BORSTAL TRAINEES

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1929, Page 7

BORSTAL TRAINEES

PLAYING RUGBY IN PUBLIC. In Invercargill recently a team representing the Borstal Institution pl'aved a Rugby match against a town fifteen in a public park. Afr B. L. Dallard, who, until recently, was Controller of Prisons, was one of those who saw the match, and he afterwards had some interesting remarks to make. “From a Departmental point of view,” he said, “considerable interest, is attached to the initial match played outside the institution. Tt is quite a novel experiment. not only in New Zealand, but in England, where t-lm Borstal system was inaugurated quite n.nart from the interc.st aroused hv a good, clean game of football.” It is finite clear, lie added, that most delinquency arose from selfishness, and anything that could be done to inculcate the team spirit was going to be a great corrective in that resnoot. Tn time gone hv a more negative attitude was adopted in the treatment of offenders, a rather low standard was maintained, and, at that time, for any failure to conform to the regulations the refractory ones suffered punishment by way of de privation. “To-dav we endeavour to adopt a more positive attitude by providing privileges as a stimulus to good conduct,” said Afr Dallard, “and it is onlv when inmates fail to prove their worthiness for these that they are deprived of them. Tn other words we throw out a- challenge, to tlie good that is within..'them. AVitli regard t< football, the lads have found it r

groat privilege and an honour to hr chosen to represent the institution and in plaving outside they feel tha J through them not only the public, o* Invercargill but the whole of the Do minion, and. as was disclosed recent 1y by the Hon D. H. Drummond Australia, is watching developments

“That public opinion endorses tlib somewhat bold experiment of the De partmeiit js\evidenced by the fn.e' that the football uniforms, jerseys trousers, and.'boots were given to the institution -, through the Southland Rugby .Football Union, and the bovtherefore feel a consciousness that through this public act,, society r willing to extend a' friendly hand and not to regard them altogether a* outcasts'. . That the hoys appreciated this point, to the full was amph shown; by the clean and sporting man ner in which '.they com ported themselves on the' field. Tlie Tact that other teams are willing to play ir such a friepcllv spirit,will also have an effect oil the lads far more reach ing than the members of tlie teams would realise.” Mr Dallard also said that the Department was deeply indebted to tlie Southland Rugby Union and to Afr AY. F. Sutton for liis splendid services as coach. Tlie Southland Union, in addition to providing the immediate facilities, realised with tlm •Department the necessity for tin after-care of the lads when discharg od, and to assist in this respect i ! had arranged to advise other union l in the case of lads discharged, so that they might be welcomed and encouraged to take up football no matter where they are situated.