INVERCARGILL BORSTAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3886, 4 September 1928, Page 7

INVERCARGILL BORSTAL.

RECREATIVE ACTIVITIES. THE SUPERINTENDENTS REPORT. WELLINGTON, August 28. In the course of a lengthy report on the Invercargill Borstal Institution for Lads, the superintendent (Air C. G-. L. Pollock) states that the conduct and industry of the inmates have been very good, and there were no escapes during the year. Eight Borstal inmates were admitted to the public hospital, mostly for operative treatment. Two of these were in hospital for 80 days and GO days respectively, and the remainder for periods from 11 days up to 29 days. Apart from this, there has been a marked improvement in the health of the inmates. This, it is thought, can be attributed to the improvement in the dietary. School classes have been held regularly throughout the year, and work of sound merit has been accomplished by the three specially appointed visiting teachers. The results have been enhanced by the ready response of the pupils and the good tone prevailing in each class, but the limited time allotted for school work limits also its usefulness, and the need for extending its scope is becoming manifest. Great importance is now attached to the physical training of the lads. Undoubtedly they show marked improvement of physique, and this is partly due to the graduated course of Swedish drill exercises, in which Air Page gives effective instruction throughout the year. The senior class, which represents high proficiency in this form of culture, has been able to give a very fine display, but games, because of their moral and social reactions, as well as their physical benefits, have a strong claim to a place in our educational scheme. They have been organised so that when weather permits every Saturday _ afternoon, on holidays, and in the evenings, Everyone is able to join in some form of sport under the capable direction of Air W. F. Sutton, who has given his services as coach every Saturday afternoon, and at other’ times during the week. Our Rugby football team has become a credit to the institution. This led to a new departure of far-reaching importance in the form of visits from outside teams which meet our boys in the institution grounds. The opening match, played against the Southland Boys’ High School, proved a great success, and augured well for future contests. The visitors declared that their opponents in this instance had played the game in eyery sense of the phrase, that, in fact, the spirit of the match was similar to that which obtains when rival colleges meet —keen riv; by, a hard and fast game, and fair and sportsmanlike play. Other visiting teams ‘ were Marists, Star Invercargill, Pirates, and Technical College. The aggregate points for the season stood in favour of the Borstal team, which in every match extended its opponents’ playing powers to the utmost. The executive of the South-

land Rugby Union has given every assistance and encouragement, and arrangements have been made for tlie Borstal team to enter the competitions of the coming season. When football closed for the year cricket was taken up with a zest which will be increased when the kindly offered visits from outside teams put our players on their mettle. Lawn tennis is now fully provided for, and is proving an exhilarating pastime, and here, too, friendly matches with visitors would be welcomed. A distinct impetus is lent to our recreative activities by such visits. Alore than that, they advance the Borstal another step nearer to its aim of being a recognised part, of the educational rather than of the penal system. When its boys c-an meet on the playing field their contemporaries from without, and spend with them a pleasant time in friendly emulation on a common footing, the delicate service is rendered of getting these bovs in touch with normal society again. A hopeful breach is made in that intangible barrier which to them, at any rate, seemed to cut them off from the- fellowship of decent citizens.