LIFE AT PAKATOA.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 988, 11 February 1909, Page 22

LIFE AT PAKATOA.

The Minister for Justice took occasion during his recent visit to Auckland to inspect Pakatoa Island, one of the Government institutions for inebriates. The Hon. Dr. Findlay went to the island, accompanied by Mesrs. C. C. Kettle, S.M., and H. W. Northcroft, S.M., both of whom, as stipendiary magistrates, are naturally interested in the working of this institution. No notification was given to the officials in charge of the island of the visit, which was therefore in the nature of a surprise. The little party left Auck.and on Thursday morning in the steamer Ruru, and arrived at the island after a pleasant trip. Everything on Pakatoa Island was found in the most complete order, and those taking the tr.p were impressed by what they saw. The Minister was pleased to find that the food supplied to the men was excellent in quality and abundant in quantity. He expressed his p.easure at seeing the men in such good health, and he informally addressed them, pointing out that their detention was eutneiy for the.r own benefit, and asking for their loyal co-operation in carrying out the necessary rules and discipline. Several requests by the men the Minister promised to consider, and a petition was received with regard to lengthy periods of detent.on, it being asked that they should be shortened. Genera..y speaking, the inmates of the island looked remarkably well, and there is no doubt that the enforced abstinence, regular hours, and out of door work are conducive to bodily health. Of these benefits the Minister is perfectly well aware, and it being his intention to encourage good conduct on the part of the inmates, he wi 1 cons der the advisability of admitting exemplary men to probation. He will do all he can to temper justice with mercy in the case of those inebriates who are anxious to work out their own reformation.

Dr. Findlay has faith in the ultimate outcome of the Government experiment. He has ben assured by those in a position to know —the magistrates—that many men drifting into the habitual drinking stage made a strenuous effort to pull up when faced with the possibility of an involuntary trip to the island. At the present time there are about 40 men on the island, and it is surprising to find how little discontent there is among them. The most of them seem to realise that they have been exiled from their fellows for their own good. If drunkenness is a disease, then the best cure for it is work and fresh air, as the Pakatoa experiment plainly shows.