CHARGE OF MISMANAGEMENT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13745, 7 September 1908, Page 5

CHARGE OF MISMANAGEMENT.

In a leading article on this caso , tho Now Zealand Times of Saturday ; last, takes execution to the "local administration" of the Act. Tho paper '"Frankly, wo do not think tho Ministor for Justifo realises the immense responsibility that has boon cast upon him. To ooinnionco with, there was an exasperating dolay in inaugurating the ( prison, of detention. When at last the machinery was mil into operation 'a wing' of 'the New Plymouth Gaol was proclaimed to bo the place for tho ■ carrying on of this important experiment. *" So for as can bo seen no i effort was made to place the under- , 'taking under the personal supervision of an officer specially qualified. It is J a matter of notoriety in official circles j that ono habitual offender is now at , largo under sensational circumstances. r This man has boon working swindles all over Now Zealand for years. He was < declared an habitual criminal in August. 3907. and wont to this New Plymouth 'winy:. 7 Alter a short period of 'reform' he "was placed out on a farm — out of custody. The farm not being declared a gaol, although the prisoner was still supposed to bo undergoing detontion, there was no reason for him to stay longer than he wished. Not being in custody he loft. He did not escape ; he simply jumped over the < fence and disappeared. He, of course, > recommenced his speciality in fraud im- 1 mediately by 'taking down' a rural pub- * lican and the police are understood to be in hot pursuit. The Act provides 1 that no 'repeater' shall be released except by the" express order of tho Govor- ] nor. The Department must accept the responsibility of the paiole given this hardened law-breaker, aril. in face of the scandals which recently arose in connection with the escape of desperate characters from the tree-planting camps, it is not too much to ask for a Ministerial explanation to Parliament of the system employed and the policy which the, Prison Department is striving to pursue in the treatment of criminals of all grades."