THE HABITUAL DRUNKARDS BILL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 902, 1 August 1879, Page 3

THE HABITUAL DRUNKARDS BILL.

This Bill provides that County and Borough Councils may establish and maintain homes for the treatment of patients under the Act, subject to the approval of the Governor, such homes to be called “Homes for Habitual Drunkards” The cost is to he paid nut of the county and borough fund. Where no such home is established, premises may be acquired by the Government for the same purpose, the cost to be paid out of the Consolidated Fund, and deducted from the subsidies payable to the county or borough wherein such home is established. Every Resident Magistrate may license premises as a retreat for private treatment of persons, the licenses to have no effect, however, until approved by the Governor. The license is renewable yearly. Patients may he admitted in two ways,' either voluntarily or upon the application of their friends. Any habitual drunkard desirous of being admitted into a home may make application in writing to the keeper of the home for admission, such app'ication to state the time during which such applicant undertakes to remain in the home. Upon the application of the parent, husband, wife, relative, or guardian of any habitual drunkard, the Resident Magistrate may summon such person to appear ; and upon proof of the service of the summons, and that the person summoned is an habitual drunkard within the meaning of the Act, the Resident Magistrate may make an order authorising the apprehension of such person, his conveyance to a home or retreat, and his detention and treatment therein for any term not less than one month and not more than twelvemonths. In default of such proof, the summons shall be dismissed with costs against the applicant. The summons shall, if the person summoned so require, or in the discretion of the Resident Magistrate, may he heard in private. Patients voluntarily admitted may be discharged by the Resident Magistrate noon the request, in writing, of the keeper of the home if it shall appear to such Resident Magistrate to be reasonable and proper. Unless so discharged the patient may be detained till the expiration of the term mentioned in his application, provided that such term shall not exceed twelve months. Pat'ents admitted by order may, upon the request in writing of the person applying for the order, or on the request of the keeper of the homo, be discharged by the order of any two J.P.’s, if such request shall appear to them to be reasonable and proper. The Resident Magistrate may at any time after the expiration of the first three months of the patient’s detention permit him by license under his hand to live with any trustworthy and respectable person named in the license, willing to take charge of him for the benefit of his health. Such license sha 1 not be in force for more than two months, hut may be renewed for a similar period, fiom time to time, until the patient’s period of detention has expired. Patients may he ordered to pay the cost of their maintenance, and visiting Justices may order persons detained in homes to be employed at suitable labour. The G ive.mmeiit in Council may make rules for the inspection of homes and their management, and proscribe fees under the Act. The Colonial Secretary may at any time, on the recommendation of an inspector under the Act, or in Ids own discretion, order the discharge of any person detained in any home nr retreat. Another safeguard provided is that a Judge of the Supreme Court may order inspection at any time, and may order the persons detained to he discharged. Various offences are created under the Act, such as making a false statement in applying for a license, ill-treating patients, suffering their escape. harboring escaped persons, supplying patients with liquor, patients contravening rules of home, &c., for any of which the offender is liable to a penalty of L2O, or six months’ imprisonment, with or without hard labour. The officers of the home are to have the power of constables. An appeal is provided under the Appeal from Justices Act, ISii 7 ; also, if any .Indie of the Supreme Court shall he satisfied upon affi lavitthat it. is detrimental to the health of any person detained in a home that such person should bo further detained therein, or that such pcsou will not be benefited by the curative treatment, such Judge may direct that such person shall bo immediately discharged from the home.