THE TREATMENT OF UNCONVICTED PRISONERS.

Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 22, 12 June 1886, Page 2

THE TREATMENT OF UNCONVICTED PRISONERS.

On our fourth page to-day will be found a summary of the correspondence which recently took place between Messrs. Pearce, Dransfield, and Duthie, Visiting Justice* of the Terrace Gaol, and the Minister of Jubtice, ou the subject of unconvictcd prisoners. It will bo re«d with interest. Attention was in the first instance called to the subject in our columns, the Yihiting Justices being previously unawuro of the practico pursued in tho matter. They deserve tho greatest credit for tho action they took and the firm stand thoy made as soon as the subject was brought under thoir uotico. Tho Hon. Minister of Justice and Inspoctor Hume come very badly out of tho correspondence. In the first place, nothing can palliate or exemso tho gross discourtesy shown in abstaining from all roply to tho Justices' report of their action, yet giving tho Gaoler orders to disregard tho instructions ho had received from them. The excuse offered for this discourtesy is a. misorably insufficient ono. The Minister and Inspector seem to have a groat deal more respect for thoir own regulations than they havo for either tho letter or tho spirit of tho Act under which tho regulations aro mado. The Justices say tho Act not only docs not allow, but in spirit forbids tho present practioo. The Minister and Inspoctor roply that their regulations allow it. If the regulations conflict with the Act they are ultra vires. Tho Minister and Inspector say tho regulations havo beeen in force for some years. Tho Justices aver, and truly so, that they wero not read in tho present sense, or administered in the present manner, by the lato Governor of the Gaol. This is a complete answor to tho plea of antiquity, by which it is attempted to justify tho abuse, as also to the ot&tr plea that more liumano treatment of \mconvicted prisonors wonld prove more expensive. If it did not do so under Mr. Read it should not do so under Mr. Garvey. Wo in no sonse blame the present Govornor of the Gaol. The letter of tho regulations appears to justify his interpretation, and his action is directly approved by tho Inspector of Prisons and tho Minister of Justice. We very strongly hlamo both these gentlemen, however, for tolorating and authorising such a barbarous practice as tho one which stands exposed in this correspondence. They appear imbued with tho idea which all police or prison officors chorish, that accusation implies criminality, and that a person who under any circumstances gets into their clutches must bo an off onder againßt the kw, and it to bo treated and punished accordingly. Thoy altogethor reject, as an entirely idle theory, tho prinoiplo that ovory man is to bo treated as innocent until ho is legally proved guilty. We trust Parliament will take up this subject in earnest, and insist on reform. Some action ia also needed to suppress tho too common practico of publicly handcuffing nnconyiotod prisoners who are not in the least likely to offer rosistanuo or attempt to •scape. The Govornmont Insurance Enquiry Committee mot yesterday, and elected Mr. Ormond chairman. No evidence was taken. Tho Hon. Mr. Batbgate has given notice of a long string of resolutions, which ho intends to move in tho Legislative' 1 Counoil, affirming that the issuo of money, whother in coin or papor, is a aovetoign prerogative of the Stato, tho profit from which belongs to the whole community; that tho presont system of allowing private banks to issuo notes is unsatisfactory; that the State should resume the right; and that tho Government should introduce a Bill to establish a State Bank issuo or an Issuo Department of the Colonial Treasury. Correspondence rolating to tho retiring allowance of Dr. Hislop, Under-Secrotary for Education, was yesterday laid upon tho tablo of tho House, to tho order of Mr. Sutter. Dr. Hislop, in applying for retiring allowance, said that as an ex-provincial officer, he understood he had no legal claim to such allowance under any Civil Act, but his appointment by the Otago Government was a life appointment, binding on tho Colonial Government, and therefore he was, ho believed, entitled to an annuity (or a prosont payment) equal in value to the stipulated annual salary, Thero is a memorandum attached to the application show big that Dr. Hislop ontered the service of tho Provincial Government of Otago in 1856. Tho legal opinion of tho Crown Solicitor, Mr. W. S, Roid, as to whether Dr. Hislop was entitled to a retiring allowance' was that in tho presont stato of tho law that gentleman had no rocognisablo claim. This opinion did not apply to tho question of compensation for loss of ofh'co, which Mr. Roid considered a difforcnt matter. Mr. J. G. Anderson, in a minute to Mr. FityGerald, while stating that Dr, JUiiflpJwid" no legal claim for a ponsion, held that ho was clearly entitled to compensation for tho loss of his provincial appointment in accordanco with the Abolition of Provinces Act, and thiit tho amount pajable, inclndiug that for his Goneral Government scrricos, would bo about .