SIR JOHN FINDLAY AT TE AWAMUTU.

Waipa Post, Volume II, Issue 65, 28 November 1911, Page 2

SIR JOHN FINDLAY AT TE AWAMUTU.

PRISON FARM AT WAIKERA

FOUNDATION STONE LAID

The intentions of the Justice Department in connection with the proposed reformatory farm at Waikera have been a subject of considerable interest to all local residents for some months. On Friday last an opportunity arose to enlighten the public mind of these intentions, on which occasion Sir John Findlay performed the customary ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new reformatory buildings. The stone itself was a magnificent specimen of Coromandel granite, which is inscribed :

This Stone was Laid by

The Hon. Sir John Findlay, K.C.M.G., K.C., L.L.D.,

Minister for Justice and AttorneyGeneral, On 24th November, 191 i.

Hon. R. McKenzie,

Minister Public Works. John Campbell, F.R.1.8.A., Architect.

The weather, though fine during the ceremony, was decidedly stormy during the earlier part of the day, and rain fell consistently until within half-an-hour of the ceremony, In view of this, together with the consequently bad state of the roads, a very large number were prevented from being present. There were, however, about 5° residents and visitors present.

THE REFORMATORY FARM. The Justice Department have taken over about 1500 acres of land, a portion of a block of over 6,000 acres acquired by the Government for the dual purpose of a prison reformatory and mental hospital farm. The site of the new buildings is pleasantly situated at about the centre of the farm and about ten miles from Te Awamutu.

In addition to Sir John and Lady Findlay, there were present •: Mr Waldegrave (UnderSecretary for Justice), Rev. J. Kayll (prison adviser), Dr Gribben (Assistant Inspector of Mental Hospitals), Brigadier Bray (in charge of the men's social work of the Salvation Army in New Zealand), and several local residents, as well as a number of settlers from the surrounding districts. The party drove out from Te Awamutu, the function taking place at midday.

THE CEREMONY. On behalf of theiprincipal officers of the Department Mr Waldegrave (Under-Secretary of the Justice Department) presented Sir John Findlay with a silver trowel suitably inscribed in honour of the occasion. Before laying the stone Sir John pointed out that the scheme to which the first definite step was being taken that day was to serve two cardinal objects: (1) the protection of society, and (2) the reformation of the criminal. While punishment must be retained it in no way could be looked upon as revenge, but as a deterrent and a protection. The protection of society was the first aim of every criminal code and prison system. He would not go into details of the Crimes Act, but a very large proportion of fallen humanity could, under conditions such as would be provided at the reformatory farm, by industry be reformed. It was not onlj' the moral duty but the special interest of society to reform the offender wherever possible. The most hopeful offenders would be brought to the farm, where, while under restraint, they would be taught to be industrious. The main root of so much crime could be traced to industrial inefficiency,"lwhich was often clue to lack of training or intemperance. Most criminals entered upon their career of criminality when youths, and by a series of offences gradually drifted into the criminal classes. In view of this the reformatory would for the greater part be for offenders under thirty years of age, although there would be no hard and fast rule regarding the age limit. There were those critics who considered that prison lite was being made too easy, but there was the love of freedom in every man's character, and the confinement itself tended tawards reform. The system would be based on the indeterminate sentence, thus placing in the hands of the prisoner himself the means of working out by industry, training and good behaviour his earlier release. The methods adopted would mean a submission to discipline, but would encourage self-industry and selfcontrol. Habit is the basis of character, and the system would tend to build up the character of the young offender. The process was hard, exacting, severe and in some cases slightly oppressive, but the disease demanded that remedy. So little did the ordinary criminal like this reformatory treatment, requiring as it did effort, attention, and all his intelligence, that even the fear of it had proved a powerful deterrent. The objects of the scheme were to teach scientific farming as far as possible and at the same time give an elementary knowledge of those trades which assist the farmer. They would, as far as possible, co-operate with the experimental farms, and adopt the methods which have proved successful there and the men, after, passing through the institution,

