AN INEBRIATES HOME.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12972, 27 November 1907, Page 6

AN INEBRIATES HOME.

The reformatory for inebriates which the Salvation Army have established on en island in tho Hauraki Gulf is an experiment which, if successful, will help to eolve a difficult and important problem. From the description furnished by our correspondent the, place appears to be ideally suited for the purpoee to which it is to be put. The fact that it is on an island assures to tho inmates, to a very great degree, the necessary seclusion and freedom from temptation. The surroundings are healthful and picturesque, and there "are opportunities for sport and recreation to relieve the hard work which forms bo important a part of the treatment of the habitual inebriate. Such a man is generally suffering from shattered n*»rves and weakened resolution, and before any moral reform is possible has ifo-eionl health, and strength mujyt bo built up, co that he may bo a'blo to meet tho strain of tomiptwtion with some liope of resisting k. Ho must attain oonfidenoo in himself, nod this is only possible, in such cases, when he ie in sound xnd vigorous health. Cases coming before tho Magistrate and dealt with by him under tho Habitual Drunkards Act will be committed to the reformatory and subjected there to the discipline for which tihe Act makes provision. but another smaller building will provide accommodation for those who", knowing their own weakness, ecek a moans by which they may bo helped to reform. Hitherto tho efforts made to dfcal with the ihabitual drunkard in New Zealand , have been lamentably futile. The Inebriates' Home founded by the. Government at Vtaitati was unsuitably situated, tho means of recreation and the provision of work were alike inadequate, and! the discipline /was of the weakest, not through the superintendent's fault, but because ho ihad no power. Tho Samaritan Home in Christchuroh fulfils 'fow of the purposes of an institution for. the reclamation, cis well as the detention, of habitual drunkards. Wβ look forward with great hope to the derelopment of the Auckland' experiment, and the Salratioa Army, which has' an espeoial faculty for dealing with human derelicts of all kinds, will have established a fresh claim upon the gratitude of the -community if it makes a sucoesß of a task in which the Government, having once failed, has declined to make any further effort.