THE INEBRIATES' HOME.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 239, 6 October 1904, Page 4

THE INEBRIATES' HOME.

The scandal created over the condition of the Waitati Inebriates' Home some months ago is probably still fresh in the minds of our readers; and everybody who takes an interest in the decent conduct of public institutions will welcome Mr HallJones' statement that legislation dealing with this Home may be expected this session. . The Home was established in 1902, at an original cost for land and buildings of £1450. The complete cost of furnishing and equipment does not appear to have been more than £1200- but the upkeep has figured much more largely in the annual estimates. The appropriations for the year ending March last totalled £5201, of which £1851 went in : salaries, and the balance, £3350, In general current expenses. It has been stated that quite £1500 of this outlay would not recur, and that the vote for this year would be considerably smaller than for the last. But the figures quoted show that the Waitati Home has cost, and is costing, the country a considerable sum, and that the public has a right to expect that the institution is efficiently conducted, and that it is, as far as possible, serving the important purpose for which it was established.

Unfortunately, the general public has every reason to believe the contrary. Some five months ago Mr Laurenson, member for Lyttelton, visited the Home, and found it in a condition calculated to shake the confidence of the colony in the Government management of all such places. Mr Laurenson, as is well-known, ia a political supporter of the present Government, and has frequently commended .Mr Seddon's philanthropic schemes, so that we are compelled to regard his views as at least unprejudiced. Mr Laurenson declared that the Waitati Home was a "mockery," and described it as the most disgraceful place he had ever seen under Government control. The management was wasteful and inefficient, supplies were ordered recklessly and left to rot without any attempt to use them. Mr Laurenson states that he found bedsteads, baths, and scores of fittings of various kinds rusting and decaying in the yards, with no one caring what became of them. There were serious complaints about the water supply, sanitation, and the provision for light and air in the Home. But the worst feature of the indictment was Mr Laurenson's assertion that absolutely nothing was being done for the health or the mental or physical reformation of the unfortunate patients. Without regular occupation, with very few diversions to relieve the dreary monotony of their existence, they passed the time in sullen discontent, looking forward only to the time when they might be released to act as they pleased without any irksome restriction. Mr Laurenson concluded that it was impossible under such circumstances to expect any kind of improvement in the condition of the patients, and they invariably left the Home worse than when they entered it. These charges caused a great sensation in Dunedin, and the "Otago Dail**" Times" succeeded in getting the District Health Officer to send an inspector to the Home. This official practically confirmed Mr Laurenson's charges; and though the Attorney-General has since tried to contest some of these statements, there is only too much reason to believe that the Waitati Home is at present an expensive and farcical failure.

What can be done to improve an institution that has fallen into a condition of such hopeless inefficiency? Capable management and economy, of course, should go without saying. But undoubtedly the first thing must be to reorganise it so as to promote the object with which it was established— the cure of alcoholism. From the outset the Home has been placed at a grievous disadvantage by the fact that incarceration there is not voluntary. Dr. Truby King has stated that only seven out of the 48 patients now at the Home could be described as voluntary. All the rest had been placed there under restraint by friends or relatives, and were anxiously waiting for the happy moment when they could get out and get drink again. It is well known that the compulsory detention of such patients is not in the least likely to result in any kind of cure, unless a com plet'e mental and moral change can be effected by appropriate means. For such a reformation there appears to be absolutely no provision at Waitati. One prime essential should be regular work to occupy the faculties and divert the attention of the patients. But hitherto there has been an absolute lack of discipline and a complete absence of the authority that is needed to comnel men in such a state to exert themselves. What is needed at the Home is, firstly, a director vested with authority to compel the patients to do a reasonable amount of healthy work; secondly, some systematic scheme for the diversion or entertainment or occupation of the patients in their leisure hours. The possibility of direct medical cure we may dismiss as altogether unsubstantiated by adequate proof. But the records of ''voluntary" inebriate homes in other countries show that a permanent cure is quite possible for the inebriate who is judiciously and skilfully encouraged to uuild up his own mental and moral and physical stamina while he is abstaining from the excesses that have broken him down. Classification of some kind is undoubtedly necessary; in fact, it might be well to establish two Homes—one for voluntary, one for compulsory, patients. But till something is done to establish discipline a*?d economy, to provide the inmates with regular work and rational amusement, nni to divert their thoughts, continually from their own grievances,' the Waitati Home will continue to be a hopeless and scandalous failure.

