transacted by the Supreme Court _ The prisons filled with malefactors - The gaols were constructed to hold One Hundred Prisoners were made to contain 230 and upwards. The crowded state of the prisons led Doctor Young, Acting Colonial Surgeon, to represent to Sir John Davis that he was apprehensive that fevers and other dangerous diseases would break out among the prisoners - A Committee was appointed to report on the state of the Prisons - Their report is with the Colonial Secretary- I believe it was made before the last hot season.
It confirmed the necessity of holding Criminal Sessions frequently in order to get rid of the prisoners. The extra Criminal Sessions together with frequent Sessions of Admiralty, the first of which was held after my arrival in the Colony, have been the means of clearing the Prisons.
Under the New Rules 5 Sessions are now held annually- In addition to these, Sessions of Admiralty are held when necessary.
From the 15th of July to the 15th October, a period of three months during the hottest season of the year, there are no Criminal Sessions.
5th Clause. This Clause relates to Civil business chiefly.- Under the old Rules the court was closed against Civil actions and suits from the 14th of June to the 14th of November - 4 months and a half- no writs could be issued, no pleadings filed.
From the 15th of June to the 12th of October, a period of 5 months, there were no Nisi Prius Sittings - Consequently no action could be tried during that interval. The Attorneys of the Court and some of the inhabitants represented to me that fraudulent debtors availed themselves of this