Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-02-10 00:00:00

THE REPORT

"In presenting this, their tenth annual report, the
Committee of the Liverpool Industrial Ragged Schools
desire to congratulate the donors and subscribers upon
the present efficient and prosperous condition of the insti-
tution. After an experience of ten years, the committee
have become thoroughly satisfied of the necessity for such
schools in Liverpool; and that the institution in Soho-
street, to the extent cif its means, is well calculated to
meet that necessity:

"In all large densely-peopled towns like Liverpool,
observation and experience has shown that there are chil-
dren which the National, Congregational, and Parochial
Schools, or such establishments as the Blue Coat School,
and the Orphan Asylums, cannot effectually provide for,
or even bring in any degree within their influence. For
these helpless little ones, ready to perish,' and aptly
styled city Arabs,' Industrial Bagged Schools have been
expressly opened, and, in Liverpool, have been found
admirably adapted.
" The following will show how the work is carried on,
and what the result has been, not only during the last
year, but generally, from the opening of the school.

ATTENDANCE AND C)NDITION OF CIIILDREN

"On the roll December 31, 1857, 88 boys, 71 girls
admitted in 1838, 116 boys, 51 girls, making a total of
326. Of these there were 156 boys, and 89 girls born
in Liverpool ; 21 boys, and 16 ,oirls born. in Ireland ;
born in other places, ,27 boys, and 17 girls. Above the
age of ,12 years, 91 boys, and 53 girls ; under that age,
110 boys, and 69 girls. The average number on the roll
throughout the year, was 92 boys, and' 67 girls, making a
total of 159. Average daily attendance was 81 boys; and
59 girls. Number on the roll on December 31, 1858,
96 boys, and 67 girls. Removed during the year, 108
boys, and 55 girls, making a total of those removed 163.
There were 16 children with both parents 'dead, 10 of
them boys, and 6of them girls. There were 107 with
mothers only alive, of these ,71 were boys, and 36 girls.
There wore 10 with fathers only alive, 4 boys, and 6 girls.
There were 61 children deserted by their fathers, 37. boys
and 24 girls ; 40 children with worthless parents, 25 of
then boys, and 15 girls. There were 45 with parents
alive, bnt sick and disabled ; 30 of these were boys, and
17 girls. There were 16 fatherless children with worth-
less or drunken mothers-7 boys, and 9 girls. There
were 8 children whose parents were in prison-6 boys,
and 2 girls ; eight children whose parents were blind
5 boys, and 3 girls.. There wae three children —one
boy, and two girls—with stepmother only alive. There
were seven boys sent from the police-court; three chil-

dren whose parents were in the lunatic asylum—one
boy and two girls. The average number of children
who slept in the house wag 24.

EDUCATION AND PROGRESS OF THE CHILDREN

"In the boys' school, at the 31st Dec.,1858, there were
only 11 unable to read, and during the year 55 of
that class had been admitted ; 29 could read a little when
admitted, and 30 were able to read a little at the present
date ; . 12 could read pretty well when admitted, and
55 were able to read. pretty well now ; 66 had
been unable to write when admitted, and of
these there were only fifteen. Twenty-three' could
write a little when admitted, and now there were thirty-
six. When admitted, there were' only two that could
write pretty well, and, at the end of the year, there were
forty-five of whom the sane could be reported. There
were eighty-eight boys admitted who could do nothing
in arithmetic, and, by that time, could do a little. Now
there were only sixteen who could-do nothing, fifty could
do a little, and thirty were proficient in the elementary
rules. The total number of boys in the school was
ninety-six. In the girls' school, during the year, there
had been admitted fifty unable to read, sixty-four unable
to write, and sixty-seven could do nothing. in arithmetic ;
fourteen could read a little, two could write a little,
three could read pretty well, au.l one could write pretty
well. At the end of the year only twelve could not
read, twenty-four could not write, and • only fifteen could
do nothing in arithmetic ; twenty-five could read a little,
thirty could read pretty well, nineteen could write a little,
and twenty-nine knew a little arithmetic; thirty could
read pretty well, twenty-four could write pretty well,
and twenty-three had gone so far in arithmetic as to be
proficient in the elementary rules. The total number of
girls in attendance was sixty-seven.
Then followed a time table, showing how the day was
appropriated in both schools, with which most of our
readers are acquainted, as it has been published in our
columns before.

INDUSTRIAL TRAINING

"The department of industrial traininc, is one on which,
.0
under the blessing of God, the committee depend, in a
great measure, for the success of their, labours. Indeed,
the beneficial influences of the work-room can scarcely
be too highly prized ; for it has been found that, as soon
as the child sees the result of its labours, and thereby
knows and feels that, with its own hands, it can do
something profitable, a new spring. of action is elicited
the germ of self-respect becoming apparent, and is
rapidly followed by a desire for self-improvement. A
wish to learn appears, and gradually the little outcast,
and unprofitable member of society, becomes aself-sup-
porting. Throughout this process, he forms an example
to those less advanced ; and thus, while improving him-
self, affords an apt means of improving others. The
following will show how the children have been indus-
trially occupied

EMPLPYSIENT

•
" 16 boys employed in the printing rooms, 40 in making
paper bags, six in the tailors' room, 8 in the shoemakers'
room, 2 as assistants to the cook, &c., 4 as doorkeepers
and messengers, 20 sorting bristles, &c.,making &c., a
total of 96. Of the girls, there were 3p employed in
making clothes, which were sold to the children at
reduced prices, 19 were engaged in making corn sample
bags, 10 in washing and household work, and two as
doorkeepers. The band continues to be a source of great
attraction. At present it consists of 18 boys. Its effect
on the young untutored mind, in softening and opening
it to good influence, is marked and gratifying. During
the past year, the net earnings of 0.19. Ehild Q Amouut ti 4

