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 THIRD ANNUAL  REPORT
PROVINCIAL INDUSTRIAL
SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
FOR THE PROVINCE  OF
BRITISH  COLUMBIA
BY THE SUPERINTENDENT
THE GOVERNMENT OF
THE PBOVIKCE OF BRITISH C0LUKB1B.
PRINTED BY
AUTHORITY OF THE  LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.
VICTORIA, B.C.:
Printed by William H. Coxlin, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty.
1917.
t To His Honour Frank Stillman Barnard,
Lieutenant-Governor of the Province oj British Columbia.
May it please Your Honour :
The undersigned has the honour to submit herewith the Third Annual Report of the
Superintendent of the Provincial Home for Girls.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
M. A. MACDONALD,
Attorney-General.
Attorney-General's Department,
Victoria, B.C., March 1st, 1917. PROVINCIAL INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS.
SUPERINTENDENT'S THIRD ANNUAL REPORT.
Honourable M. A. Macdonald, K.C,
Attorney-General, Victoria, B.C.
Sir,—I have the honour to submit to you and the Honourable Members of the Legislature
the Third Annual Report of the Provincial Industrial School for Girls for the Province of
British Columbia, from December 1st, 1915, to November 30th, 1916.
Our report this year will show a greater number of girls released than received; this is
owing to the fact, as mentioned in last year's report, that many of the first year's girls have
finished their two year's, or in some cases a few months over, on the " undefined" or
"indefinite" sentences and have left the institution. These will be referred to later on, under
" Released on Parole."
Number of Inmates received.—During the year ten girls have been received into the
institution, making the total number admitted since the opening on April 3rd, 1914, of forty-
five girls, twenty-four of whom are still inmates of the institution.
Released on Parole or discharged.—One girl, who was mentioned last year as having been
in poor health ever since coming to the institution, was discharged at the end of twenty-two
months and returned to her home in Fernie, B.C. Eight others were discharged at the end
of their two-year term, while ten were released on parole and requested to report to the
Superintendent or Matron, either by letter if out of town, or in person if resident in the City
of Vancouver. And one girl, for continued bad conduct, was transferred to the Oakalla Prison
Farm to finish her term or until otherwise ordered.
Length of Sentence.—As mentioned in last year's report, the girls are committed either
for an " undefined period of not less than two years " or for an " indefinite period," as provided
by the two Acts under which commitments are made. This year eight girls have been
committed for not less than two years and two for an indefinite term.
Ages at Commitment.—Four girls were sixteen years of age, two girls fifteen years, two
girls fourteen years, one girl twelve years, and one girl eleven years.
Nationality.—Of the ten girls admitted this year, five are of English descent, one of
African-English descent, one of Norwegian-Indian descent, one of Japanese-Canadian descent,
and two of Canadian descent.
Countries where born.—Eight of the girls committed to the institution this year were
born in Canada and two in England.
Charges under which committed.—Eight of the girls were committed for incorrigibility,
one for theft, and one was returned for breaking parole after being released from the institution.
Escapes.—We have not been so fortunate in this respect this year as heretofore, as two
girls escaped twice and a third one once, but all were recaptured and returned to the institution.
In the last attempt the two girls, one of whom had got away the first time, did not succeed in T 24 Industrial School for Girls. 1917
getting off the premises, but were captured by our own staff, who deserve great praise for
their efforts, especially as this occurred while the Superintendent was confined to his bed
through illness.
Health of Inmates.—I am pleased to say that our previous good record in this respect has
been maintained, and again there is nothing to report more than minor ailments, the worst
being that one girl was compelled to have an operation for enlarged tonsils. I do not think I
can do better in this connection than give an extract from a report by Dr. F. H. Trousdale,
who has been our attending physician since the opening of the school:—
" As requested, I have made a medical examination of the inmates of the Provincial
Industrial School for Girls, October 28th, and beg to report as follows : The girls as a class are
well developed and healthy ; they all report good health since entering the institution, except
for occasional colds."
He then continues his report on the minor complaints which have had his attention.
Playgrounds.—During this year we have been able to have a portion of the grounds
fenced off in which the girls can either play at outdoor games or sit and read or do light work,
such as knitting, etc. We have also had a temporary croquet-ground fixed up and secured
croquet-sets for the use of the girls.    We hope to improve on this largely next year.
Gardening.—This is still improving under the careful management of Mr. F. W. Cameron.
This season we have been able to put down over 50 quarts of jam and canned fruit, mostly
raspberries, which were produced in our own garden. We have also had an abundant supply
of green peas, green beans, and corn in season, for both staff and inmates, and put down several
quarts for later use. We have produced over 4 tons of potatoes, besides a supply of turnips,
carrots, beets, parsnips, etc., sufficient to last most of the winter. Then, of course, there is
the front garden with shrubs and flowers of various kinds, all of which claim and have his
attention.
Day-school.—Owing to the release of such a large number of our first girls during the
year it has broken into our classes considerably from time to time, but all girls in the
institution attend school—the junior classes in the morning and the senior classes in the
afternoon ; and we have several girls who are keeping in touch with their high-school subjects,
so that they will be able to take these up when released. One small girl, who when she came
to us over a year ago did not know her alphabet, has been able for some time now to write her
regular fortnightly letter to her friends, and is making similar improvement in other ways.