would have a more scientific knowledge of farming than 99 per cent, of the average farmers who had not had the opportunity of acquiring up-to-date methods. It was therefore hoped that the farmers with whom homes were found for the men who passed through the reformatory would be induced to adopt the 'methods taught there. The building that they were inaugurating that day, and which was designed upon the most improved methods, was designed to accommodate 200 men, but it could be added to from.time to time, and the maximum number might reach 300 or 350. The building would not have the appearance of a grim city prison. The methods that had been found so useful at the tree-planting stations would be adopted, and every reasonable freedom within the limitations of the farm would be allowed to the prisoners. Those trained in this institution would, in most cases, be released on probation and private employment found for them, preferably on a farm. These men would have a certificate of the training they had been through, and he hoped that that certificate would be a guarantee to any farmer who employed them that they were competent and trustworthy. These men will be on probation, conditional on their remaining" for the time arranged in the employment found for them. It was hoped that the institution would be the medium, not only of restoring thousands of fallen men to an honest and industrious life, but that it would also contribute to the supply of well-equipped reliable farm workers. He need not contrast this scheme with that old method which kept young men and old, first and hardened offenders, all pent up within prison walls, for the most part engaged upon work either useless in itself or deadly monotonous,, and which, while costing the State many thousands of pounds in dead loss, left New Zealand with a recidivism almost as great as that of England. In concluding his remarks he hoped that many an erring young man might find in that institution a new foundation upon, which to build up a character of industry, self control, and self respect, and " may the good work to be done here realise in full measure the high hopes with which we to-day join in this ceremony." (Applause.)

The stone was then declared well and truly laid, after which Sir John thanked Mr Waldegrave and the officers of the Department for the trowel, which would be cherished by him in memory t of one of the proudest moments of his life.

Mr J. B. Teasdale asked that cheers be given for both Sir John and Lady Findlay. The speech of Sir John had been a most interesting one, and the scheme as outlined promised to reform the fallen, and so be of great benefit to the whole Dominion. *

Sir John suitably replied, thanking all for their appreciation of the efforts of the Department.

LUNCHEON AT TE AWAMUTU. After the ceremony the party returned to Te Awamutu, where a luncheon was given at Mr Jackson's hotel by the Justice Department, at which the Hon. Minister presided. In proposing the Health of His Excellency the Governor, Sir John spoke feelingly upon the great interest His Excellency had always taken in reformatory matters. Mr J. B. Teasdale, in proposing the health of Sir John and Lady Findlay, stated that in Sir John , Te Awamutu had a good friend. His interest in Te Awamutu had always been evident. Speaking of the grea t progress of Te Awamutu Mr Teasdale referred to the acquiring and cutting up of the mission property, now known as the Teasdale Estate. The action of the Government in this direction could not be too highly commended, as it had been a great factor in bringing about the progress of the township. It was also to be hoped that the time was not far distant when other adjacent lands would be more closely settled, as the future of Te Awamutu was dependent upon the reasonable close settlement of all her lands. Sir John, on rising, met with considerable applause. He was proud of that day because the first definite step in connection with the reformatory farm had been taken, and he appreciated the good feeling expressed by all present. He could not help but comment upon the rapid growth of the town and district which was so very evident. Te Awamutu was certainly the outlet of a very richly endowed-district, and he impressed upon all to further every movement towards closer settlement, which was the best security for the advancement of the district and the whole Dominion. The settling of the land is above any political party —it is greater than any social effort. New Zealand is naturally an agricultural and pastoralcountry, and the first aim of either the Government or the Opposition is to legislate for the promotion of the farming industry, and the most necessary ' step in that direction is to see ; that all lands are available for close settlement. The lands he • had seen during the day were easily capable of maintaining ten times the present population Speaking of the prospects of Te Awamutu it was pointed out that local trade will benefit from the institutions to no small extent.

When the scheme is complete there will be a population of at least 2000 people on the farm. It is true that a large proportion will be composed of the mentally deficient and fallen, humanity, but while reformation would be the main object of the two institutions there would be no small gain to the trade of Te Awamutu. It would probably, he added, be necessary to erect, a goods shed at Kawa, the railway station nearestto the two institutions.

In concluding, he said that this neighbourhood was to witness one of the most interesting experiments yet tried. He had very pleasant recollections of any former visit to Te Awamutu, and that clay—a red letter day in his life —would always be remembered. At some future date he hoped to return to the district and from present 1 prospects he felt sure he would be able to again congratulate Te Awamutu on further progress. (Applause.) A violin solo by Mr E. Moeller was much appreciated, Sir John remarking that he remembered hearing Mr Moeller on a former occasion, and had hoped for an opportunity of again hearing him play; The health of Mr Waldegrave and Mr Kayll was proposed by Sir John. Both these officials had proved how much good could be done by whole-hearted interest in the work of reform, and as political head of the Department he (Sir John) could not fail to ac- x knowledge and appreciate the efforts of his departmental advisers. Both officials suitably responded, thanking all for their kindly support and appreciation. AT THE BOWLING GREEN. On the invitation of the local club the party spent a couple of hours pleasantly at "ye ancient game," Sir John skipping a team with Mr W. N. von Sturmer. After a most exciting game during which, the score was equal at seven different stages, the last head was started with the score 14 all. The result was in doubt till the last bowl wa,s delivered, which left Sir John the winner of a most hotly contested game by two points.