120
as an instalment of a complete new prison. The same course you will remember was followed in Mauritius, and a reference to my despatch No. 91 of the 9th of June, 1887, will show that three years ago I urged that "as soon as ever funds are available a wing of the new prison should be constructed." If the building is thus gradually completed there ought to be no necessity for having recourse to a loan.
5. The site of the present prison is, I understand, beyond question the proper position for the Police Station and the Magistrate's Courts; and in connexion with them it is necessary to have a certain amount of prison accommodation for prisoners under remand, awaiting trial, &c. Eventually permanent provision might also be made on this site for short sentenced prisoners and debtors, (if imprisonment for debt be continued), and except for the latter the separate systein should be adopted throughout, converting the present building into a house of detention, containing a certain number of wards for debtors and cells for 150 prisoners--say, accomino- dation for 250 in all. The radiating blocks in the rear and the out-buildings in the front might be cleared away, and, if funds are available, the Courts and Police Station might be improved.
6. The prison on the new site when complete might contain cells for from 400 to 450 prisoners, together with governor's quarters, offices, accommodation for the staff, &c.
The disadvantage of duplicating the staff seems not to be so serious as has been suggested. Wherever the extra accommodation is provided, additional warders must be employed, and the old prison, in its new application could well be placed in charge of an assistant superintendent or chief warder.
7. As regards the number of prisoners to be provided for I have already dealt with the subject of the mendicants in my despatch No. 253 of the 4th instant. The number of debtors sent to prison in 1889 was 81, and I would again suggest that imprisonment for debt should be abolished in Hongkong. No reason has been given why it should be retained in this Colony in particular, and I cannot but hope that on reconsideration your Council may agree in the advisability of its abolition. The introduction of the separate system may be expected as you have observed eventually to further diminish the number of prisoners, and I do not therefore contemplate the necessity of providing for more than 450 separate cells in the new gaol, of which not more than 250 would be built in the first instance.
8. In accordance with Mr. BROWN's request, a printed "Description of the Prison at Wormwood Scrubs" has been obtained from the Directors of Convict Prisons and is herewith enclosed; and I have asked the Governor of the Straits Settlements to have a copy of the plans of the Singapore criminal prison made and sent to Hongkong.
9. I will only add in conclusion that I rely on you to press this matter forward without further delay. I have sufficiently commented in former despatches on the manner in which it has been shelved from time to time, and I earnestly trust that the suggestions now made will be recognised as reasonable and will meet with no further opposition in the Colony.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient humble Servant,
KNUTSFORD.