Visiting Justice. Thus it might happen that he might be whipped twice when once would have sufficed if the instrument used in the first instance had been the rattan. In July last my letter H.340 of the 25th containing my observations on the Report of the Committee appointed to enquire into the question of flogging in the Gaol I have made suggestions as to the use of the rattan and birch.
As to the second instance I am of opinion that it should rest entirely with the Medical Officer of the Gaol to decide when a prisoner is in a fit state to be whipped a second time. Some prisoners are perfectly well after 3 days after receiving 6 strokes and are so indifferent as to punishment that they will commit themselves again almost directly, I think a prisoner should be whipped when he is in a fit state to receive the punishment otherwise he would imagine that he was to escape punishment and would become insubordinate.
As to the third instance mentioned by the Acting Attorney General I have reported fully on paragraph 23 of the Committee's recommendations in my letter No.340 already referred to.
My objection to the use of a fresh rattan for each whipping is the difficulty experienced in obtaining suitable rattans similar in size and weight exactly to the sealed pattern. The cost of each rattan is infinitesimal being about 2 cents. I have already reported as to what I propose should be done in my previously referred to letter.
24th September, 1896.
My letter H.340
Sr. H.B. Lethbridge, Supt. of Victoria Gaol.