The immediate demand for numbers. from booksellers, runners, and the general public directly the "Christmas Graphic" was put on the market at the beginning of this week is an exceedingly satisfactory proof of the general opinion of this really fine issue. That it equals, if not, indeed, excels, all previous .pubii- | cations, will be generally admitted, and this is really the highest praise cne can bestow, since from publishers and printers in all parts of the Empire have come the warmest eulogies on what they last year pronounced the "'finest Christmas number issued anywhere in the world." The annual now placed in the hands of {he public contains, besides a veritable art gallery of exquisitely beautiful .pictures, several articles written and "Lus-tra-ted specially for this number. "A

Northern Cruise in Summer Seas" is descriptive of a run North from Auckland toWhangaroa and other lovely northern harbours. Dr. Teiehelmann, of Hokitika, contributes a most interesting article on Alpine climbing from the West Coast side, and tells how be and a companion discovered Pioneer Pass. The photographs (taken by Dr. Teiehelmann himself) which illustrate the article are perfectly unique and the finest snow pictures yet seen. The Hot Lakes district is also brightly written up, and a magnificent supplement in double tone ink pictorially displays the wonders of the district. The presentation plate is from the brush of Mr Walter Wright. I and is the finest work this clever and popular artist has yet produced. It is entitled "An Evening Scene; Lake Koto- ■' rua," and depicts the native women and children washing, cooking, gossiping and playing in the hot springs round the Ohinemutu shores of Lake Rotorua. j During the passage across the Sonth- j crn ocean of the s.s. Indraghiri, which arrived at Auckland last night, an im- j mense icefield was sighted within a nn-e ■ of the vesseL Five of the bergs were of enormous size. The largest was estimated to be about three miles long and 700 ft high, and in appearance resemble 1 Table Mountain. The position of the . ice was lat. 51deg. south and long. 97 j deg. east. I Good progress is being made with the' building of the new double-ended screw steamer for the Devonport Ferry Co., and the builder (Mr Chas. Bailey) ex-

pec's to have the vessel ready for launching by the end of November. The shipwrights are now well on with the planking, and will be making a stare shortly on- the decking. The vessel is being very substantially built, the fram-, ing being of puriri and the planking of the best heart of kauri. It is stated this is the first instance —in recent years at all events—that puriri has been used entirely in the framing of a vessel. The builder confidently asserts that the new boat when completed will be the fastest and finest in the Ferry Coy.'s fleet.

On Tuesday last an accident took place at Hatakana. Mr Harvey was driving a spring cart, when one of the horses got frightened while going over a culvert which crosses a boggy creek, and pushed the other animaLover into the stream. In its fall the horse dragged the cart over with it, and, owing to the depth of the mud, the horse sank,

and it was with great difficulty that Mr Harvey reached hard ground. In spite of all efforts made the horse was drowned, and the cart buried deeply in the mud.

At a large meeting in the Christians' Chapel, Ponsonby-road,. last evening, Mr. Chas. Watt gave an address on the subject, "Did the Pope Change the Sabbath?'" The speaker, who was listened to with interest, declared that the plea of the Sabbatarians that the Church of Rome had changed the Sabbath in the year 364 A.D., at the Council of Laodicea, was groundless. First, because at that early date the Bishop of Rome had no kind of authority' over the other bishops, nor for over 200 years later. Secondly, because neither the Bishop of Rome nor any representative of his chuTch attended that Council. Thirdly, because it was not a Catholic (general) Council, but a purely Greek one, of 32 Eastern bishops, and entirely too insignificant to have revolutionised the world on the question of Sabbath-keeping. Mr Watt then quoted from a number of early writers to show that right down to the days of the Apostles all the churches met fcr worship only on the first day of the week, and that in New Testament limes the practice of the churches everywhere was to keep the Lord's Day— never the Jewish Sabbath. An opportunity was given for anyone to put qnestions to the lecturer. The next Wednesday's subject was announced as "The Jewish Sabbath and the Lord's Day." Pilfering must he practised with the perfection of a fine art somewhere en route from Milan, in Northern Italy, to Auckland, for a case containing silk consigned to Mr John Court, the Queenstreet drapery importer, arrived this week minus a valuable length of material, but packed and sealed as securely as when it left the manufactory. To minimise the risk of loss, valuable goods are packed in small* substantial cases, tied with strong cord. The knots in the cord are carefully sealed, and it needs but a glance to tell, as a rule, whether the case has been broached. One of these cases was included in a consignment from Milan this week. <-Ithad come via Genoa, Lisbon, and Australia, and Mr Courtis shipping receiver gave the shipping company a clear receipt for it. The seals were right and the box was undamaged, but nevertheless a 47-yard length of silk, worth nearly £5, had been abstracted, and a wrapper torn by dirty fingers shewed that someone had tried to secure a second piece. It took some time to puzzle out how the trick had been done without breaking the seals, but a badly driven nail gave the clue. One of the boards on the. bottom of the box h°.d been carefully priced open, and sl'd fro*n beneath the cording. When the cse was sampled, the board slid back, and

