Recovery of Fees for Reformatory Inmates

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7025, 8 December 1932, Page 9

Recovery of Fees for Reformatory Inmates

ADDITIONAL POWERS CONFERRED BY BILL Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. 7. Additional powers for the recovery of fees for the maintenance of inmates in inebriates’ homes and reformatory institutions are conferred by tho Reformatory Institutions Amendment Bill, which was introduced in the Houso of Representatives this afternoon.

On a complaint being made that an inmate or his relatives have failed, or intend to fail, to mako adequate provision for the cost of maintenance, a justice of the peaco may issue a summons to an inmate or his relatives requiring cause to be shown why an order for the cost of maintenance should not bo made. Upon the complaint being heard before a magistrate, ho may uiukc an order against defendant requiring him to pay toward tho cost of future maintenance a reasonable sum not exceeding 22s fid a week. The magistrate may also order a sum not exceeding £SO to bo paid on account of past maintenance. Tho order may bo made whether the inmato or relative is resident in New Zealand or elsewhere.

Explaining tho Bill, Hon. J. G. Cobbe said it would enable the Justice Department to collect fees from such pcoplo at Roto Roa and Pakatoa as wero in a position to pay. He pointed out that the department had to pay the Salvation Army £1 a week for the upkeep of each inmato, and there was at present an annual loss of £I7OO on tho institutions.