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tion to felon prisoners in reading, writing md arithmetic. At Chaguanas and Carera's Island, the same duty is performed by one of the Turnkeys.

Q. 18. On what conditions are remissions of imprisonment granted?—4. Remis- sions of sentence may be earned by prisoners sentenced to more than twelve months" imprisonment with hard labour, to the extent of one-fourth part of their sontence by industry and good conduct, which are recorded daily by marks.

Q. 19.-Have Coroners' inquests been held on every occasion of a death in prison during the past year? and what were the verdicts PA. Yes-7 Judicial Executions'; 1 Suicide while of unsound mind; 19 Death from natural causes.

Q. 20.-(1). What was the sanitary state of the prison during the year 1874 ?—— A. The general sanitary condition of the gaol was satisfactory. Considerable alterations have recently been made in the females' quarters, tending to improve discipline and sanitary conditions. The changed position of the forge in the labour yard, promises also, when completed, to be a marked improvement, and attended with less risk of accidents from fire, owing to its isolation.

The ventilation of the main building has been considerably augmented by the removal of the inner wooden doors from the large eastern open iron-work door upstairs, which leads directly into the long passage on which the cells abut.

It seemed desirable to increase the anti-scorbutic element of the dietary, from the occasional occurrence of spongy gums amongst a few of the prisoners, so that fresh vegetables were introduced in a larger proportion than before, in lieu of corn meal. This was indeed already provided for in the dietary scale.

(2). What were the prevailing diseases ?-4. Diarrhea and dysentery have been the most urgent, next inflammatory diseases of the chest, often with heart complications and asthma; rheumatism chiefly articular; several cases of prostration from the abuse of opium; syphilis in all its aggravated forms and constitutional ulcers, often gangrenous (these three last on incoming prisoners); dropsies connected with organic disease of the liver, spleen, or kidneys, and a few cases of choleraic diarrhoea of extreme suddenness and severity, chiefly owing to the unseasonable weather, north winds and showers.

Q. 21. What are, shortly, the rules as to diet ?-A. 6 A.M., pint of ginger tea and 2 biscuits. 9 A.M., 10 ozs. bread, 2 ozs. fish and pint of ginger tea. 4.30 PM., 11 ozs. corn meal or an equivalent of fresh vegetables, 3 ozs. fish. Except on Sunday and Thursday, when 8 ozs. meat (with bone), I pint of soup are issued at the same hour in lieu of corn meal.

Females and juveniles of the 5th and 6th classes, for certain portions of the sen- tences, are allowed about two-thirds of the above dinner allowance and no meat or soup.

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9. The best method of dealing with the idleness and its attendant evils which Mr. Fraser describes as prevailing in the town, is by a judicious and vigorous enforce. ment of the Vagrancy-Law.

10. I observe that in the Royal Gaol there is no penal labour by tread-wheel, crank, or shot-drill. a note to the Returns for the preceding year (dated 18th March, 1871), it was stated that the treadwheel and shot-drill were to be shortly introduced. I trust that you will be in a position to inform me that by this time these two forms of penal labour are in use.

11. The roof of the hospital should clearly be raised, as suggested by Dr. Murray, in the concluding paragraph of his Report.

て

I have, &c.

(Signed)

CARNARVON.

k

(No. 79.) Sir,

No. 4.

The Earl of Carnarvon to Governor Irving, C.M.G.

Downing Street, September 4, 1875.

I HAVE received your despatch No. 85 of the 14th of July, on the subject of prison discipline in Trinidad.

2. I concur with you generally in your view as to the classification of criminals in the population; and your opinions as to the treatment of persons suffering imprison- ment for breaches of the Labour Laws, coincide with those expressed by my predeces- sor in his Circular despatch of the 17th January, 1872.

3. I approve generally of your proposals for the redistribution of prisoners.

4. The Industrial School should be in the neighbourhood of Port of Spain. The

work should be commenced without delay.

5. Having regard to the confined situation of the present Royal Gaol, the female

prisoners ought to be removed to a separate prison, on a new site.

6 The depot at Carrera's Island should, if it is to be permanently used as a place

of punishment, be reconstructed on the separate system. A cellular prison of light and cheap construction would answer all purposes.

7. With regard to the Inspector of Prisons' request, I have to observe, that clause 74 of the Gool Regulations should be amended, so as to admit of the imposition

of corporal punishments, for first or second assaults on warders.

8. The inorcase in the number of juvenile commitments noticed by Mr. Fraser, points to the urgent nood of a Reformatory.

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ETTICO 885

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