MINUTE BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR.
Is the dry earth system now in force in the whole of the Gaol?
(Signed)
J. POPE HENNESSY.
19th January, 1878.
REPLY OF ACTING SUPERINTENDENT.
The dry earth system is not carried out in the female ward and all the yards and Turnkeys' and guards' closets. It is in force in all the cells and body of the Gaol. Partly carried out in tubs by five coolies, and partly emptied down a drain. The Surveyor General has been communicated with on the subject, and this morning all the contents of the buckets were taken away by ten coolies. When the system is in force all through the Gaol, more coolies will be required.
(Signed) T. C. DEMPSTER, Captain,
Acting Superintendent.
21st January, 1878.
EXTRACT FROM AN ENTRY IN HONGKONG GAOL VISITING JUSTICES' BOOK BY DR. O'BRIEN AND MR. WODEHOUSE.
We think it right to state in connection with our report that, in describing the order which we found, we refer more particularly to the actual discipline of the prisoners, and there are one or two matters foreign to this to which we would take the opportunity to draw attention.
1. It appears that for a very long time past the night-soil contractor for the time being has been in the habit of supplying so few coolies for taking away the night-soil, that when the regulation time in which this work has to be completed is expired, much still remains to be taken away. This is disposed of by emptying it into the drain which connects with the drain in Old Bailey Street. At the present time as much as two-thirds of the Gaol night-soil is so disposed of, and moreover the dry earth is thrown into the drain with the excrement. There are now only five night-soil coolies for the whole of the Gaol, and this at a time when the introduction of the dry earth system renders necessary a larger number than formerly.
2. We observe that the dry earth system has not yet been introduced into the female prisoners' wards nor into any of the yards.
3. Having examined the blankets supplied to the Chinese prisoners, we beg to express our opinion that in weather such as that now prevailing one blanket is quite insufficient, and we would strongly recommend that, if only for the sake of putting a stop to the prisoners in each cell all huddling themselves up together in a heap as they do now, two blankets be allowed to each prisoner, and not to those only under sentence of solitary confinement by the Supreme Court.
4. It is perhaps so obvious as not to require special comment, that were it possible to detain debtors elsewhere than in the body of the Gaol, it would be very desirable that it should be done. There would no longer then be the anomaly of an entire ward being occupied sometimes not at all, and at no time by more than four or five, while the rest of the Gaol is inconveniently crowded. Nor does it appear to us ought there to be anybody confined in the body of the Gaol not wearing Gaol uniform.
(Signed)
R. A. O'BRIEN, J.P.
H. E. WODEHOUSE, J.P.
18th January, 1878.
MINUTE BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR.
In my Minute on the morning report of the 18th of January, I asked for information on these subjects, as I had heard from Captain DEMPSTER and Dr. O'BRIEN that the supply of blankets was insufficient and the dry earth system not properly carried out.
Let a proper supply of blankets be ordered; and a sufficient number of coolies be employed for the removal of the poudrettè.
How long has the system of emptying any of the night-soil into the drains been in existence?
(Signed)
J. POPE HENNESSY.
22nd January, 1878.