I
*
428
I should mention that the Medical Officer has
recently recomiended a somewhat longer interval of rect
in the middle of the day in the hot season, and that this will be provided for by the Superintendent by an
alteration of the Bell Scale by which the hours of labour
and duty in the Prison are regulated.
7. With regard to the exemption of first offenders
from crank labour, I have to state that such has been
the practice in the Prison for a number of years,
the
object being apparently to make a distinction between
first and old offenders.
Such distinction is not without its usefulness, and as it is not desirable to alter the well established routine of a Prison without strong reason I am of opinion that the distinction should be preserved.
Lowson, w
who
8. I enclose copy of a report from Dr.
was Modical Officer of the Gaol at the time, on the
subject of the question referred to in paragraph 19 of
your despatch.
I em informed that the rule was made in order
to meet the case of prisoners tearing off external appli- casions in order to retard their recovery from ailments
and thus to escape labour.
The rule is in my opinion a necessary one.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient.
Humble Servant,
M.J. Gascoigne
Major-General
Administering the Government.
nol: 2. 9th March; 1900.