ON ROTOROA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 27 August 1924, Page 9

ON ROTOROA.

WORK AMONG THE INEBRIATES

At the Salvation Army Hall last evening, to a good audience, Major Macaulay, the divisional commander for the Taranaki Division, gave a most interesting and instructive talk on the work of the Salvation Army among the inebriates on Roto Boa Island. The Major, who was manager on the island for over two years, was able to give tacts and figures to support all his statements. The island was acquired 16 years ago bv the Salvation Army, and in that time some thousands of men have passed through, doing varying terms from six months to the maximum two years. The men there on the island were under three headings—those committed by the magistrate for drunkenness and who have been convicted at least three times, those who have committed themselves, and those committed by their relations on medical evidence. The Major spoke of the duties of each man during his term. F.nch man was expected to do some work for a few hours each day, but was free at 3.30 u.m. each day, when lie could then engage in recreation. There was a billiard room, a football, cricket, and bowling green, and the men were encouraged to take up some branch of snort, it being felt that if their minds were continually engaged there was more chance of reformation.

flic day s routine was as follows: 6.30, the rising hell sounded, and each man had to get up and was responsible for the cleanliness of his own cubicle; 7.15 a.m.. breakfast; 8 a.m.. sick parade; 8.15, work; 10 a.m.. morning tea; 12, dinner. The menu for each meal was varied, and was well cooked and supplied in plenty, a whole sheep being needed for each meal. The religious side was not forgotten. prayers being held each day. No man was compelled to come, each man being perfectly free to follow his own religious convictions.

It was found that at least 54 per cent af the men made good after their discharge from the island. Thus after 16 years’ work there were over 1400 men whom it was definitely known had made good. Every type of man was represented ■on the island, from the professional man, who was entitled to place many letters after his name and nas the associate or fellow of colleges, to the humblest and the most vicious type. Still a good work was being accomplished by the Salvation Army officers, who were responsible to ' the Government of New Zealand for the care of over 100 men. and who lived there in practical isolation for the good of the community.