authority and had shown himself unsuitable for his post, and that he could not fulfil his duties satisfactorily if he returned to work after his suspension. I therefore suggested to the managers that he ought not to be retained on the staff of the school, and the managers, falling in with this view, required him to resign and promised to endeavour to help him to other employment.