A LETHAL LAKE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CI, Issue 11884, 6 May 1899, Page 2

A LETHAL LAKE.

TO THE EDITOE, Sir,—As it seems impossible to get those inebriate homes off waste paper on to solid brick and mortar facts, might I suggest another mode of dealing with our inebriates and vagrants. Dig a new lake in Hagley Park; place a 4arge; signboard ■ near it ornamented with a skull and crossbones and other cheerful tokens, and then write in lurid letters these words • “ Lethal Lake; a Quiet Resting Place for Vagrants.” If you reduce , people’s thoughts and words to a logical position, you find this, “It is really a good thing the old woman drowned , herself.” Very well, then ; if it bo a good j thing, for “ goodness ” sake let us quickly ] set about arranging for the’ desirable object—the drowning of all our imbecile inebriates. The lake could be further utilised as a playground for our children. : I am nob at all sure that the sight of a floating corpse is more awful to the eyes of our little ones than the spectacle of a ■drunken woman living and shameless! Seriously, I cannot but think the police entirely responsible for the death of Mary Moxham;' not the young constables who are constantly being changed •from town.to town and cannot know the notorious characters by mere sight, but the authorities who have been in charge for years ; they knew perfectly well the mental condition of that woman. They knew our Magistrate remarked in full Court that she was only fit for a prison or a home, and they let, not well alone but bad •alone. Hence the paragraph, “ Ppund Drowned.” Who else is responsible ? But the public is the final court, and to it I ; appeal. Insist on the women being under legal restraint ; nothing else will answer. The police can do it perfectly easily if they like to deal with the subject in a proper fashion. Bring the inebriates before the court charged as “ rogues and vagabonds,” and the Bench can then give long sen- / tences. In the meanwhile we must agitate for the Inebriate Homes. Poor, souls! (I mean the women, not the police). A prison with its warm beds and wholesome food is better than death in the cold river. I trust this letter will rouse attention to. a hideous evil.—l am, etc., E. W. CHNNINGTON.