NAPIER GAOL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 277, 19 August 1919, Page 8

NAPIER GAOL

'"ALLEGATIONS CREATE INDIGNA- " . TION. ■ By Telegraph—Press Aeaociation. i ' " Napier, August 19. f. The Rev. J. IC Archer's statements res'-' .- the Napier gaol have caused great j., indignation locally.. Gaoler J. C. Sejunj j lon,"in his official position, did-not feel i disposed to day very much. However, j. he wondered what definite allegations j ; could be made. At one time, about four - -cur' five years ago, the gaol was Bome- | -what. overcrowded, but that would not | ,-,jy?,rnuit .such severe criticism. Mr, i 'Archer was ohaplain to .tho gaol be- ? . hreen 1910 and 1913. Mr. Scanlon was !'. • , of tho opinion that if Mr.'Archer saw : Buch shocking sights ho had neglected !: 'his duty sadly in not making it publio ! at tho time. Mr. Scanlon would yrel- !' , come tho permission of tho Department to throw the prison open for inspection - by the Press and reputable citizens. Mr. J. S. Large, who has been visiting justice for 30 years, characterises the statements as quite erroneous., "I'have Xtover seen anything like tho rubbish that fellow was talking." Tho Rev. J. Hobbs states': Dunais the ' past three years I liavo been a privileged : friend of prisoners, seeing them frequently on Sundays and.weok days, and having the confidence of several both during their imprisonment and after their ' discharge. No individual has ever spoken to me one word in disparagement ot «[® institution, of tho officers or of the treatmenfc received, but inoro than one lias mentioned even with gratitudo the manner in which punishment is administered With kind consideration, and the evi. dent desire on the part of all that each one should leave tho prison a better man, but with no desire to return. Mr. A. L. Beattie, visiting justice to tho gaol, is highly indignant, and wishes to most emphatically deny tho troth of . the statements. Frtmi notices posted m the gaol -prisoners all know they may spea;k to o. visiting justioe at any. time, . yet Mr. Beattie hardly over, receives a complaint and certainly nevor a aimplaint of a serious natiuo. Mr. lieattio feels that tho remarks .of Mr, Archer suggest that ho as visiting justice IB not' performing his duty, and naturally strongly resents any such lnnuondo.

AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT. By Telograph—Press, Association. Christchurch, August 19. In regard to-the charges against the Napier prison nmde by Mr, R. D. Martin at tho Council of Churches last mght, tlie following official information JiaSibcen received from Wellington: "Ntu pier prison is only used for snort-sen-tenced .prisoners, and the averap number tbero is 1G or 17. The building w old but thoroughly satisfactory and sanitary. It is constantly visitod by visitin» justices and' others, and thore has been no single complaint in W case. The property has been sold to the Nupier Borough which takes possession, iu April next.