the nails being replaced the pilfered case looked as good as «my other. This unique specimen of artistic stealing is being exhibited by Mr Court. Messrs Logan Bros, have, just completed a tunnel launch for Cap-sin Patteison, of Whangarei. Her prihciprl measurements are: length 45ft, bean*. 10ft, draught 18in. She has a Gne roomy cabin and hold, and is to be fitted with a 20 h.p. oil engine. The boat, is to be engaged as a ferry at Whangarei. The Dunedin City Corporation has re

ceived an offer from the Waipori Falls I Electric Power Company to sell its i water rights and undertafcings for £31,000, one-third to he iv cash, and the remainder iv 44 per cent, corporation debentures, the corporation to take over all contracts and commitments; in the event of the carbide -works being established" vnthwr 12 months from date, taking 2000----the corporation to pay the company another £10,000. The offer holds good tin noon on Saturday. ; The City Coun-= .eil.mest an i±*& mornisn to conauter itl

With reference' to the ease of the glassblowers, inquiries at the Labour Bureau to-day elicited the fact that four of the men called at the Bureau with a view to employment. Mr Ferguson, the officer in charge, informed the men that he had found employment for them in- the country. Two-availed themselves of the qSer, but the other two stated they were.not suitable for the work and declined. . . ~... In reply to the application of the Mangere Road Board for permission to bridge the Oruorangi Creeks the secretary has received a better from the Marine Department, Wellington, stat-, ing that. His Excellency the Governor, in Council, has authorised the erect'on of the Oruarargi Creek bridge, subject to the conditions of the Order-in-Council.

A Nofthcote lad who had been ailing for some time from an unexplained cause was taken yesterday to Dr. Wilkins, who discovered that a conical sea shell had been pushed far up the right nostril, and, having been there some considerable time, had caused a good deal, of ulveration. ' The obstruction was removed with some little" difficulty, and further trouble averted. An order has been received by Mr Chas. Bailey from a Wellington syndicate for the construction of a small steamer somewhat on the lines of the Devonport Company's steamer Rum, | built by this builder last year. Work on ; the vessel will be commenced "mme-li ately, and it is expected that she will he f .raady, f° r .launching about Christmas time. She will be 60ft overall by 12ft beam, with a draught of 7ft. He- rrafhinery is being supplied by.Messrs Geo. ■ Fraser and Sons, of Auckland. i The contractors expect that the alterations to the Northern S.S. Company's : steamer Clansman will be completed in ! about six weeks, and the boat will im- • mediately resume her running in the Bay of Islands trade. The new boiler has been placed in position, and the en.gineers are now busily engaged in refitting the machinery. Two short pole i masts have been placed in the vessel, j and are a vast improvement on the [three raking masts with which she.was ' previously rigged. The well-deck forward has been filled in, and the saloon is being fitted up. The space round the forward hold will be boxed in, so that

passengers will not be inconvenienced during the loading and discharge of cargo. The electric light will be installed throughout, and- the vessel will also be fitted with steam-steering gear and other modern appliances. Alive to. the interests of the travelling . public, the Northern Company has decided to place an oil launch to accommodate about 25 people on board the Clansman for the use of passengers. The order for the building of the boat has beer placed with Messrs Bailey and Lowe, of Auckland. Mr C. Ransoh, the manager of the company, informed us that the

launch will replace one of the rowing boats hitherto carried on the vessel. Passengers wishing to see the historic sights and beautiful scenery, at the Bay" of Islands, Whangaroa, or Doubtless Bay, where good fishing may also be had, can do- so by intimating' their desire to the captain of the steamer, who will place the launch at their disposal.

The new 70ft tunnel boat" being built by Messrs Bailey and Lowe for Messrs Bradney and Binns' Riverhead *trade wilL be commissioned ; time-for the summer traffic. The outside-planking is

