HABITUAL DRUNKARDS BILL.

An important bill, entitled " An Act to Facilitate the Control and Care of Habitual Drunkards," introduced by the Hon. Colonel "Whitmore, has just been printed, and the Evening Post publishes the following [summary of its provisions : — The Act provides that County and Borough Councils may establish and maintain homes for treatment of patients under the Act, subject to the approval of the Governor, such homes to be called " Homes for Habitual Drunkards." The cost is to be paid out of the County or Borough fund. Where no such home is established premises may be acquired by the Governor for the same purpose, the cost to be paid out of the Consolidated Fund and deducted from the subsidies payable to the county or borough wherein such home is established. Every Resident Magistrate may license premises as retreats for private treatment of persons, the license to have no effect, however, until approved by the Goyernor. The license is renewable yearly. . Patients may be admitted in two ways— either voluntarily or upon the application of their friends. Any habitual drunkard desirous of being admitted into a home or retreat may make applicatien in writing to the keeper of the home for admission, such application to state the time during which such applicant undertakes to remain in the home. . The signature of the applicant to such request is to be attested by a J.P. or a solicitor of the Supreme Court, who shall explain to the applicant the effect of his application. Upon the application of the parent, husband, wife, relative, or guardian, of any habitual drunkard, the JResidont Magistrate may summon such person to appear, and upon proof of the service of the summons, and that the person summoned is an habitual drunkard within tho moaning of the Act, the E,.M. may make an order authorising the apprehension ot such person, his conveyance to a homo or retreat, and his detention am] rtvahnent therein for any term not L>se than oii» nvuifcli, fiiitl not oxcei'dhig twelve months. In defaiiH of su.:h proof, the snmni"t'.H shy.] l f "; di-iri-vd vjrL nosl* against tho upplica.r. ' v lr \-:.:a---ini- : .-h'.i"!. 'f -i>.. I--"--' "-.'..■.:.•■. 'tii :' •:■ re''[". !:■>:•- "v hi •'•:• ' <lihO'- ( . .:.-}, „r ■; :..-.. jv. ;.:., maybe lieant in private. 'iV.ti.'nh voluntarily admitted ma}' be disclifn^rcd. by the R.M., upon the request in writing- of the keeper of the house, if it shail appear to such R.M. to be reasonable and proper.

Unless so discharged, the patietit lriaj' bo detained until tho expiration ; bf; the 1 term mentioned in his application, prpvidod that sudh term shall not exceed the period of twelve months. Patients admitted by order, may, upon the request in writing of the person applying' for the order, or on the request of the keeper of the' home, be discharged by the order of any two Jiisticea of the Peace, if such request shall appear to them to be reasonable and proper. The R.M. may nt any time after the expiration of the first three months of tho patient's detention, permit hiiri,- by lieeSnse under his hand, to.-livo with rtny trustworthy and respectable person named in the' license willing to take charge of him for the benefit of his health. Such license shall not be in force for more than two months, but may be renewed for a similar period from time to time until the patient's period of detention is expired.- Patients may be ordered to pay the cost of their rrfaiutonanca, and visiting Justices may order persons detained in homes to be employed at suitable labor, the Governor in Council nitty make rules for the inspection of. homes and their management, and presoribe fees under the Act. The Colonial Secretary may, at atty time, on the recommendation of Sin .Inspector under the Act, or at his own dis^refoon I,'1 ,' order the discharge of any person dW.irietl! in! any home or retreat. Another safeguard provided is that a Judge of the Supreme Court ni'ay order inspection at any time, and riiaSy order the person detained to be discharged. Yariotte' offences ,are created under the Act, such" dai making* a y false statement in applying for a license, ill 1 -" treating patients, suffering their esca'ffe'y harboring escaped persons, supplying patients with liquor, patients contravening rules of home, &g^, for any of which the offender is liable to a peualtj of £20, or six montha' imprisonment with or without hard labor. The officers of the home are to hate the powef of constables. An appeal is provided ufider v The Appeals from Justices Act," 186?',' and if any Judge of the Supreme Court shall fo>e satisfied ttpon affidavit that it is detrimental to the' health of any persod detained in a! home that such person should be further detained 1 therein, or that such person will not be benefited by the curativo treat-< ment, such Judge mrty direct that such person shall be immediately discharged horn the home.