THE. COLONIST. NELSON, TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 1858.

Colonist, Issue 90, 31 August 1858, Page 2

THE. COLONIST. NELSON, TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 1858.

We are happy to he able to announce the almost entire suspension of business by a firm coeval in date with the founding of the settlement. The receipts at the present time hardly equal the charges' account. We allude to the Police Court; a' depression of business in that establishment argues a general healthy tone in business elsewhere. Our readers may have noticed lately an absence of Police reports, and we are glad to state that it is owing to an absence of cases to report. For the last few days, with but a few exceptions, and those of no moment, the principal transgressors would appear to have been goats and horses. Even strong drink has furnished us with but one example; and all grosser and more violent crimes are entirely wanting. This is strange, if we compare tlie present with the past; and we must leave the question as to why it is so, to some amateur in political economy. We liave, it is true, the charge of the Judge of the Supreme Court to refer to, and in it we are told that our Calendar contains a heavy list of aggravated crimes. This, had it been written after the trials, would, we think, have been considerably modified in its expressions. With the exception of one case, those most heinous in description fell to the ground, and after the examination by Grand and Petty Jury, were deprived of tlieir serious character. We must not deem it possible that we can exist without offences being committed ; but we may now pride ourselves that those which are do not cla3S amongst the most criminal. The charge of a Judge, solemnly given in an open Court, admits of no recal or. qualification; and it is for tliis Province to so redeem its character as to cause the presentation on the next sitting of tlie Supreme Court of a blank sheet. No better or more worthy answer could be given to the stigma under which we labor, than a pair of white gloves to Mr. Justice Gresson.

We must not, however, in anticipation of the •future, look carelessly back upon the past. Our gaol now contains fifteen who are paying the penalty of outraging the laws of the land. We should look upon them as beings whose lives have been worse than useless, they have been detrimental ; and it will not be too much to ask from their hands a day's hard labor for the benefit of that society they have injured. At present, they are playing; at road-njaking; and it would be a curious little statistical fact if the amount of work performed were assessed by competent judges. In Australia, there is a fixed amount of labor, which must be performed, and if not accomplished, confinement and a low diet is the result. It was said, and somewhat humorously, by one in charge of prisoners in a neighboring province, that unless he treated his charge civilly, he should never persuade them to stop. This to European ears would sound simply absurd. It should be taken into consideration also, that of these fifteen there are four who receive from the Government of this Province an allowance for the family they have left destitute— eight daily rations are provided for the wives and families of M'Donald, Dougherty, Mo^ck, and

Goodwin. These men then surely should do some service. To prevent their escape, two policemen are . engaged; and the amount of work done might perhaps equal the value of their salaries. Just now there is an amount of roadmaking and repairing necessary, and it would well repay the province were an Inspector of Prisonlabour appointed who would see that these men do actually earn the food supplied them. Any who may chance to have seen a party at work will well know the lack of energy displayed. Not one contractor in this town would we are assured find these men in home and provisions for the task they perform. The great hive of human nature is so composed that drones must be found, but they should exist amongst that class who, if idle for good, have not been active for evil. Unnecessary harshness and cruelty we would deprecate by every means in our power ; but a necessary severity towards those who offend is due to the honest man who labors hard to support his .family. The condition of a criminal should bear comparison with his in an inverse ratio. There are sins amongst us which human laws do not control; -but those which are recognised should be clearly marked out and punished. Those who have most sought to injure society should be those most forced to work for its advantage.

Let then the Government take some steps to insure a day's hard labor from those sentenced to it. There is too much indolence at present,; and with public works behind hand no exertion/should be spared to complete thorn. Let each man's daily task be apportioned to him by a competent superintendent, and let the completion of that be his right to continue on full rations himself and

family,

We should find a wonderful improvement in the workmanship of some if bread, water, and confinement was the lot of the idle. That the extra work performed would pay an additional salary we do not doubt. The experiment is not a costly one, let it be tried.

By a reference to our advertising columns it will be found that it is proposed to erect a Bathing Establishment. As a rule Aye are much adverse to calling public attention in this column to any schemes which are proposed and advertised ; and did we consider this in the light of a private adventure, should not do so now. There are, however, cases in which we may break through this rule, and those should be where a public benefit is the matter advertised. Few that are resident here but lament the great difficulties attendant upon Bathing. Tbe large and voracious fish which are known to abound within our harbor make even the boldest shrink, and the absence of any recognised spot in the Maitai creates another obstacle. Medical science has shewn so clearly the advantages of bathing, the custom of ancient nations, and the practice of Europeans, that it will be unnecessary for us to write even one line upon it. It is now proposed to establish upon a spot at present neglected a set of baths, with the necessary accompaniments. They will have the advantage of a supply of both fresh and salt water. There will be hot as well as cold baths, and we believe that in case of necessity medicated and'vapour baths could be supplied. The salt water -will be fresh twice in every twenty-four hours.

An undertaking like this, even though it should produce a profit to the proposers, is one which we may fairly take notice of. There is such a general good tp all, if properly carried out,, that we consider we do not overstep the limits of proper decorum in assisting by our endeavours to see it'soon started; 'and we are informed that it is a matter of some moment that those who intend to become subscribers should at once intimate their intention, as the rapidity with which the works can proceed depends greatly on the numbers who will hereafter be subscribers.

In the days of the G-Esars, baths for the people were an imperial gift. We do not expect to see much assistance offered by our Government; but should it lay in their power to do so, the community would no doubt feel grateful.