Evidence Type: Newspaper Report
26 May 1837
We were in hopes that with the change of keepers a change of system had taken place in the female factory at Parramatta, and that the time had passed when refractory and idle servants would prefer confinement within its walls rather than be in the assigned service of private individuals. We have been told that the present is much more efficient than was the late management, but the frequent instances which have recently come under our notice of women absconding from places in which they have not been more than a week assigned, would force on us the notice that something more is yet wanting than the increased severity of the discipline in the Parramatta establishment. Take Wednesday for instance; we were one hour in the Police Officer, when three cases of absconding came before the Bench, the longest period which either of them had been in the service from which they had absconded was one month; the second one week; and the third four days. The cause of these desertions would be worth inquiring into. Does any means yet exist of avoiding the sentences passed upon the women by the Sydney Bench?—Reporter.
See Original: “No title,” The Australian (Sydney, NSW : 1824 – 1848), Friday 26 May 1837, p.2
The Female Factory Online 