1st February 1887.
Hodge, Sworn.
I am a Head Turnkey at Victoria Gaol.
Yesterday between 6 and 7 a.m., I was in the yard supervising. Superintending the prisoners in the yard saw 160 prisoners who were having breakfast. After they had finished breakfast, I gave the general order for the washermen to get up. They refused to go to work. Those who agreed to work were put on one side, and the numbers of the others who refused were taken. The Warden told me to have the Guards in readiness.
I brought a round of the latter. This was a check to the Chinese prisoners. No. 239 was ordered to go out "to see the Superintendent". I saw there was going to be trouble. I also ordered Turnkey Pereira to inform the Turnkeys to be in readiness.
Shortly after this, the Warden asked the prisoners individually through the Chinese Turnkey to go to his cell. He refused and resisted, saying "not go". I got hold of him and took him to the gate where he struggled with me. I heard several shouts of "strike" from four different parts of the yards.
In my opinion, there would have been a general meeting had it not been for the prompt steps taken, which seemed to check the prisoners.