Evidence Type: Newspaper Report
DETAILS: Parramatta Chronicle, SATURDAY 16 August 1845, p. 2
FEMALE FACTORY.
HARDLY a week passes that complaints do not reach us, of the gross mismanagement of this establishment. We are informed that last week, a scene of unsurpassing turbulence, passion, and intemperate language, was exhibited on the part of the lady to whom is committed (we do not say wisely) the responsible obligations of Matron; such, in fact, as might proudly vie with the scenes that are often acted in Cranbourne Alley; and this too, not towards the unfortunate inmates alone, but positively addressed to the paid officers under her; without whose assistance, it is notorious, she could no more conduct, or superintend the duties of her office, than she could fly.
It is a matter of great regret that before persons (utterly unknown) are promoted to government situations, and who are to receive the public money, a sound discretion is not exercised, to ascertain their fitness or capacity, for the offices to which they may be destined; but it is still more reprehensible, after they have been appointed, and after experience has proved to demonstration, that they are morally and constitutionally, incompetent to perform even in an ordinary way, the functions and requirements of their calling; that they should be permitted to remain one hour in receipt of the public money; which it is but reasonable to infer, they do not earn. Such a state of things as is represented to occur, day after day, at the Factory; and which we understand is very harrassing [sic], and a source of much annoyance to the Visiting Magistrate; ought not to be tolerated for a moment; neither favoritism [sic] nor any other such consideration, ought to be allowed to screen the acts, or the incapacity of paid public officers, of whatever grade; be they lowly, or be they exalted. An intelligent and efficient performance of duty, throughout its various ramifications, is the only ligitimate [sic] shield that should be thrown around them. We trust, then, without entering into further details, that an end will be speedily, and at once put to the grievances, and misgovernment of that to which we have alluded; although in these days of temporising expediency, we are scarcely prepared to expect such prompt, and decisive measures, as are so loudly called for. Unless this be done, the evil may be allowed to reach to such an height, as to render the application of a remedy, a mockery.
CITATION
Female Factory Online (femalefactoryonline.org), “Report on Female Factory, Parramatta Chronicle and Cumberland General Advertiser, Saturday 16 August 1845, p. 2,” https://femalefactoryonline.org/female-factory-reports/r18450816/, accessed [insert current date].
RELATED CONTENT
See Original
© Copyright Michaela Ann Cameron 2018
The Female Factory Online 