YOUR CLUB AND MINE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 64, 7 June 1927, Page 5

YOUR CLUB AND MINE

AN OPEN PAGE

Each Tuesday afternoon a corner will be reserved for original contributions of general interest to womenfolk. The subject matter is for you to choose—whatever topic interests you may also be of interest or amusement to others, whether it be about your hobbies, experiences, or merely amusing musings about the ordinary round of the day. A book prize is offered weekly for the best effort, which should be brief, plainly written, and sent to “Your Club and Mine,” THE SUN, Auckland. LIFE’S SEAMY SIDE SOMEBODY’S GIRLS A LITTLE ABOUT BORSTAL WORK The prize has been awarded this week to Mrs. M. PI. Chatfield, of Wellington, for the following interesting article on Borstal Work: “The magistrate directed that X. should be committed to the Borstal Institution for a period of three years” —perhaps less time but seldom more. Quite an ordinary newspaper paragraph, but few people, specially away from Wellington where the institution is situated, realise what that means, or what remedial work is going on in their own country? For the Borstal is really a wonderful place, and to it is attached a committee of voluntary workers who are first of all concerned with the after-care of the girls whose time of durance has elapsed, and when they are due to return to ordinary life. Perhaps, before describing the place, it is best to state what it is not; for maay people are under the idea that, to use a common expression, “the girls will be so happy and comfortable that they will will not be in a hurry to lshve it, and will have no feelings Which will deter them from crime, as they will not mind going back.” But, did anyone ever know an animal which had been born in freedom, and was used to it, which would love a cage, however well gilded and provided? Surely never! And in the human breast the love of freedom is thoroughly implanted, especially in the young, and the punishment lies in the fact of incarceration, as well as in the publicity so often given to their cases, which makes it so very difficult to rehabilitate them later on. Ordinary life stops when they are received into the Borstal Institution. The everyday liberty of doing paidfor work, with a certain amount of choice; of walking and talking with friends; of ringing up the telephone; of going out to tea; to pictures or a dance; of doing a little shopping; of speaking to any member of the other sex—all these ordinary, usual things in life, as well as others of a common kind, simply cease. They enter on to a life of rule — rightly and necessarily. They have their days mapped out for them, duties, exercises, recreation, all by order of authority. Doors are locked, and disciplinary officers are always present with them. What ordinary person would voluntarily enter on to such a life, or return to it voluntarily? Few indeed. Now what is being done to make these girls as happy as possible under the circumstances, to improve their outlook, and to fit them for a better life than they have had before they were committed? A very great deal is being done. The housing is thoroughly good. Their rooms, though small, have windows that look out on to grass lawns, or else command a glorious harbour view, making a marked contrast to the old-fashioned, cell window which gave the occupant a narrow glimpse only of the sky above. Sweet and absolute cleanliness reigns. The enamelled iron beds are covered with white spreads, and boast plain little pillow shams. There are pictures on the walls, books and little personal possessions are on the stands beside the beds, and a rug on each polished floor adds a note of colour. It is the same in the dining-room, the touch of refinement is there, and in all the girls are given an ideal of what a real home might and should be, in the hope and expectation that haying lived for some time in such conditions they would never relapse into sordidness. They have, of course, plainer conditions to begin with, and by good conduct can work up to the best which the institution can give. And that is a very good best indeed. The library and evening recreations are under the same terms. Education goes on under the guidance of speci-ally-qualified instructors, and each girl has an opportunity of going on from her last standard of work, whatever it may have been, and can take up new study if she wishes, all under the same capable instruction. There is a well-equipped laundry that takes in outside work from other Government departments, and a dairy which is a source of profit. Flowers and vegetables are grown, and the outdoor work is found to be both beneficial and popular. Gymnasium and games form part of the day’s plan, and it is hoped that these may have a special use in creating a liking for good outdoor recreation, and fitting the girls for association with sports girls, with whom they will find a wholesome outlet for girlish high spirits, which oftentimes are the real reason for their having got into trouble. Then comes the Borstal Committee, which was formed under the patronage and presidency of her Excellency Lady Alice Fergusson, who takes a real" and kindly interest in the work and the girls. The function of this committee is to provide some outside weekly recreation, either music, a lecture on some interesting subject, advanced needlework, art and craft work, etc., all of which are greatly appreciated. Then each member of the committee endeavours, when a girl leaves

the institution, to find her a "womanfriend in the place she goes to, who will take a real interest in her, and help her in every possible way, and who will report to the committee if the girl is in need of any assistance or is in social danger. Strict confidence is observed, and the girl is helped to get a-way from her past, and from the conditions which led up to her trouble, whatever it may have been. “Unto the least of these” is kindness, consideration and thought given, and it is hoped and believed that the Girls’ Borstal will do much under the present conditions (which have been evolved in the course of years of modern thought and study of like problems, and with an earnest endeavour on the part of the authorities to do the very best for difficult natures) for the nochancers, who are suffering a great deal for no sins of their own, but mostly from bad heredity, environment and companionship. Let every New Zealand woman and girl give these girls, and all who work for them the kindest thoughts, thus doing their “bit” to assist in a most important and humane work. The effort to mitigate a life of detention is not an easy one, and needs the understanding sympathy of all citizens. —M. H. CHATFIELD.