#I2BO. A furtker memo by Mr. J. E. FitzGorald, addressed to tho Minister of Education, states Dr, H. is ontitled to .£1472 17a 6d, including six months'half pay. Tho Committee appointed to enquire into alleged dealings by members in district railway debentures met yesterday, and examined Mr. W. J. Steward. It pat again to-day, and took evidenco from Sir Julius Vogel. Mr. Bootham wants the Government to instruct Registration officors what constitutes a sufficient residence to amount to a residential qualification for the franchise. Mr. Beethara also wants tho harbour at Castlopoint to bo_ rc-survoyed, with tho objoct of determining tho possibility of providing a much-needed wharf for that port. Mr. Moss is coming out as a protectionist. He wants the Government to oonsidor the necessity of levying higher duties on articlos whioh our ironfoundors and engineers are able to produce well and cheaply in Now Zealand, but for which thoy cannot find a salo so long as it is the intorest of thoße who oontrol the Home market to compel tho use of articles imported from othor countries.

The vory full and comploto account of tho circumstances attending the Tarawera eruption which we wore enabled to laybefore our readers hist evening excited on extraordinary degree of intorest, and tho demand for copies of tho Post was very great. We published a largo extra edition, but it was quickly oxhausted, and wo had to provide a further Bupply. Our issue tonight will be found to contain a largo amount of interesting additional information regarding the catastrophe. Both our special reporters aro now upon the scone of the disaster. Several letters to the Editor are held over. It is intended to instruct 50 men of tho Field Dofenco Force in the duties of field artillery, and to exerciso them in the uao of Nordenfeldt guns mounted on carriages similar to thoso of ordinary field piocea. As the Nordenf eldf is a rapid firing gun, and can throw a small shell ablo to penetrate thin armour at nearly as great a range as the big guns mounted in the permanent fortifications, a flying battery, armed in the manner proposed, will be a most valuable adjunot to tho harbour defences. A Wellington gentleman who was a few weeks ago on a visit to the Hot Lakes District had made arrangements to adopt the littlo nophew of Mr. Hazard, an interesting lad of about fivo years of ago. Both uncle and nephew, howevor, have mot with a sad Mid uutimoly end. Major Ecoles and Mr. P. K. M'Caughan have been elected Fellows of the Royal Colonial Institute. It is reported that gold has been discovered at Karamea, on tho Wost Coast, and that it is not improbablo a rush may set in. Mr. O'Conor, M.H.R., has received a letter from a man named Ray at Karamea stating that good gold is being obtained there. There are 35 men on the ground, making from .£3 to J64 per woek. Part of tho country is driving ground, and part good sluicing ground. About a grain to tho dish is being obtained. Wo learn that tho members of the General Assembly contemplate giving a ball on the 28th instant (Coronation Day) ~in honour of Her Majesty's Jubilee. The Most Rev. J. A. Goold, Archbishop of Melbourne, whoso death is recorded today, was a native of tho city of Cork, and was a member of the Order of St. Augustino. Soon after being ordained to tho priesthood, he camo out to Now South Wales, and laboured under Arohbishop Polding, displaying great energy and ability. When Victoria was separated from Now South Wales, ho was selected as its first Bishop, and was oonsecrated Bishop .of Melbourne in Sydney on Bth August, 1848. In Victoria he hod almost a virgin field, and he worked with enormous zoal and succosa,: gathering around him a largo body of energotio priests, by whom he was much beloved. -Magnificent presents were made to him by clergy and laity in 1873, on tho anniversary of his consecration. In 1876 he was constituted Archbishop of the Province of Melbourne. Dr. Goold was a very vigorous opponent of the secular system of education, A Melbourno telegram to the Sydney Evening news states that Mr. Bnohan Hepburn, manager of the AmyHorton burlesque company, and who is well known in Wellington, had the good fortune to miss tho Ly-.ee-Moon on her fatal voyage. ¦ The calendar of the New Zealand University for tho year 1886-7 has just been issued by the publishers, Messrs. Lyon and Blair, so that intending students and teachers will be able to obtain all necessary information' in connection with the forthcoming examinations in November antPDeceinber,

