Guardian Garbutt

NZ Truth, Issue 1193, 11 October 1928, Page 6

Guardian Garbutt

TO feel that ,one: is faithfully fulfllllnir his office for the State- and lncl- ' dentally serving- one of , the vital cduseV of civilisation/ is the reward of conscientiousness. But toV have one's worlc outspokenly appreciated to those insehior office, from, the pen of a grateful: fellow-citizen, Is the prize of honest human endeavor. . . Some little time ago the Minister of Justice" received a letter from a Dunedin resident whose steps had been restored to the highroad of ; clean citizenship by the finger-posts of probation. That letter blessed the name of John Garbutt, Dunedin . Probation Officer, whose hand of justice had lent its sympathetic assistance along/ the delinquent's path to rehabilitation. The duties of probation officer suit Garbutt like the proverbial glove. Not only are the results of his diligence incontrovertible, but also the lines upon which he works his "reforms" give ample proof of "kindness being more potent than clink. He is an ardent disciple of. the rake and spade, and as" the poet tfells us, "we are nearer "God's heart m a garden than anywhere else on. .earth," it may have something- to do with the deep-seated sense of rightful fellow-feeling which seems to guide Garbutt along his track of duty. j •■ * _ ;