A JUVENILE REFORMATORY.

West Coast Times, Issue 1026, 5 January 1869, Page 2

A JUVENILE REFORMATORY.

To the Editor of the West Coast Times

and Observer.

Sir, — The bu-tling festivities of the season having subsided, Aye turn again to the stern realities of life, and amidst the toils of business snatch a feAv minutes leisure to contemplate our present social condition, and our prospects for the future. The latter is hopeful, provided the neAv Council carry out their duties in a satisfactory manner. After nearly tAvo years struggle, Aye arc hoav placed in such a position of local self-government as the most sanguine Separationist scarcely contemplated ; let the Council but act deliberately and firmly in placing the Departmental expenditure upon an economical, yet secure and permanent basis, in order to carry out those vast improvements iv the country districts so long and ardently desired, and reduce to proper dimensions the enormous debt with Avhich avc arc noAv burthened by Canterbury. With regard to pur social position, there are one or two great requirements essential, not only to the present Avell-being of the County, but imperative as to our. future destiny : I allude to the Avaut of a Reformatory for the yoimg, who have been led into vicious and degrading habits by bad example, or the Avant of proper moral culture, where they could be placed under proper restriction, and the ministers of the various denominations could pour the balm of peace into the penitent bosom, and thus endeavor to instil a proper sense of the duties oAving to society. But it has been urged, on a late occasion, that there Avas no place for such juvenile offenders, unless they commit a felony, or render themselves otherwise notorious. In connection with this subject, my attention has been drawn, on several occasions, to the state of our penal establishments— the Upper and LoAver Gaol. Noav, sir, I advocated a long time since that the tAA-o should be amalgamated ; that, with a trifling addition to the cell accommodation, the hard labor men could b> berthed at the Lower Gaol, whilst the Upper one, under the supervision of a competent man and his wife, Avith onethird of the expensive staff that noAv encumber the Department, could be converted into a Reformatory, and a Branch. Hospital, whilst being used also as a place - of detention for unfortunate debtors, and female prisoners.

As a very able pen has already exposed the unsatisfactory state of that prison, I will not take the subject out of his hand*, but will _ content myself whilst waiting 'for the AA'riter's promised information, with urging upon the Council the paramount necessity of remodeling the present, not only unsatisfactory, but costly arrangement. I remain, Sir, Yours, &c,

JOHN CROSS. \V eld-street, Jan. 2, 1869.