HABITUAL DRUNKARDS BILL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 179, 29 July 1879, Page 4

HABITUAL DRUNKARDS BILL.

{Evening Post.]

An important bill, entitled " An Act to Facilitate tha Control and Care of Habitual Drunkards," introduced by the Hon. Colonel Whitmore, has juat been printed. The Act provides that County and Borough Councils may establish »"d maintain homes for treatment of patients under the Act, subject to the approval of tbe Governor, such homes to be called " Homes for Habitual Drunkards." The cost is to b« paid out of the County or Borough Fund. Where no such home is established premise! may be by tbe Governor for the same purpose, the eoit to be />aid out of the Consolidated Fund and deducted from tne ■übiidiea payable to the county or borough wherein &;uch home is eetablisbed. Every Reagent Magistrate n»y license premises »?■ retreats for private treatment of persons* toe license to have no effect, how^™r, until approved by tbe Governor. "The license !i renewable yearly. Patient* 1 may be admitted in two ways— either voluntarily or upon tbe application of *heir friends. Any habitual drunkard desirous of being admitted into a ho.me or retreat may make application »n writing to the keeper of the home for admission, inch application to Btste the time daring which such applicant undertakes to remain in tbe borne. Tbe signature of the applicant to suoh reqoeit is to be attested by a J.P. or a solicitor of the Supreme Court, who ■ball explain to the applicant the effect of hie application. Upon tbe application of the parent, hosband, wife, relative, or guardian of any habitual drunkard, tbe Besident Magistrate may summon each person to appear, and upon proof of the aervice of tbe summons, and that tbe person summoned is an habitual drunkard within the meaning of the Act, the B.M. may make an order authorising the apprehension of such person, bis conveyance to a home, a,nd his detention and treatment therein for any term oot less than one month •nd not exceeding twelve months. Id default of such proof, the summons shall be dismissed with costs against tbe ItppUeant. The summons shall, if tbe person summoned so require, or in tbe the discretion of tbe 8.M., may be heard in private. Patients voluntarily admitted may be discharged by the 8.M., upon the request in writing of the keeper of the house, if it shall appear to aucb B.M, to be reasonable and proper. Unless so discharged tHo patient may be detained till the Expiration of the term mentioned in his application, provided that such term shall not exceed the period of twelve months. Patients admitted by order, may, upon the request in writing of the person applying for tbe order, or on the request of the keeper of the home, be discharged, by the order of any two Justice of the Pe^ce, if such request ehall appear to them to be reasonable and proper. Tbe &M. nay at any time after tbe expira. piration of the first three months of the lgiHJieni's detention, permit him, by Beenae under his hand, to live with •ny trustworthy and respectable person stibed In the license willing to take charge of him for the benefit of his health. Such license shall not be in force more than two months but may be removed for a similar period from Jime to time until the patient's period 'df detention is expired. Patients may bo ordered to pay t e coat of their painteoance, and visiting Justices may order persona detained in homes ffr"l» employed at suitable labor. The Qoveroor(io Council may make rules for the inspection of bpmea and their management, and prescribe fees under tbe A*t Tb6 Colonial Secretary may at sny time, under tbe recommendation Of an Inspector under tbe Act, or at his own discretion, order tbe discbarge Of sty person detained in any home or retreat. Another eafe-guard provided b that a Judge of the Supreme Court may Order inspection at any time, and fctiiy order t'be person detained to be fllicjiarged. ' Various offences are created under the Act, such as making • false statement in applying for a license, ill-treating patients, suffering fljtfejjr escape, harboring escaped persons. ■uppfying patients with liquor, patients contravening rules of home, &c, for an? of, whioh the offender is liable to a penalty of £20, or six months imprisonment with or without hard labor. The officers of the home are to have the powers of constables. An appeal fe provided under " The Appeals from Justices Act, 1367 ;" and if any Judge of the Supreme Court shall be satisfied •pon affidavit that it is detrimental to jAe health of any person detained in a home that such person should be further detained therein, or that such petson will not be benefited by the curative treatment, such Judge may fdirpot that such person shall be immediately disobarged from the home.