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Q-Did he do any work after the second flogging ?
A-No.
Q-Was he sent to the hospital after the second flogging?
A-He was.
Hon. Commander HASTINGS-In examining prisoners do the accuser and accused stand face to face ? Are they in the presence of each other?
WITNESS-They are in the presence of one another.
Q-And the accused has the opportunity of cross-examining?
A-Yes.
Q-You say that in all cases a European officer makes the report—the warder in charge of the party?
A-Yes.
Q-Does he merely corroborate the evidence of refusal or is he able to speak absolutely to the charge?
A-He is able to prove the charge.
Dr. ATKINSON-Have you had any experience of Gaol administration except in this Colony ?
WITNESS-No, except for a short time in Cyprus,
Q-Has it ever occurred to you that prisoners would rather submit to a flogging and subsequent rest in hospital than perform hard labour?
A-It has lately been brought to my notice that such is the case, but I could hardly credit it.
THE CHAIRMAN—When did you begin your duties here?
WITNESS--In November, 1892.
Q-And with the exception of a run home for a year yon have been in charge ever
since?
A-Yes.
Q-Have the floggings increased or decreased in numbers during your superintend- ency in proportion to the prisoners in the Gaol?
A-There is no decrease except in 1893, when there was a very considerable
decrease.
Q-There was a drop of 25 per cent?
A-I have not worked it out.
Q-In the table I have asked you to give me that will be included?
A-Yes, that will be included.
Q-I will not trouble you about that now. Has there been any marked increase or decrease in any class of offence? `
A-There has been a very marked increase in the number of refusals to labour.
Q-Can you account for it?
A-I think the physique of the prisoners is getting worse and worse. ers, of course, are passed fit for the labour to which they are put.
The prison-