HOMELESS!

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 5 June 1919, Page 3

HOMELESS!

An elderly woman was charged at the Auckland Police Court the other morning with being illegally on private premises by night. The unfortunate creature said she • had only been discharged from goal the previous afternoon. It was pouring with rain, and as she was quite unable to get a bed for the night she ventured into the wash-house of a private residence. Here she was found at 1 a.m. " I wish I could go to ' the Island,'" she said to the Magistrate, a little hopelessly. She had her wish. She was committed to Pakatoa for 12 months. In making the order the Magistrate remarked it was clear that the accused only went into the wash-house for shelter. I hope she will find "the Island " alright. But really very little *eems to be known regarding this place. It wants " writing up" so that the public may learn just what the methods employed there are, and whether many of the unhappy people who are sent there are really reclaimed. No reflection on the place is intended, because I have not the least idea as to what is being accomplished there. But I should certainly like to know.