INSTRUCTIONS TO CHIEF PROTECTOR

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 23, 8 June 1905, Page 4

INSTRUCTIONS TO CHIEF PROTECTOR

In addition to the above regulations an instruction has also been issued to the chief protector of aborigines to ascertain whether natives are employed under a conr tract in writing duly witnessed by a justice of the peace, a protector of aborigines, or a person duly appointed to witness contracts unde>r the Act. If on demand production of the contract is refused, it shall 'be the duty of the protector to take proceedings. Whenever it shall come to the knowledge of any protector of aborigines that am aiboriginal is in any service or employment without a contract in writing, he shall report the matter forthwith, with all particulars, to the chief protector. The chief protector is also instructed to carry out the recommendations of Dr. Roth with regard to the distribution of rations, \i7., to natives collected on a reserve in the more settled parts of the State ; to indigent blacks on stations, the relief to be distributed by responsible persons. Use of Chains. The comptroller-general of prisons has been instructed to observe the following directions pending the issue of new regulations :—: — 1. The! use of chains within the precincts of prisons to be prohibited, except — (a) by way of punishment under the provisions of the Prisons Alt, 1902 ; (b) with the sanction of the Colonial Secretary in any prison where, having regard to the construction thereof, the use of chains is necessary Tor the safekeeping of prisoners. 2. Chains which may be lawfully used on prisoners when outside the precincts of a prison, or under the last preceding regulations, to be— (a) wristcuffs arid connecting chains ; or (b) waistibelts an 3 connecting chains ; or (c) ankles Joined by chain when the prisoners are required to work singly. 3. The use of neck-chains on aboriginal prisoners to be prohibited. 4. The hours of labor by prisoners in the open north of the . . parallel of south latitude shall be limited to six hours in any one day.