Mrs. M. L. Jobbitt, our present teacher, has been in charge since April 1st, 1916.
General Work.—There is not much new to say on this. We are following up the same
branches as last year, and with our First Assistant, Miss E. Bailey, looking after the general
house-work, with special attention to bedroom and dining-room tidiness and cleanliness; Mrs.
M. Robinson attending to the sewing, mending, and laundry-work; and Miss M. Brown
instructing in cooking and bread-making, every girl has an opportunity to get a good insight
into general housekeeping and should give good account of themselves on this line in after-life.
Many who knew nothing on some of the lines mentioned when admitted were quite capable
when released.
Sewing and Fancy Work.—In addition to the general oversight of the work of the girls,
the Matron takes a special interest in this branch, and endeavours to have every girl take
some part in this class of work and is meeting with marked success. It is surprising, the
number of girls, even the older ones, who scarcely know anything about sewing, to say nothing
about fancy work, when they come to us. Some of the work turned out by these same girls,
especially in their second year, has been an eye-opener to those who have had an opportunity
of examining the same when visiting the home, and our exhibit at the Vancouver Exhibition
was admired, and commented upon most favourably by many of those who visited our table. 7 Geo. 5 British Columbia. T 25
Knitting.—This is still one of the special features of the Institution, and every girl gets
an opportunity of learning to knit. This is a most useful occupation at present, as, in addition
to knitting for themselves, many of our brave boys at the front are no doubt wearing socks
and mittens knitted by our girls, as they have contributed about 300 pairs of socks and several
pairs of mitts. We have just received the following letter from Mrs. Dr. Dunlop, Secretary of
the Red Cross in Ward 4, Vancouver:—
"1727 Grant Street,
"Vancouver, B.C., November 25th, 1916.
" Dear Mr. Collier,—Will you please convey to Mrs. Collier and the girls of your
institution the very sincere thanks of the Red Cross Society for the comfortable supply of
socks and comforts received each month for our men who are fighting our battles ' Somewhere
in France.'
" With deep appreciation,
" Very sincerely yours,
"(Signed.)    Emily Dunlop,
"Secretary, Ward 4."
Library.—I am pleased to say that we have made some splendid additions to this during
the year and now have a library of over 200 books. Some few months ago Miss Morse, of the
News-Advertiser visited the institution, and in her write-up made mention of the fact that
some good literature would be acceptable. We have to thank our friends, chiefly Mrs. H. C.
Woods and Mrs. D. C. Irwin, who responded so splendidly with books; Mrs. H. S. Cayley,
who supplied such a large number of magazines ; also others who sent in magazines, periodicals,
etc., from time to time. These friends all have the thanks of the girls, as well as of the
Superintendent and Matron.
Schedule of Work.—We explained this so fully in our last year's report under the heading
" How we spend our Time " that I do not intend to refer to it this year, more than to say that
practically the same programme is carried out, with the exception that on each Thursday all
the girls meet in the school-room at 3.30 p.m. for a first-aid class of half an hour. This
instruction cannot fail to be beneficial to the girls in after-life.
Religious Services.—These are conducted much the same as mentioned in last report; the
Catholic girls have had their services separately, the same clergy being responsible for their
spiritual welfare as last year; the Protestant services are conducted by the same representative
denominations and others as before. These workers are most faithful to their duty, unless
prevented by illness or some other circumstances over which they have no control.
Entertainments, Social Evenings, etc.—I am pleased to say these have not been dropped
during the year, and we are under obligation to our friends who have come to our aid from
time to time in this respect. Amongst these are the members of the Vancouver Women's
Musical Club, who provide a concert annually; the members of the Brass Band of the South
Vancouver Epworth League; Mr. R. A. McCulloch, and Mr. S. B. Redburn with their
Victrolias ; Staff-Captain Smith with his lantern; also the Salvation Army Divisional String
Band and the Salvation Songster Brigade, who gave us a night's entertainment each. We
must also thank Mrs. Dr. Dunlop for the box of sweets from the Red Cross Society.
Local Entertainments, etc.—The girls put up a splendid concert at Christmas, to which
their friends were invited ; this was a magnificent success. At Easter they gave another to
a select few friends; this was repeated a few nights after by request, when a number of
citizens, also those who had contributed as mentioned in the last paragraph, were invited; to
the pleasure and satisfaction of all present, who congratulated the girls on the success of
their effort. In addition to this, they have had several evening's entertainment among themselves, to
which we have invited the girls who have gone out during the past. We have also followed
up what we started last year, and have on several occasions carried cheer to the inmates of the
Old People's Home, a block or two away, by giving them an impromptu concert consisting of
songs, drills, etc., on several occasions; this has been much appreciated by the dear ones who
have passed youth's happy days.
Official Staff.—The following is the staff of officials for the year :—
Superintendent—T. H. Collier.
Matron—-Mrs. Collier.
Engineer and Janitor—J. R. Clark.
First Assistant—Miss Emma Bailey.
Needlewoman and Laundry—Mrs. M. Robinson.
Cook—Miss M. Brown.
Teacher—Mrs. M. L. Jobbitt.
Gardener—F. W. Cameron.
All of which is submitted most respectfully.
T. H. COLLIER,
Superintendent.
Vancouver, B.C., December 1st, 1916.
VICTORIA, B.C. :
Printed by William H. Cl-llin, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty.
1917.