now well advanced, and a start h s tr*n 1 made, on the decks and fittings. The vessel will be supplied witn puwerxul : machinery, and is expected to develop a good rate of speed. Mr. Kettle, S.M., this morning reprimanded a- Mount Roskill contractor for putting a labourer to the expense and trouble of suing for wages due, and ordered him to pay the man an additional II for time lost in attending the Court; The contractor, on reaching the door of the Court, retorted: "When a man has a grievance you "ought to let him say it. Next time I'm here I'll -sake care to have a different magistrate."' "Come back here at once," said Mr. Kettle, and, as the Court bristled with expectation, the man meekly approached the Bench hat in hand. "Do' you know what you have donef continued His Worship. "You have insulted/ the Bench. You have committed gross contempt of this Court. I gave you every opportunity of making any explanation you wished, but you refused to go into the box and be sworn, and state your defence on path. It is my opinion you had no defence to give, and you went away laughing, treating the whole matter as a joke. Now, what have you to say for yourself?'" "I humb'y apologise," was the ready reply. "Well, you can go now. But the next time you come here be careful not to make insulting remarks." Tba much-cowed man retired, and this time there was no parting shot from the doorway. The Auckland Brass Band " Contest Committee held its fortnightly meeting on Tuesday evening, when "a considerable amount of - important -business was put through. The secretary reported having received, in addition to some £160 in donations, trophies from different musical firms as follows: Boosey and Co., euphonium, £25; Sutton and Co., Melbourne, Conn cornet,. £21,. Paling and Co., Sydney, gold medal; and it is anticipated that by the end of November some half-dozen more firms will have followed suit. Toward the end of the meeting Mr. A. Hankin, who has been recently married, was made the recipient of a handsome little presmt. Mr. Rowland, chairman, on behalf of the committee, with a few-well chosen words, made the presentation, which- took the form of a set of carvers. A list of properties will be submitted by Messrs. Samuel Vaile and Sons at their sale to-morrow aft?rnoon—cottages at Grey Lynn, Union-street, and Freeman's Bay, farms at Pukekohe, Whangarei and Drury, a suburban property at Mangere, and a sawmill plant at Hunua. ' Messrs. Hatrick and Co. have advised the Tourist Department that their Taumaranui steamer will miss this week's trip. The company are replacing her engines with a more powerful ful set so as to expedite the passages. On Saturday last the stoamer ran from Taumaramii to Wanranui, a distance of 160 miles, in 11 hours. Next week the'ebmpany ife transferring their house boat 30 miles down the river to a mooring pointi It is expected that the bi-weekly service will be commenced almost immediately. The general committee who ... have chaTge of the arrangement of the details in connection with the sports and procession to be held on the Domain Cricket Ground on Lubour Day (October 12) met last night in the Tutoresses' Hall, Cook-street. It wns reported by I Mr A. Rosser. the org-nisrr. that the ; entries received for the "ports events indicated that there would be fce«n com-' petition. The procession promises to bei! a finer one than was the ease last" year.' as nearly all the trades are to be represeated. .

The following h » Ust *l§ij diseases repotted to Officer (DrFrengley) drtSjS of September:—Enteric , fcJL*S| cases; suburbs,.nil; 11 cases (Hobson County IoT% County 1); total, 13 caL? S fever.- City, 4 cases; sub^'"«.. (Onehunga 2, Parnell 1 Arch Hill 1); country diatrfcfcT 11 * fWhangaroa County 3, MaaEJp 2, Waikato County 1, Thm^~^m : 1, Hamilton 1); total, 20*21 -?Srtheria: City 2 cases; suK||t (Remuera 1); county cases (Manukau County 9). ?? I cases. Tuberculosis: 8 casii^SJ poisoning: 1 case. ;*P*t' The Thames County Council iutfL decided not to grant water fr*»fc!P proposed borough public UtkiL ** half-yearly balance-sheet • * S » receipts £3326 3/7, and the «*££* left a credit balance £ lllg raSp The annual meeting of to. V mata Rowing Club will Waitemata Hotel this evJnJ*^ A dissolution of partncrskin fc fc nounced in the Union TimberrJ*i** of Newmarket, which will in carried on under the title of and Sons. -. .* V, 'W| The annual meeting of the A*iti Cricket Association will be Amateur Sports' clubroom evening at S o'clock. >'- "P** Trousers! Trousers!— Ail tweed trousers, reduced to 10/lL *5 Moore's, 240 Queen-street.--.A4 .^ Sensational Sale of Trouseri ~viL trousers for 6/11, 7/11, and 10/6Lj22 Moore's, 240 Queen-st.—Ad. ;^* New embroideries. . .New ucriiii muslin and cambric emDroideriesJJ'' sertion3 from a leading 'CoajSu manufacturer.' Just opcnea^t^S ll and Choyce, Ltd.—(Ad.) - 21/ tailor-made vicuna- suits,and padded, usual price- 3S/. 't? Moore's, 240 Queen-st.— AdV Booming. Booming.—WaafcrraJL men's tailor-made suits, 21/, 25/ ?2 45/. Ernest Moore's, 240 Queen-it^ New goods ex s.s. Waiwera, Ww ceived by Milne and Cto'oyee,'..U£'<?£ c'ofdion-pleated nun's veiling,..l3jriVi broideries in very urettv H>dy W . special corset, the "Royaliste/ ■* delaines, some very charnuhr Mmc call at once and see them. M*h» , Choyce, Ltd.—(Ad.) ' Seeing is believing.' Jnat real stylish worsted suit for 28/1 mm. Moore's, 240 Queen-st.—Ad. " Splash! Splash!— Big tplaili fc trousers-10/6; worsted troatwa— Moore's, 240 Queen-st.—Ad.