The Commander of the Forces is making arrangements for a display of the Harbour defences ai noon as the Government steamer Hinemoa returns from the North. It is proponed to obtain the serriceßof one of the Union Company's boats, and to take members and their friends down to Fort Ballance, when fire ¦will be opened by the 7-ton guns at an imaginary foe attempting to enter the harbour. It will be assumed that the enemy gets past this first fort, and as she advances Fort Halswell and the Kaiwarra and Ngahauranga batteries will open fire, and the torpedo launch will make a claph at the enemy. A line of submarine mines will also be laid in the harbour, and fired by electricity as the enemy is presumed to cross thorn. If a fine day is selected the demonstration will be a very interesting one. We regret to learn that the young survey cadet Paske, whose melancholy death from exposure in travelling from the Clarence to Nelson is reoorded in another column, was a nophew of his Excellency Sir William Jervois. The Defence Department has changed the name of the steam launch Gordon to that of the Mary Larnach. The fort at Point Gordon is to be known as Fort Ballance, inntead of bearing the name of our unpopular ex-Governor. In the Magistrate's Court this morning, four drunkards, first oSendors, were each convicted, and mulct in the penalty of ss, or in default 24 hours' imprisonment. Mr. H. S. AVardell, R.M., occupied the Bench. Several civil cases wero heard in the Magistrate's Court after we went to press" 1 yosterday afternoon. In the caso of W. L. Utiller v. R. Runsfiold, a claim of JJIS, solicitor's costs, judgment was reserved. In Whittaker Bros. v. J. Noon, a claim of Bs, the plaintiff was nonsuited, with costs. Judgment was reserved in the caso of Horace Baker t. T. B. M'Doinild, a claim of .£7B 19s lOd, counnibsion, and also in the caso ot W. R. Beard v. Wo'.lington-Mana-watu Railway Company, in which the plaintiff claimed JC3 15s 4d, the value of goods alleged to have been lost by the defendant company. An assault case was heard in the Magistrate's Court this morning, buforc Mr. H. S. Wardoll, R.M., and Colonel J. G. Butts, J.P. Georgo Stevenson, who was defended by Mr. Shaw, pleaded Not Guilty to the chargo of having assaulted Herman Braun, in Willis-street, on the sth inst. The complainant, a seaman, deposed that when walking down Willis-street, at 11 o'clock hist Saturday night, he heurd footsteps bohind him. Accused overtook him shortly afterwards, and charged him with having called ono of his female acquaintances "a cow." Witness denied the charge, and acousod then knocked him down, and struck him threo times in the faco with a bottlo, inflicting a black eye, and causing blood to issue from his nose and mouth. In cross-examination witness denied that he had ever insulted any of the accused's female frionds. Constable Burrows gavo evidence to the effect that when arrested Stevenson had a lemonade bottlo in hjs pocket, and there was also blood on his face. Falk Cohon, clothier, deposed that on tho occasion alluded to he_ had heard two men, one of whom was ovidoutly a foreigner, engaged in an altercation. Stevenson was placed in the box, and swore that complainant called out to him as he passed along the street, and on going back witness found that he was tho person who had previously insulted one of his frionds. A quarrel ensued, but complainant was the aggressor, and witness had nothing in his hand at the time. Elizabeth Harris swore to insults shown to her by tho complainant. Mr. Wardell considered the assault a serious one, and said ho believed from the evidence that accused had struck the informant deliberately without adequate cause. He was therefore sentonced to 14 days' imprisonment with hard labour. The charge of indeoency preferred against Frank Masters was further investigated in tho Magistrate's Court this morning. Mr. Wardell occupied tho Bench, and Mr. E. Shaw appoared for tho accused. Threo children sworo that thoy saw tho offence committed at noon on Tuesday last. Mr. Shaw asked