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STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.

No. 19.

The Earl of Carnarvon to Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, R.E., K.C.M.G,, C.B.

(Telegraphic.)

Downing Street, August 10, 1875.

EXPEDITE Report of Committee on Prison Discipline, and transmit with least possible delay. When may I expect it?

Suspend removal of prisoners.

No. 20.

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PUBLIC RECORD

OFFICE

Reference -

44 J. J CO. 885

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT

Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, R.E., K.C.M.G., C.B., to the Earl of Carnarvon.--- (Received August 12.)

(Telegraphic.)

Singapore, August 12, 1875.

WILL send Report of Committee on Prison Discipline by next mail; prisoners will

not be removed.

No. 21.

Governor Sir H. F. D. Jervois, R.E., K.C.M.G., C.B., to the Earl of Carnarvon.- (Received September 27.)

(No. 243. Straits Settlements.) My Lord,

Government House, Singapore, August 21, 1875. WITH reference to my predecessor's despatch, No. 62, of 9th March last,* I have the honour to transmit herewith a copy of the Report of a Committee, appointed by him, to inquire into the causes of the outbreak in the Criminal Gaol here, which occurred in February last.

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2. The Committee consisted of the gentlemen named in margin.t One of the members, Dr. Robertson, having gone to England during the inquiry, has taken no part in drawing up the Report.

3. The Committee state as the result of their investigation :-

(a) That there was a preconcerted arrangement, on the part of certain Chinese prisoners of the middle grade, to effect their escape on the 13th February last, when a

parade had been ordered to witness the flogging of a prisoner.

(b) That owing to the postponement of the parade, this design was frustrated.

(c) That the prisoners, having, however, armed themselves in various ways, took an

early opportunity of forcing on a mutiny.

(d) That the prisoners had no just cause for complaint, either in regard to quantity and quality of diet, or treatment received from the prison officials.

(e) That while the majority of the officials did their duty, the principal credit of putting down the outbreak is due to Warder Lamb and the European prisoners.

(f) That the conduct of Gaoler McDonald should be made the subject of a special inquiry.

(g) That the outbreak was facilitated from the want of a system of separation, especially at night time, and that steps should be taken to remedy this want as soon as possible.

(4) That the supervision must have been very defective, when the prisoners were enabled to procure in the work-yard the weapons used on the occasion, and convey them into the precincts of the prison.

• Chairman: the Ilon. T. Scott. Merabers: the Hon. Major McNair, John Cameron, Esq., F. C. Bishop, Esq., Dr. J. 11. Robertson.

No. 58 of Miscellaneous No. 23.

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