THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 1879.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3166, 12 April 1879, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 1879.

The necessity there exists in this Colony for the establishment of more State Beformatories will no doubt be prominently brought under the notice of the Government from the remarks of His Honor Judge Richmond in releasing the boy Bacon from custody, as reported in our Wellington telegrams of Wednesday. The Judge stated "he thought he had deserved punishment, yet he did not wish to send him to a place which would only make him worse than he already was." Such a statement from a judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand should not go unregarded, for it clearly says that the gaols of the Colony are either wanting in organisation, or are altogether inadequate to carry out the administration of the criminal law; and have the effect of making certain classes of criminals worse when leaving their walla than when committed. Such being the position, reform is needed, and the urgency of the case calls for instant attention from the Government. The opinion of Judge Richmond is further confirmed by that of the Resident Magistrate of Auckland, who, in sentencing the boys of the Industrial Home, who stole the boat and provisions, to imprisonment, regretted that -there was no reformatory to which such lads could be sent. The experience of all countries goes to prove that reformatories for youthfui criminals are necessary, for it has been accepted as an axiom that children under 16 years of age should not be sent to a common gaol, but to a reformatory or some place where training might be provided in industry and virtue. Great attention has been paid to the subject in Great Britain, and in 1872 there were 53 reformatories in England, and 12 in Scotland, since which time the number has increased considerably. Judge Richmond said in releasing the boy Bacon upon his parents entering into recognisances, " he thought the public interest would be best served by such a course." All right thinking men will agree with the remark, for the public weal is jeopardized, and the state sustains a loss when any member, instead of being a producer to the general good, becomes an enemy to order and a charge upon the revenue. Aiding in the education of crime, as sending youthful criminals to herd with the more hardened has the effect, is any

thing but the duty of the State, and Judge liichmond, no doubt, spoke from experience when he said he did not wish to send the boy to a place which could only make him worse than he already was. This is a subject of public importance, and every effort should be made to induce the Government to undertake the duty of providing reformatories in addition to the Industrial homes and training ships, to which neglected children are at present sent.