for another adjournment of tho case, as ho had come prepared with evidence to refute a chargo relating to an offence allegod to have been committed at a lato hour "in the afternoon. His Worship granted the application, and accused was remanded until Tuesday next. A second information, charging accused with having committed a similar offence on Monday last, will also be gone into at tho same time. Accused was admitted to bail— one surety of £25 in each case. The second performance of the opera Patience, by St. Peter's choir, in aid of tho Hospital funds, came off last night, and the weather being fine, thore was a crowded audionce. Whother from this cause or not it is impossible to say, but certainly last night's representation was the best that has yet been given. The performers being thoroughly conversant with their parts, wero able to outer spiritedly into tho " business" of tho piece, and both tho Hinging and acting wont with a "go" which was vory noticeable. All tho principals received loud applause, and thero wore several imperative encores. The amount of money taken at tho doors was about J650. At the closo of tho performance Mr. Lovoday, tho Secretary of tho Hospital Committeo, announced that in consequence of many people having been kept away by tho inclement weather of tho previous night, tho management had arranged to give a third performance on Saturday night at million prices. Tho announcement was receivod with cheers. An advertisement on the subject appears in another column. We are roquestod to state that tho doors will be open at a quarter to 8, and the overture commences at a quarter past 8. Messrs. Josoph and Wright, the proprietors of the Happy Valley and Island Bay Estates, have decided upon the erection of abbatoirs and boiling down works in Happy Valley, and tenders for the work aro now being invited by Mr..W. C. Chatfield, of Westminster Chambers. Tho buildings will bo of wood and iron, and will be very substantial. Tho slaughter house is to bo < built on tho most apprpved principle, and although in point of size it will be inferior to many others in tho colony, it will, as regards tho latest improvements, bo equal to any. A ton roomed residence for tho manager, two workmon's cottages, and a mess room and Blooping quarters for a- dozen mon aro also provided for in the contract. Wo believe it is tho intention of Messrs. Joseph and Wright to commence business as wholesale butchers when their slaughterhouse is ready. Tho following new patents havo boen applied for i— An invention for improvement in manufacture of elootrio belts, to bo called "The Favourite," by Thomas Gager, of Christchurch, tailor ; an invontion for an automatic poison layer, by James Ross, of Masterton, engineer ; an invention for a selffilling limestone filter, for use in tanks, cisterns, and reservoirs, by William Murr White, of South Dunedin, sanitary pipe manufacturer j an invontion for a patent household kmfo.oleaner, by John Broom, sign-writer, and George Majdment, bootmaker, both of Dunedu\; an invontion for a "disinfectant, to bo oalled "Morrison's Patent Disinfectant," by John Morrison, of Auckland, agphalter; an invontion for a new method of arranging railway and othor timo tablos, to be called "'Morgan's Time and Distance Map," by Riohard Douglas Morgan, of Auckland, civil ongineor ; an invontion for a machine for cutting hedges and goreo fences, to bo oalled "Ranger's Patont Hedgo-outtor," by Henry James Ranger, of Christchnroh, ongineer. Mr. Win. Noble delivered tho fourth of his popular temperance lacturos at tho Wesloy Cbnrch last night. Thore was again a large attendance, and Mr. R. Hobbs, M.H.R., presided, while tho Revs. Messrs. W. C. Olivor. L. M. Isitt, J. J. Pendray, and J. K. Elliott, and Mr. Noblo. jun., ocoupied scats on tho platform. Tho lecturer based his remarks upon the toxt " Do thyself no harm," and in enlarging upon tho effects of intoniporance, and the dangor of tho dootrine of moderation, ho contrived to mako his address extremely interesting. This evening Mr. Noble will lecture in the Arcade on the subject of " Lights and Shades of English Life, and will perform musical selections on threo instruments. The ohair will be taken by the Hon. Major Atkinson. To-morrow Mr. Noblo will prosido at a prayer meeting -in tho United Free Methodist Churoh at half-past 7, will , lectnre at tho Aroade at 3 o'clock, and will deliver an address at the evening servioo of the Wosley Church, A contract was let to Mr. James Ranson yesterday for the oroction of an extensive addition to the shop of Mr. A. G. Price, draper