Saturday 9th March 1889
Annual Report Of The Wiltshire Reformatory, Tascroft, Warminster
Wilts Reformatory. The annual report of this institution has just been issued. The committee state “they are again able to express a favourable opinion with regard to the work, the internal arrangements and discipline of the Institution. Indeed they believe the school was never in a better state of discipline than it is at present. They have, however, had two serious difficulties to contend with during the past twelve months. One arose from two outbreaks of scarlet fever – first in the early part of the year, and again in the autumn; and the other was caused by the trouble and anxiety connected with a change of superintendents. It is with regret that the committee have to report that one boy died from the fever, but owing to prompt and vigorous measures being taken, under medical advice, the disease was confined to a few cases on each occasion. Mr. and Mrs. W.P. Harold are the new resident superintendent and matron. Judging from the way in which the school so far has been managed, the committee consider that they have been fortunate in securing their services.
The following is the official report of the state of the school last summer:
“I have made my annual inspection to-day, and am glad to find the whole establishment in very good order and the boys; health quite restored. There was an outbreak of scarlet fever in April and May – six cases and one death. But the attack has passed away, and to-day the boys look well and thriving. I am pleased to find that good order has been well maintained throughout the year without much punishment. There has been indeed quite a minimum of punishment, and to-day the boys have exhibited nothing but commendable self-restraint and good behaviour. I find the whole place in good order externally. The farm looks well and the crops give promise of a fruitful yield. The dormitories were clean and comfortable. I went into the workshops and yards and found all going on steadily. I examined all the classes to-day in the schoolroom and found satisfactory progress and respectable proficiency: 19 in Standard V., 14 in Standard IV., 11 in Standard III., 14 in Standard II. – total 58. Good results and improving work. Boys very quiet and anxious to do well. School in good order to-day and attending to its special work with fidelity. (Signed) Henry Rogers, H.M., Inspector. July 24th, 1888.â€
Thirty-nine boys left the school in 1885-86-87, and have just been reported upon. Of this number 31 are known to be doing very well. 1 is doubtful, 4 have been re-convicted, and 3 are unknown. On January 1st, 1888, there were in the school 59, on licence 5; total 64. Of these there were discharged during 1888 – to their friends 13, died 1. During 1888 there were admitted 20; there are on licence 9; leaving in the school December 31st, 1888, 61. These are from Wilts 24, Dorset 18, Salisbury 1, Reading 1, Southampton 2, Manchester 4, Bristol 1, Bath 6, Exeter 3, Somerset 1. These are employed when not in the schoolroom – As tailors 7, shoemakers 5, cooks 2, cleaners 4, the rest in field occupation on the farm, or in work for the neighbouring farmers, and in fagot-making.
The expenditure connected with the establishment is set down at £1867 15s.