The Hawaiian gazette., 1894-04-24

| tne institution, WAS NIlLJel lOE tuc
ADVERTISER by Mr. Girvin;
We read descriptions of Oahu Jail,
Lunalilo Home, Kamehameha School
| and many other noble institutions in
our land, of which we may be justly
| proud, but no one speaks of the Re-
| form School. In court a mans reputa-
ton is considered established as
''goodn when it is testified to as not
being questioned. 1t is not so long
ago when the Reform School had the
reputation of being place where in
EQUITY in all its worst forms was syste-
matically taught. Hawaii's only
man o'-war "Kaimiloa" was manned
largely from rascals from this institu-
ton, and they were the original
''forty thieves" Some of the most
weird tales are told of the escapades
of the reform boys of those days. They
have been known to steal a hive of
bees, bringing it home to their own
Jail yard where it was so cunningly
concealed as not to have been dis
covered by the manager. They have
gone into town and robbed garden
of every valuable shrub and plant,
which they duly transplanted
into their own yard. They have
burglarized music store and
supplied each of the boys with
instruments. Like dogs they
would cache their plumbers until the
storm had blown over, then they
would unearth them and generously
divide. They were the most incorli-
gible lot of youths, and could not be
restrained by bolts and bars. Boys
who have been punished by having
their ankles chained together have
escaped, broken into blacksmith
shop, secured chisel and file and freed
themselves. Boys carrying ball and
chain have scaled the high wall sur
rounding the institution and obtained
liberty. Some of them, before escap-
ing, have made provision for future
comfort in the way of blankets, etc.
Aided by friends without, they have
robbed the institution of every port
able thing of value. In Jackson's
time, in the good old GibsOnian re-
gime, when any burglary or larceny
was committed in Honolulu, the crime
was laid at the door OF the Reform
school, and, in nine cases out of ten,
it was a true bill. They have been
aided by their relatives in break
ing jail, and boys have been
known to pass soap enough through
knOt-hOle to friend to run laundry.
There is hardly part of the grounds
from which has not been unearthed
cached stolen goods. Today it is diff
ferent. We rarely hear the Reform
School spoken of, and would only
know we have such an institution by
seeing a company of well dressed
graded boys, in charge of a native
master, marching to Sunday school
or church.
me Reform School Is situated in
Palama, on King street, about one
mile from Fort street. The premises
consist of about six acres of well kept
lawn and garden. There is nothing
attractive in the architecture of the
buildings. The school room and dor
mitOry are large and adequate for the
present demands. The boys all sleep
in one room, which contains about
thirty single beds, each with its can
opy mosquito net. The differ, mt rooms
are kept scrupulOusly clean, and the
sanitary conditions of the institution
are in excellent form.
Each boy, however, should occupy
room of his own They get good
food, consisting of poi, rice, salmon,
beef, bread and fruit. No death has
occurred in the school for SIX years
past and the general health of the
scholars has been good.
They work in the grounds, and are
taught native in the morning and
English in the afternoon. 1t is I'M
fortunate that they are not taught
trades. They are as bright and good
a lot of boys as can be found on the
Islands, and the discipline of the
school is perfect. Some of them have
been drafted into the late band on
account of the development of their
musical talent. Some of them have
done excellent work with Den and
ruler. One little fellow ingeniously
invented IA windmill which he placed
under the school, where he had no.
ticed the wind drew through strongly,
and to which he attached pump aud
machinery. Flowers will bloom In
the desert.
They have been sent there for Il va
riety of terms and causes. We find
one seut up for truancy for balance of
his minority. Another for two wears,
another one and still another six
months for the same cause. We find
one undergoing a sentence of seven
years for larceny, and others again
three and six months for the same.
No matter how refractory boy is
on first arrival, he soon becomes do
mesticated. He is cleaned up, in
structed in the rules, his skin diseases,
il any, cured up, and he soon finds he
has u clean, pleasant home, where he
will be compelled to work and
study and submit to the inevitable.
4 very little extra expense would
provide tools, material and masters 10
teach them trades so that when they
leave they would have educated hands
which would place them above the
necessity of competing with the com
mon labOrer. Ii is 20 be hoped that
the new Board of Education will take
hold of this institution and make Il a
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