Another obstacle to a formal delimitation was the increasing number of prisoners. Sir Hercules Robinson in his letter of 64 November 1862 states it from memory at over 500, the Surveyor General in Report and Estimate No 5 (dated 2nd June 1862) at nearly 600; the Reports of today show no less than 688, in Victoria Gaol 435, and in the Convict Hulk 253, and I may note that the accident of 23rd July.
12. With reference to the employment of Convict labor on the Gaol, I am certain from experience of the past six months that this will not effect much, because there is a total absence of skilled labor among Convicts.
13. The Gaol Report shews a decrease during the past week of 68, (chiefly Prisoners acquitted at the Criminal Sessions), the Hulk Report being unchanged - The number of women have been much larger but for the Sickness of the Summer and the melancholy accident. They have been Employed hitherto in levelling and preparing the ground, and in erecting mat sheds for working and other purposes, but this has been done so slowly that it is only now that I find myself able to direct contracts to be advertised for the commencement of the work contemplated by Report and Estimate No 5.