855
REFORMATORIES
"W"- "Perhaps you will be pleased to have a few notes on the Roman Catholic Reformatory for Chinese boys. In 1866, this institution, the Chinese name of which is 'The House of Good Education,' was situated on the rise of the hill above the Gas Works and at that time enjoyed one of the coolest and healthiest situations in the town. The site, which was between Middle and Third Streets, was about 750 feet long and 140 feet broad, and was bounded on the East by Battery Street and extended on the West to a stream of water that descended the hill behind the Gas Works. We are told that this lot was presented to the promoters of the institution by Sir Hercules Robinson, who had paid a visit to the reformatory when occupying unsuitable premises elsewhere.
"This gift took place in 1864, at which time the lot was in a very rough condition, being covered with boulders. A portion, however, was speedily levelled and a small building erected at a cost of $1,050, which answered the purpose of a dormitory upstairs, while below was a small chapel, the residence of a Chinese priest, and a store-room. On the opposite side of the yard to the house, were a range of workshops in which a number of the boys were employed throughout the day. The institution, as its name implies, was intended solely for the reception of young Chinese offenders. At the time of which I write, there were 62 such boys, two Chinese teachers, two watchmen and one Chinese priest in the establishment, the whole being under the charge of Father Vigano, who attended every day. The expenses of the whole establishment amounted to $180 per month, towards which the boys earned about $60."
These notes can be amplified from the available records. The old Roman Catholic reformatory was situated at West Point in temporary premises, and in 1865 the Government granted a site for a new building to replace these makeshift quarters, where by then some fifty boys were already being accommodated, provided with education and taught tailoring, carpentry, and so forth. By 1867, there were 73 boys in the Reformatory, and the Government contributed to the support of twenty of these every year. In 1886, it having been discovered that there was no power under the existing laws to send boys to a Roman Catholic Institution, a special Ordinance was passed to overcome the defect in the regulations, and a certificate was granted under this for the purpose of thoroughly legalising the procedure.
It was in 1898 that the Hon. Mr. E.R. Belilios, whose name is recalled in connexion with various educational and charitable movements in the Colony, offered to build a reformatory if the Government would provide a site. As a result, the Belilios Reformatory was erected at a cost of $12,000 to the donor, and the foundation stone was laid by Sir William Robinson, who was Governor at the time. The situation was at Causeway Bay, and the place afterwards became known as the Eyre Diocesan Refuge.