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8. As the provision of adequate Gaol accommodation in this Colony hinges entirely on the system followed in the punishment of criminals, the Board have come to the conclusion that the two questions cannot be dealt with separately, and they find them- selves unable to submit any recommendations in respect of Gaol accommodation, provisional or permanent, without entering at considerable length into the larger ques- tion of the present treatment of the criminal classes. But this question is one of such grave importance to the community, that the Board take upon themselves to recommend that it should be referred for investigation and report to a much larger and more influential Commission than the Board as at present constituted.
9. In the belief that this would be the more adequate and satisfactory way of dealing with so important a subject, the Board now limit their observations to the few practical suggestions for immediate relief set forth in paragraphs 6 and 7.
J. M. PRICE. W. KESWICK.
A. GORDON.
(C. in Enclosure 2.)
Minute by the Clerk of Councils.
On the suggestion of the Honourable the Surveyor General (Mr. PRICE) these papers are considered in Executive Council this day.
The Council advise that the Board appointed to report on this question should consist of a larger number of persons, and advise therefore the appointment of the Committee mentioned in the annexed minute by His Excellency the Officer Adminis- tering the Government.
ARATHOON SETH, Clerk of Councils.
April 7th 1886.
(D. in Enclosure 2.)
Minute by His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government.
A Committee of the following gentlemen :-
1. The SURVEYOR GENERAL,
2. The ATTORNEY GENERAL,
3. The TREASURER,
4. The Hon. WILLIAM KESWICK, M.L.C.,
5. The SUPERINTENDENT OF GAOL,
6. ERNEST MACKEAN, Esquire, Acting POLICE MAGISTRATE,
7. CATCHICK PAUL CHATER, Esquire, J.P.,
8. ALEXANDER PALMER MACEWEN, Esquire, J.P.,
9. Dr. PATRICK MANSON, J.P.,
are to be requested to meet at an early date to consider a report of the Superintendent of the Gaol on the insufficient accommodation in that Establishment and what steps should be taken to remedy the present state of things.
(Enclosure 3.)
Mr. A. P. MacEwen to the Chairman.
W. H. MARSH.
HONGKONG, 28th May, 1886,
SIR,
I have to express my regret at being unable to attend the last few meetings of the Gaol Commission owing to absence from the Colony.
I have given careful attention to the Report which is to be sent to His Excellency the Administrator with the approval and signatures of the members of the Commission. I do not sign the Report as there are one or two points as regards the question of punishment with which I do not concur.