and clothier, Cuba-stroot. The vacant allotment on the northern side of tho present building is to bo the site of a shop, having a frontage of 43 feet and a depth of 56 feet. The new premieos will bo both longer and broader than tho present shop, but will only be one story high. -The windows will comprise ten squares of plate glass 12 feet long, and tho ontranco will bo through a door in tho centro C foot wide, on either sido of which there is to bb a sort of show-case for millinery, &c. At tho further •ond,of tho shop will be work and gliow rooms.Counters will run round the shop, and one will go through the centro. Light in the daytime will bo given by a lantern rnnning tho whole length of tho building. This is to be of special construction, and is expected to give the greatest satisfaction. When tho new building is comploted, Mr. Price's premises will havo a frontage to Cuba-street of 70 foet. The plans and specifications woro prepared by Mr. W. 0. Ohatfield, and the contract, which has been let for about .£BOO, will be carried out nnder his supervision. Messrs. Deacon and Co. report the cleaning up of tho'Hofonn Goldnsining Company with a return of 1940z retorted gold from 266 tons. The manager reports a balance in hand of .£3OO after paying all expenses. We learn that the Industrial Gazette and Pastoral News, which 'has been hitherto .published by Messrs 'Edwards and Green, of, this city, lias been purchased Vy Mr. W. Price, who contemplates bringing it out in an improved form. • ' • •¦ A promenade concert and dance is to be held in tho Drill Shed on Wednesday. The proceeds are to by devoted to the Garrison Band fund. A meeting of the Wellington Club was held last evening at tho Gymnasium, Mr. A. T. Bate in tho chair, for the purpose 'ot , filling vacanaies caused by/the resignations of Messrs. Firth and Hemp ton. Mr. R. S. Hirschberg was elected captain ond delegate to the Union, Mr. J. Gordon was chosen secretary, and Mr. A. Reader was elected a member of tho committee. A correspondent referring to the starting of evening classes for young mon by tho Young Men's Christian Association, throws out a suggestion that tho Association should also inaugurate similar classes for girls, aa he is quite suro there aro a largo number who would avail themselves of such facilities for improvement. The second of the Beries of entertainments and lectures in the Christians' Chapel, Dixon-street, last evening, was attended by a numerous audience considering the counter attritions. in, the «ity.. : The lecture by Mr: J. F. Floyd on "Some Mistakes of E. G. Ingeraoll" was attentively I listened to. ' ' - ' :

To-morrow being Whit Sunday, thero will be full choral service at St. Peter's Church. The Canticles will l>e sung to Tours' setting inF. The anthem, "O, for a closer walk with God," is by Myles B. Foster, and ha 3 not yet been heard here. The Rev. W. H. West will conduct the services'at the Congregational Church, Woodward-street, to-morrow as usual. The winter eale of useful and fancy articles i 9 advertised to be held in the schoolroom next Tuesday. Judging from the previous sales we have no doubt the wares offered will be found cheap, varied, and good, and should attract a largo attendance of purchasers. The Rev. J. J. Pendray will discourse in the United Methodist Free Church, Courtenay Place, on Sunday evening next, on The Greatest of all Catastrophes." Sorvices will be conducted as usual tomorrow at St. James' P. reßbyterian Church, Adelaide-road. An address is to be given by Mr. Corrio Johnston at Carter's Hall, Petone, to-mor-row evening, at 7.45. Mr. J. F. Floyd's aubjeot to-morrow evening in the Christians' Chapel, Dixon-street, is " The Moral Leprosy." Mr. D. Hall, missionary, desires to inform the sailors in port that the usual Bethel service will be held in No. 9 room, Athenreum Buildings, to-morrow morning, at 11 o'clock, and that he will bo happy to meet them on that occasion. Subject, "Earthquake and Eruption." Owing to Mr. Noblc'B lecture at tho Arcade this evening the service of song will not be held. As will be seen by advertisement elsewhoro, the Royal Polytechnic Diorama will to-morrow evening exhibit at the Lycoum 150 views of tho principal places of interest in the world, scenes in the gold rush, great extinct animals of the coal measures, Niagara Falls, &c. Our readers are reminded of tho important sale of furniture and offects which will bo held on Monday and Tuesday at the Oxford Hotol by Mr. F. Sidey, when overy lot will bo sold without reserve. The sale will commence at 11 o'clock each day.