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appreciated however, as the Chinese prisoners endeavour, when possible, to close the outer openings, in hot weather.
The Committee, it will be seen, are of opinion that a new Gaol should not be constructed, until other measures have been first tried, and they base this opinion upon the financial state of the Colony.
The cost of a new Gaol, the plans of which were approved by Lord Kimberley in 1881, has been estimated at $400,000.
I certainly think that it would be prudent to complete some of the large and costly works on which the Colony is engaged, before embarking on a new one.
Sir G. Bowen thought that in face of the large contribution of this Colony towards defences, it might even become necessary to suspend some of the works already commenced.
The completion of the Tytam Water works is of far more vital importance to the Colony than the building of a new Gaol.
We had a severe water famine