Document 2(b) - MH12/11198/297

Cross examined.

The Master struck me once over one hand, and not once over each hand. I didn’t eat the Potatoes, I often leave them when they are cold, because they make me cold inside. I pushed the plate away from me. I said “I wouldn’t eat the Potatoes unless I had my meat” – I said nothing else. I pointed my finger at Hancock and call’d him “Marr’d Baby” – (this is a word of contempt and means spoilt child. H.B.F) this was before dinner. I did not grip my fist at him – I was then beaten by Mr Carr, when Mr Wellum was present over the hands and eight or nine times across the back. Mr Wellum went away – and after he was gone, about a minute and a half after he beat me again – he got my head between his legs and beat me as hard as he could over the bottom. Mitchell was there – Dean was there-and some little boys –

I then seized a bit of string and twisted it right around my neck – and tried to choke myself – it was in the School room – Mr Carr saw me, and hit me over the hands – and then I let go the string – and then he beat me again. He laid hold on me by the hand and beat me- after this Mr Carr told me, I must go to the Nurse and be quick back, because my arm was bleeding – the blood came thro’ my coat – I afterwards washed the Desks and forms as well as I could after this – I said all the paper was wrong – after I signed it it was read to me, and I said it was wrong – but I can’t recollect now what part was wrong, but I recollected it was wrong then –

last night I spoke to some one, it was the Master – The Master spoke first – he asked me whether I could remember all that Carr did to me “I said Yes” – He asked me whether I could tell him, and I could not tell all – I said so to him – and then the Mater asked me whether what I couldn’t recollect was one thing or another thing – He asked me whether I had signed the paper before or after it was read to me – and I told him it was afterwards.

The Master spoke to me in the morning about it- the Master sent for me – and I went. Mrs Wellum was there-she was giving out pinafores and we talked about it – it was near the fire place: Mrs Wellum did not say anything to me she told me that my arm had never been well since from him beating me – she told me “I must speak the truth”-and tell what I told before. She asked me about the signing the paper- I told her I put my name to it before Mr Carr read it to me. She said I must tell the Guardians that, and that I must do whatever I was bid – she told ^me^ to say that my arm had never been better since – I told the Gentlemen that I couldn’t recollect whether Carr put my head between his legs or not. (Mr Young says “Lycott was not present”) Mitchell says he saw it, but I was not quite certain about this myself -by then putting my head between his legs – this Mitchell told me. Just after Mr Wellum left I was beaten again, but at that time Mr Carr did not put my head between his legs – but he put my head between his legs and beat me too after I had tried to choke myself. I cannot say whether Mr Carr had my head between his legs, I was like as if I was asleep – Mr Wellum talked to me about it, and said it must have been Mr Carr as had my head between his legs.

Last Sunday the Minister and the Master, and the School Master talked to me about this – the Mrs was not there – The Mrs came up to see me when I was bad, and ask’d me whether I could lie, and the Doctor came too. I told them when they asked me, I had no peace in the night. She asked me about Mr Carr, but I can’t recollect what Mr Wellum said it was shameful – Mrs said the Commissioner was coming to see me about me having been beaten. I was going up to the Nurse –

On Sunday morning the Mrs told me to tell the Commissioner that I had no sleep, and that I was beaten for nothing – but I don’t remember anything else, excepting that I was told to tell the Guardians that I was beaten shameful – we talked about three minutes, she saw me just aside the Infirmary there was something else said, but I can’t recollect what. After the Master left, Mr Carr beat me once – and once again for putting the string round my neck – I pulled my Coat off, when I scrubbed the floor – and when I pulled off my coat I saw the blood – the Nurse saw the blood on my coat, I carried the coat to the Nurse – Mrs Wellum asked me whether the shirt was saved that had the blood on it – and I said I did not Know whether it was saved or not – she told me I must tell the Commissioner the coat was soaked in blood-

I remember the Potatoes – I didn’t say “I’d sooner clam”. Mr Carr told me to stop in School. I asked him for my clothes. He told me I should clean the School, and I told him I wouldn’t unless I had my dinner – He said I must do my best at it – I said “ I shana do it” – and then I said I would ask for my clothing and go – I am not in a passion then – I went to the Lodge, and Mr Carr followed me.

I cleaned the floor the morning after – Mr Carr asked me if I thought I could do it? I cleaned it then – the morning after the boys cleaned it. I had no coat on – my arm was swelled – I had it on the day before.

Mrs Wellum has often talked to me about it. Mrs Wellum has often stopped and asked me how my arm was as I was going to the infirmary.
(Signed) Peter Lyth.