The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-09 00:00:00

VISITING MAGISTRATE.

53. The probationary establishment will be visited by
;his magistrate at least twice in each week.

54. He will investigate all charges brought against
the women, and award punishment, as sanctioned by
law. In the discharge of this duty care will be taken to
regulate the description and amount of punishment by
the temper, disposition, and understanding of the
offender. The description of punishment which to one
would be trifling, to another would be severe. \\rant of
attention in inflicting of punishment, on this principle,
frequently renders it unequal and unjust.
55. A distinction is also to be drawn between of-
fences ; some in their nature are criminal, whilst others
are mere breaches of discipline or of regulation ; and it
is not too much to expect that, under a strict system of
personal superintendence on the part of the officers, of-
fences will not be frequent, and severe punishment sel-
dom required.
56. Advice, admonition, and kindness will in most
cases be found effectual ; but if these fail, and it should
be found necessary to resort to punishment, extension
of the allotted period of probation—or separate or soli-
tary Confinement—will, it is hoped, in most cases be
found' sufficien t.

57. It will, however, at all times be the magistrate's
duty to explain the grounds of sentence patiently and
calmly, and with clearness, and to point out the folly of
persevering in a course of conduct, the inevitable conse-
quence of which must be to delay the period of the of-
fender's emergence from probation, even—if rendered
necosiary by her own misconduct—to the termination of
her sentence of transportation.
58. The magistrate, accompanied by the superinten-
dent or matron, will occasionally inspect the various
wards, hospital, separate apartments, solitary cells, the
school, the messes, and the rations He will likewise
examine into the general management, and take care to
ascertain that no illegal punishments occur. A correct
record of his trials of offenders will be kept, and a proper
return of all the proceedings in each case, authenticated
by himself, will be made to the comptroller-general
weekly.

59. He will record his visits in the magistrate's visit-
ing book. with his remarks upon any irregularities
which may come under his notice or within his know-
ledge.' He will also record and report all deficiencies,
and every circumstance necessary to be brought under
the Lieutenant-Governor's notice.

60. The visiting magistrate is authorised to require
the perusal of all communications addressed by the
comptroller-general to the superintendant.
61. ;He will, accompanied by the medical officer, once
a month at least, inspect every branch of the establish-
ment ; he will see that cleanliness, due ventilation and
order are attended to, and that all the arrangements are
complete.
62. He will also, with that officer, muster the women
on these occasions, and record in the visiting book his
opinion of their general appearance and health.
6?.. With the interior and moral discipline and ar-
rangement of the establishment the visiting magistrate
will not interfere; but he will do everything in his power
to uphold the authority of the superintendent and ma-
tron. His duties generally will be to see that all orders
are fully carried into effect, especially as regards proper
classification; that the women are properly worked awl
not employed except in accordance with regulation, and
for the public benefit alone; that moral' and religious
instruction is duly and regularly imparted; that the
schools are regularly attended; and that the women are
advised and admonished by those under whose immediate
charge they are. Information on each of these points
will be included in his monthly report to the comptroller-
general._

64. The visiting magistrate will at all times suggest
to the comptroller-general any alterations or improve-
ments considered desirable in the establishment.

FOOD, CLOTHING., BEDDING, WARDS, &O.

65. The charge of issuing the rations will rest with an
officer spesially appointed by the superintendent for that
purpose. No more than one day's supply of flour and
meat Will be issued on any one day. The officer to whom
the duty of issuing rations is entrusted will see that the
various articles of provisions are fairly and justly dis-