£l3O 12s. 2d. This result of their 1a our, however, is
independent of a large quantity of needlework done in the
girls' school, the money value of which is riot ascertained,
as it is for their own use, and that of the 4oys, viz. :

153. shirts, 143 chemise, 85 petticoats, 37 frocks,. 144
towels, 131 aprons,. 24 pinafores, 24 bed-ticks; 36 pair of
sheets, 22 pair stockings, knitted. It will be noticed,
in referring to Table 1., that 326 children have been
in the schools during 1858. 'Only 163 are at present
on the roll, leavinc, 163 to be accounted for. The
following table will show what has become of them :
" The following is the manner in which the children
hare been disposed of who have been admitted : 38 boys
aiul 20 girls have gone to situations.; four boys and one
girl have gone to the workhouse ; five boys have gone to
other schools, their condition having improved; three
boys and one girl have left Liverpool ; 46 boys and 29
girls have left school of their own accord; one boy
died, and 11 boys and four girls left sick. ,

"The Committee desire particular attention to the fact,
that since the schools were opened, no less than 530 had
obtained situations out of them.
" The committee rejoice in being able to assure the
public that a very large projertian of the children who
have been inmates of the institution, and are now in
situations, are conducting themselves in a manner per-
fectly _satisfactory to their employers. At the annnal
Christmas dinner, given on the 28. th December, several
of the old scholars were present. Among
.them there
were two boys, who had lately returned frOm sea: After
dinner, both boys, now almost men, addressed the children
in most touching language, told them how they them- ,
selves .had once been ragged and destitute, and of the
benefit they had received from attending the Soho-street-
schools, and urged the scholars present to persevere in
regular attendance at school, and in the course of .good
conduct it was the purpose of the schools to train them to.
"The committee are sorry to report that,,by a late
minute of the commissioners of. Privy Council on -edu-
cation, the very serious reduction of the capitation. fee
from 50s to Ss per annum will take place in March next.
So large a diminution of the support previously granted
by government to Ragged (feeding) Schools, and without
any assigned reason, has called forth remonstrances from
all parts of the kingdom. The friends of the ragged
school system entertain the hope that there may yet be a
favourable modification of the questionable minute. But
in the meantime, the committee trust that all those who
are satisfied as to the good which such schools are
accomplishing, will continue their individual support,
'and, if possible, enlist that of others.
"The committee desii e to express their acknowledgments
to the executors of the late Israel Barned, Esq., for . a
legacy ,of £lOO ; to the , executors of the late George
Maxwell, Esq., for a legacy of £5O ; to the trustees of
Philadelphia Chambers, Hackin's-hey, for. a donation of
£lO, being a proportion of surplus rents; . to T. B.
Horsfall, Esq., M.P., for the children's Christmas dinner;,
to 'G. B. Denton, Esq., surgeon, Abercromby-square,
for gratuitous advice and generul attention to .the
sick children ; to Mr. Taylor, of St. John's market,
for the liberal manner in which he has supplied the
schools with vegetables ; and to .the following friends,
who have kindly permitted donation boxes to be placed
in their shops and offices, viz. Mr. Manger, coachbuilder,,
Richmond-row ; Mr. M'Bryde, tallow chandler, Rich-
mond-row ; Mr. Harrison, grocer, Fox-street ; Mr.
Fisk, confectioner, Castle-street ; Mr Horsfall, confec-
tioner, Church-street; and Mr. Makin, grocer, Elliot-street.
:The committee desire again to record their entire satis-
faction with the unwearied attention of the superintendent
and matron, Mr. and Mrs. Orris. All the other officers
of the institution have, each in their respective depart-
ments, given satisfaction to the committee. To the
various parties who continue to supply the schools with
work, and to those who have so kindly contributed old
clothing, which is at all times most useful, the committee
feel very grateful."

The Treasurer read the financial report, which showed
a balance on hand of £907 10s. 2d., which he said arose
chiefly from legacies, left to the institution last year, and
the two or three years previous.
Mr. Danson moved the adoption of both reports ; in
doing so, he said, the annual report was one that
ought not to be passed over in silence. He would
speak of one portion of the report, and that
was the excellent arrangements in . the schools.
Much as had been said in favour of reading,
he would say that there ought to be more taught to a
child than to read and write, and cast accounts a little,
for in doing nothing more for the child, they were doily,
him an injury. , It was necessary to teach the child to
be industrions in his youth, so that he
,maybe useful to
himself afterwards.
Dr. Hume seconded the motion.

Mr. Clint moved a resolution that, as Industrial
Schools have been the means of reducing juvenile crime,
they well deserve and demand the support of individuals
and the State.

Mr. Steains seconded the resolution, which was passed
by acclamation. _ . _

Mr. Melly moved a resolution to the effect that they
desired to express their recret for the reduction of the
government support ; and he took occasion to remark
that, from £6OO, they would, in a short time, be reduced
to £9O. .

Vv
Mr. Heath seconded the resolution in a very able
manner, which, upon being put, was unanimously

carried

A vote of thanks .was passed to the ladies for their
assistance, and also to the chairman, which ended the

bu.siuess