INEBRIATES' INSTITUTIONS ACT.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 484, 17 April 1909, Page 6

INEBRIATES' INSTITUTIONS ACT.

: A ~ : »-. .' ..■'. ■■:,: .?' A' PECULIARITY.. ; Dr TIHSOBAFH—FKRas ASSoeUTIOHO , ' ■:- : '--''V'i'\'---::'.-lnvercargiH l -April'i6:' '.. At the Police: Court, to-day, a young woman, who did not appear, was charged on two informations with breaches of a prohibition order. In the absence of accused, who was reported 'to be in such a state as'■ to make her attendance an impossibility, the hearing was.. adjourned. Later. : in the - day steps were taken with a view to having the young woman committed under the Inebriates'. Institutions 'Act to -'some - institution' where she would receive treatment. It appears, however,; that, though legislation is provided to deal with such cases, there is no existing institution',of'the'''kind contemplated by the Act. ; There are homes to which habitual drunkards may be committed, butj legally, a/habitual drunkard is a person who has been thrice convicted of drunkenness within nine months. The young 'wothough prohibited, has never been convicted three times. The matter was finally arranged by,;the -Magistrate, .recording- a conviction on the ifirst charge, with a fine of £10, in default two I months in gaol, the! line not to be imposed if the woman agrees to stay twelve months at the Mount Magdalene home. The hearing of the second charge was adjourned sine die, in the hope that what had been ' done might -have the effect;sought. V •!•■.