The Star. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1882.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4561, 6 December 1882, Page 2

The Star. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1882.

Tub philanthropists of the mothor country havo had their hearts rejoiced. One of tho great problem b engaging their attention has boon the hereditary tendencies of crime, and the clastic naturo of crime aa oppoeed to repressive measures. In ordor to effoct any appreciable reduction in thn absolutely criminal population of the groat metropolis, for example, it was in the first place neceßßary to determine, as accurately as possible, the sources from which tho criminal clasaea wore bo abundantly recruited. Not much difficulty was experienced in establishing thia basis Thore wero, first, tho children of criminals, and next —an exceedingly large class — tho children of idle, dissolute parents, with a oertain percentage of waifs and strays who wore thieves instinctively — that ia to say, " They must either starve or Bteal." With this undercurrent of crime it seemed at firet to bo hopeless to deal, with any appreciable results for good. However, tho modern Augean stable did not deter earnest workers from making strenuous cfi'orts. Those exertions have been almost a groping in the dark ; but now, daylight is gladdening the workers. Ihe most rocent prison returns show that

notwithstanding the large increase of population during the last decade, the total prison population bas " almost stood still during that period," and that " the proportion of younger oriminals has largely decreased." How appreciable this decrease is may be understood by a oomparison of one of the sets of figures : In 1671 there were 2948 prisoners who wero between the ages of 15 and 24 years. Now, there are only 1957. Of those who are between the ages of 25 and 31 there is no increase. The number of older criminals shows an inoreaße. The inference is that since the number of reoruits to the criminal ranks is being ao markedly diminished, future prison returns will exhibit a very appreciable decrease in the total oriminal population. How has this vastly improved Btate of things been brought about ? The answer is unanimous and emphatic By the improvid educational facilities of the oountry, and the searching work of School Board officers ; and also— and in no slight measure— by the numerous meaus adopted to secure a higher standard of health, physical and moral, for the pooror olasses. In the great metropolis the steadfast aim of tbe philanthropist iB to secure for the rising generation " a more wholesome condition of life," with a special application of this principle to those most liable to become criminals' How do we apply this principle in New Zealand, where, with the immense amount of elbow-room, everything should be morally ss well as physioally healthy? The question may be answered by reference to two prominent institutions— the Burnham Industrial School and the Lyttelton Orphanage. At Burnham, the result of special investigation is eminently satisfactory. Young oriminals (for even in New Zealand we have a juvenile criminal population) are well clad and well fed, and there is plenty of manual ai well ai mental wotk for I hem ta do, most of the manual labour being of the out-door, invigorating type. At the Orphanage thiß is not the case ; and we are strongly of opinion that when a child i« sent there it is unfortunate for the child and unfortunate for the country. Has a child a narrow nature, it will be pinched yet more ; and a youngster's natural spirits will be stifled. If from the Lyttelton Orphanage we gain useful men and women, it will be in spite of the institution, not by its aid. The drawbacks of the place are manifest ; it ought to have been condemned years ago. " Cribbed, cabin'd, and confined;" a narrow strip of asphalt the only playground ; scrubbing, pumping, and drill, varied by drill, pumping, and sorubbing, the " useful occupations " of the inmates from year's end to year's end ; bodily cleanliness, even, secured with difficulty! Are these conditions from which good oan be anticipated P Yet the evils were pointed out, most forcibly, years ago; and they havo been commented upon at frequent intervals.