PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
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Reference -
C.O.885
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
3 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE. LONDON
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entries in journals with regard to it. What I saw was very fair, and the men are now used to it.*
The new hospital diet has been found to answer, the doctor having it always in his power to order in addition whatever he thinks necessary.†
I could not The greatest complaints were with respect to the "reduced rations." ascertain what there was to guide the Superintendent as to placing men on reduced rations. Men who did not work sufficiently appeared to have been put on these reduced rations as a species of punishment; and the Superintendent stated it was a very useful means of keeping the convicts up to the mark. If, however, this is to be allowed, the power to place on reduced rations should be guarded, and a record kept of the occasions when it is exercised. The full scale is supposed to be only sufficient to keep a convict in good health when performing a proper day's work. To reduce this quantity of food for any length of time and yet require the convict to do the full amount of work would be unjust, and the longer (after a certain period) he was kept on the reduced scale, the less able he would be to do what was required of him. The doctor complained that when he ordered nien for medical reasons to be put to light labour they only received these reduced rations. This, I think, is wrong, and that in such cases the full diet ought to be given, unless the doctor otherwise expressly orders. In some instances it would appear the sick in cells had the same fare. The punishment rations are also, I think, too small where men (as is permitted by the rules) are kept on them for thirty days continuously. The men so kept got unduly reduced. This the doctor thought might be obviated by giving them a fair meal once a week. The supply of fresh meat either for Know Island or the Settlement is hardly suficient. The Superintendent suggested that each steamer should bring up from two to four oxen this plan should be tried.
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fit for slaughtering, and I would recommend that
The "farm has been improved and the cultivation extended, so that a more regular supply of ground provisions may be looked for.
Convicts. The convicts themselves seem in good health, and the Superintendent stated they were quite under control and working well. The discipline certainly has greatly improved since I was last there, and the amount of work obtained is largely in excess of what it used to be. The deliveries for the previous month from the quarries having been 1,174 tons of stone besides 2,175 faced hand dressed blocks. I had feared I should find a very bitter feeling on the part of the convicts against the Superintendent, but although I looked for it, I am glad to say I saw no evidence of its existence. On the contrary, so far as I could judge during the short time I was there, the men ap peared to work as cheerfully as one could expect. There was a regularity and order observable about the establishment which I think does great credit to the present Super- intendent. I was struck with the conduct of the prisoners in the morning chapel and at the numbers (some of each nationality) that took part in the service--a service which one felt could not but have a humanizing influence. The time for the school has been altered, and the chaplain rather regretted it was now limited to an hour once a week, on Saturdays. The conduct of the men in the workshops had improved in a very noticeable degree. I may bere mention a school has been started for the officers' children.||
Complaints-All the complaints had reference either to the quantity or quality of the food, and I need not say anything further on this point. I visited each man in the punishment cells twice--once with the Superintendent and once without him.
Applications.--Convict Dummet,¶ sentenced to fourteen years, of which he has now served more than eleven; and convict Jason** sentenced to sixteen years, who has served for fourteen years-both applied for tickets of leave. Both are recommended by the Superintendent for this indulgence, and I would respectfully suggest that it should be granted.
I had a very painful scene with convict King in the hospital. He was in the last
* See remarks in Government Secretary's Report. The mixing of corumes! with flour was suggested by Mr. Young, and if the quantity of cornmeal be not excessive it seems to auswer.-J. R. L.
This was an experimental diet, which is to be submitted to the Board of Prisons for confirmation. January 6, 1875.--J. R. L
The reduced rations are prescribed by the Rules in force, section ziv, § 1. On my recent visit I approved experimentally an improved diet suggested by Mr. Sealy, which, if found to answer, will be proposed to the Board of Prisons for adoption, in lieu of that now in force. The Superintendent and the Medical Officer both thinks the diet called “ reduced rations" too small.-J. R. L.
According to the rules in force. But the light labour convicts will now receive the improved rations. -J. R. L.
A1 Mr. Senly's suggestion.-J. R. L.
This man has been released on a ticket-of leave since the date of this Report.-J. R. L.
