38
District of St. George's; Mayaro, Nariva, and Manzanilla; and St. David's-the
convictions exceed the dismissals :-
Eastern District of St. George's.
Total Dismissed.
Convicted.
Dismissed for want of prosecution Dismissed at the hearing
586
311
897
1,309
Or, approximately :-Convictions to dismissals, as 6 to 4.
Port of Spain and Western District of St. George's.
Total Dismissed.
Convicted.
Dismissed for want of prosecution Dismissed at hearing
1,060 683
1,743
2.175
Or, approximately :-Convictions to dismissals, as 5 to 4.
Mayaro, Nariva, and Manzanilla.
Total Dismissed.
Convicted.
Dismissed for want of prosecution Dismissed at hearing
24 16
40
57
Or, approximately :-Convictions to dismissals, as 6 to 4.
St. David's.
Total Dismissed.
Convicted.
'Dismissed for want of prosecution Dismissed at hearing
8
Dismissed for want of prosecution Dismissed at herring
39
Caroni.
Total Dismissed.
Convicted.
652
363
915
679
Or, approximately :-Dismissals to convictions, as 40 to 30.
Western District of St. Patrick's.
Dismissed for want of prosecution Dismissed at hearing
Total Dismissed.
287
Convicted.
208
h
495
414
Or, approximately :-Dismissals to convictions, as 36 to 30.
There can, I think, be little doubt that many, especially amongst the coolies, use the Districts Court as instruments of extortion; and they effect this object by means of trumped-up charges, supported by perjured witnesses.
Such cases may result in a dismissal for want of prosecution if either the pro- secutor succeeds in frightening the defendant into compliance with his demand, or finds the attempt wholly useless.
I would venture to suggest, that where coolies are parties much caution should be used as to granting adjournments, and the useful power given by Section 69 of Ordinance No. 5 of 1868, of awarding compensation to a defendant against whom a frivolous or vexatious charge is brought, should, in all proper cases, be exercised.
(Signed) HENRY LUDLOW, Attorney-General.
July 12, 1875.
17
Or, approximately, the convictions and dismissals are equal.
18
But in Victoria, San Fernando, Caroni and the Western District of St. Patrick's, the dismissals exceed, and in the first two districts are more than double, the con- victions :-
Victoria.
Total Dismissed.
Convicted.
Dismissed for want of prosecution Dismissed at hearing
589
278
867
359
Or, approximately :-Dismissals to convictions, as 75 to 30.
San Fernando.
Total Dismissted.
1,225 730
1,955
Convicted.
Dismissed for want of prosecution Dismissed at hearing
Or, approximately :-Dismissals to convictions, as 70 to 30.
859
Inclosure 2 in No. 3.
Report on Royal Gaol, as required by Clause 100 of Gaol Regulations. -
Discipline Officers.
During the year ending 31st December, 1874, (2) two turnkeys were dismissed for misconduct, and (5) five resigned.
In (79) seventy-nine cases in which reports were made against turnkeys for neglect
of duty or misconduct, fines were inflicted.
One matron resigned during the year and four were fined.
The conduct of the discipline officers has been generally good, and I have noticed
a decided improvement in their general tone, and a stricter discipline amongst them since the date of my last report.
By a different arrangement of the duties, the presence at the Royal Gaol during the night of (3) three additional turnkeys has been secured without any increase of the staff; the spell of night duty has also been reduced from 12 hours to 6.
A more efficient supervision is thus ensured, and at the same time the severe nature of the night duty is somewhat relaxed.
State of the Buildings.
The buildings, as heretofore, are kept in repair by prison labour,
The flooring of the cells on the ground floor is rotten but steps have been taken for its renewal.
At the Convict Depôt, Chaguanas, two new wards have been added, which has in- creascil the number of separate cells there from 26 to 86.
These wards, which are of wood, should be painted exteriorly to preserve them from the weather.
The superintendent has greatly improved the female labour yard at the Royal Gaol,
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 885
4
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-