DEPARTMENTAL PROVINCIAL REPORTS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 272, 22 May 1874, Page 2

DEPARTMENTAL PROVINCIAL REPORTS.

We purpose to make a few suggestive extracts in this issue from the°reports submitted to the Government by theheads of the chief departments. Mr. James Caldwell, who has obtained (and deservedly so), a very high reputation m Europe and America, has something special to say with regard to the future dealing habitually convicted drunken women and prostitutes. He says :

The class of male prisoners received presents no element calling for any special comment. However, upon examination of the class of female prisoners received, it Trill be found that the most of them are from the lowest quarter or the town, from densely populated localities where numbers are crowded in lane* and often where numbers are huddled together in the same house. In such an atmosphere, self-respect, morality, and the sacredness of tamilylife are soon, destroyed ; and where intemperance reigns supreme, and carries with it no sense of shame or social degradation, we cannot be surpnsed if drunken brawls assaults, and riotous conduct become the order of Hie day My experience has convinced me that drunkenness overcrowds this gaol more than crime. So important a fact may warrant my again urgmg the necessity of a more uniform system 01 administering the law as regards old confirmed drunkards, • who are determined to set law and public decency at defiance. To give a woman, whl has been twenty or thirty times in gaol for drunkenness, one month can have ncfe

Eunitive deterrent or moral effect Society, as a right to be protected from the demoral--8 ing influence of this class of habitual drunkards. Such people, if they can be reclaimed, will only bo so by long or permanent confinexnent, whore, removed from all possibility of 'obtaining drink, the force of habit is weakened and subdued, and where they gradually aequiro new ideas and self-respect. If crime is to bo checked, we must crush it in its earliest stages, before it has matured into habit. Prison, solilary confinement, hard labor, even the dark ci*U huve not the least deterrent effect upon a young woman who has been in gaol four times,for being drunk and disorderly, and whose longest sentence was seven or fourteen days, 'there is a lurge class of these women coming constantly to gaol,' who if, on their third commitment, received a sentence of two or three years, would, I am certain,, be deterred by such powerful means from drink and prostitution. I repeat, no length of confinement or severity of punishment will detnr the confirmed criminal class; but those entering upon the path of evil, especially girls, can bo turned aside from it by the terror of prison life and the fear of the loss of liberty.

The return showing the expenditure on the gaol shows the same self-support-ing element so exceptionally conspicuous in Dunedin gaol, the expenditure having been £6,355,, and the earnings £6,518, showing a balance to credit of £l5B. Mr. Caldwell has good reason to congratulate himself upon such a result, arid the Province upon the possession of so good a servant. Tho rate of labor being reckoned at only 7s. per day makes nm'ple allowance for the labor not being free labor, but forced. The Commissioner for Crown lands reports that the amount of land sold within Hundreds from April Ist, 187 a, to March 31st, 1874, was 124,646 a. 2r. 35p„ netting £115,431 J 9s. sd. The area sold in the same interval outside Hundreds being 44,685 a. 2r. 18p., netting £47,726 13s. 2d.

Mr. M'Kerrow, Chief Surveyor, reports for 1 his department that

The field staff is rather undermanned at present, but in the field and offices there are_ eight cadets in training, and two others to join, so that the deficiency is in a fair way of being made up.' In the head and district survey offices the draughtsmen have been engaged with the reduction and copying of plans, and with the preparation of Crown grants, mining, agricultural, and pastoral leases. . It may be noted here that, with the exception of the land in Southland? . . and the 9 raquair Hundred, there is no extent of land in Otago now open for selection on immediate payment. Mr. G. Duncan, the District Engineer, reports on the works on road? under his charge : ' ' West Taieri Bridge to Kough Kidge.— This road is maintained by day labor, and is now in a fair state of repair. A great improvement could .be effected in that portion leading down to the Wharri Creek by cutting a siding, the present track is positively dangerous; and, should this work be carried out, it will be of infinite benefit to all travelling upon the road. Tenders are called for the erection of a bridge over the Lee Stream, and a sura placed on the Estimates for ■ the bridging of the Deep Stream, a work of the greatest necessity. • Palmerston to Manuherikia.—This 'road, which may be termed a very fair summer road, has undergone a'great deal of improvement wjthin the last twelve' months." Tenders have been accepted for the cutting of new roads at VVaihemo and Coal Creeks, of which the latter, when completed, will,. no doubt increase the traffic to a considerable ex-' tent. There has likewise been a great deal of labor expended in pitching and gravelling a portion of tho new road at Houndburn Hul. A sum is placed upon the Estimates •fw Completing this work. There are still several steep pinches existing, which can be avoided by cutting sidings, and at a trifling expenditure; these I intend to carry out bv day labor., ' Kyeburn' Crossing to Eden Creek, via Naseby.—A sum is placed upon the Estimates for effectively maintaining this road as previously maintained.

The District Engineer, Mr. T. Fergus, reports:— Manuherikia Eiverto Dunstan.—A deviation has been made at Tiger Hill of about 40, chains, which is the only improvement of any consequence effected during the year. It is highly desirable that, about of road near ■ Mr. Worth's place shjtld be pitched and gravelled, as it is so bad in winter that waggons are often delayed for days. Two new bridges will be required here—one a foot .bridge over the Manuherikia at Blacks, as in the event of rain, the river rises so rapidly that communication is often suspended; the other over Chatto Creek at M'Donald's, as the ford is Very bad and the bed of the stream is constantly shifting. Becks to Tinkers and Drybread.—A sum of £SO voted last year has been expended by Tinkers Improvement Committee in much needed repairs, and there is still great room for improvement.

Mr. Cairns' report does not call for any comment from us, except from its somewhat original conclusion. After ably reporting on works in progress, he concludes thus:—• , h Commending these views to your careful scrutiny, I know of nothing else calling for reference by

Aiexander Cairns, Inspector of Works.