DUNEDIN GAOL.

Evening Star, Issue 4139, 2 June 1876, Page 4

DUNEDIN GAOL.

■ To the Editor.

Sm, Governor Caldwell favored the public with a very interesting report of the 1 management of His “model hotel” for 1875. It- is certainly very • complete, but yet not quite as exhaustive as it might; have been. There is one had omission in all such reports —the cause or probable, cause of crime of each criminal is doubtless kept, and should be published in the -annual report. . Thera is a growing oOnviCtioiu that gaols, lunatic asylums, indiustrisd'sohools, and all kinds of benevolent dhsfetUtions 'wonld scarcely be needed at all it hqt fbr tho cursed influences of our • 1 “ftotelm”'The : .governor’s report shows that to. -’be true of the gaol at all events, without stating it‘in sO many words. We sca the; -eex that, almost exclusively patronises gin palaces overwhelming in the majority in his report. Females constituted only about a quarter of the number of his boarders;;during the past year; and even that comparatively small number were doubtleag committed chiefly on account ot the baneful influence of strong . drink. At’ least' fully seventy-five per‘cent Of all the crimes and poverty <?f Christendom is justly chargeable, directly or indirectly, to the sale of alcoholic beverages. Now, then, why grant license to sell abominable, stuff at all ? Stop the manufacture and Sale of intoxicating, drinks and you can almost close.up, your gaol, and will .have very little fleceisity for benevolent .institutions.. Stop • ping-the ..main causa of all our social devils wonld beiwhat doctors call “ curative medicine.” Establishing gaols, lunatic asylums, hospitals, and other benevolent institutions are merely “palliative medicine” for our social-disorders. Preachers, doctors, lawyers/ intelligent people generally, and especially you editors, know, this perfectly well. *1 am really %sfOnifehed at the Pulpit and Piess of Dunedin- for treating the greatest question of the'present generation-with so • much indifference, partly because there are some-respectable, hypocrites engaged in the cursed traffic here. I am, Sea.,

W. M‘D,

Dunedin, May 31