** This man is not named in the list of convicts recommended to me by Mr. Sealy on my visits to Massa- runi.-J. R. L..
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stage of consumption and he begged with the most piteous entreaties to be removed to the Georgetown Hospital, as the doctors there, he thought, might do him some good, seemingly unaware that in all probability he could not have lived through the journey.* This man has always been most violent, and in consequence has spent most of his time in the punishment cells. I think his case requires a careful investigation to ascertain what has been the effect of a long course of punishment rations. Convict Majouh, a Frenchman, again applied for an investigation into his case, he alleging he had been wrongly convicted. I believe the matter was thoroughly gone into by the Inspector- General of Police some time ago, but I do not know the result.
Officers. The subordinate officers are not what they should be, but there is hardly likely to be a radical change for the better until the contemplated prison staff is estab- lished. It would be a great assistance to these officers if some facilities were afforded them for obtaining goods, liquors, &c., either at the Settlement store or in the neigh- bourhood.+ I fancy the arrival of the steamer is now often the signal for a big drink. and it can hardly be wondered at if the opportunity only occurs once a month.
Any little want of cordiality between the principal officers was, I hope, entirely removed before I left.‡
The Superintendent has undoubtedly done much to improve the Settlement, and he has carried out his reforms in the face of some serious difficulties. He is anxious that the visits of the Commissioners should be more frequent; and I would strongly urge that a Commissioner should inspect the place as often as practicable. If it is not considered desirable to adopt the recommendation of the Committee of the Court of Policy for the appointment of an Inspector with an authority to punish for the more serious prison offences, perhaps it might be found advantageous for three or four of some of the prin- cipal officials to undertake amongst themselves to visit the Settlement as convenience allowed. For myself, whenever my other engagements permitted, I should be very happy to take my turn.
I would further respectfully urge on the Governor the desira- bility of purchasing a good steamer for the use of the Settlement, as suggested by the same Committee.§ One of some power would be requisite to stem the strong currents.] The contract boat on the day I went up could hardly make more than two knots an hour against the ebb spring tide,-certainly not three.
Kaow Island.—The lepers, with the exception of one man who was in a dying state, were, as the doctor stated, improving under the treatment which he was then trying of boracic acid, administered, as I understand, both internally and externally. The patients had numerous complaints, and one could not be surprised at their grumbling. It cer- tainly is a wretched place. The lepers might be made more comfortable if the houses were moved to the higher ground near the landing-place. The complaints had reference to a deficiency of fresh meat and to the grass on the paths being allowed to grow so high as to bruise their sores when they moved about; both these grievances are easily removed. The bont provided for the doctor to cross to Know Island is not a suitable one; and the only other boat at the Settlement is too large; a proper four-oared boat might be purchased for about 100 dollars,
Indians.-Formerly I believe the Catechists at the various Indian Missions near the Settlement were supplied with drugs, such as quinine, &c., from the Settlement, but this has been stopped. It is not fair of course that the establishment should be charged with the cost, but I think the Government might very properly give a supply of the more common medicines for the use of the Indians. I was credibly informed that a very large number of the aborigines were living within a moderate distance of the Settlement, and that unfortunately there had lately been great mortality amongst them-a mortality it was stated that might have been greatly reduced if ordinary medical attendance or comforts could have been supplied. Some provision has been made for treating sick males on the upper floor of the Settlement Hospital, but no female can be admitted there. I have already mentioned that this floor will be required when the new prison is occupied, and therefore some additional provision must then be made.
1 would suggest
*He died soon afterwards -J. R. L..
This is now authorized.-J. R. L.
1 Fide Government Secretary's Report.—J. R. L.
§ The steamer engaged for the Attorney-General's use on this occasion was one of the smaller class of steamers belonging to the contractor, and is not powerful enough to do the work satisfactorily. But the larger class of steamers belonging to the contractor are quite equal to the work. On my late visit to Massaruni I made
the voyage on the 21st December to Massaruni in 62 hours, and returned on the 22nd in 61 hours.-J. R. L..
The largest class of steamers should be engaged. The expense would be 80 dollars a day there.—
J. R. L.
It is proposed to remove the female patients from Mahaica Asylum, to a new Asylum to be built in another place, and the patients now at Kaow Island will then be removed to Mahaica.-J. R. L
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