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members of the Committee appointed to inquire into the causes of the outbreak my appreciation of the labour and care which they have devoted to the investigation of the most lamentable event which has yet occurred in the history of prison administration in the British Colonies

No. 23.

I am, &c..

(Signed)

CARNARVON.

The Earl of Carnarvon to the Officer administering the Government of Ceylon.

(No. 258. Ceylon.) Sir,

་

Downing Street, November 5, 1875.

I HAVE had under my consideration, in relation to the outbreak of February last in the Singapore Gaol, the question of the propriety of subjecting prisoners to what is called " penal diet."

The conclusion at which I have arrived is, that prisoners at hard labour ought not for any period of their time to be confined to a diet of rice, salt and water, or bread, salt and water, as these articles do not, in my judgment, contain the elements of nutrition necessary for the sustenance of prisoners at hard labour; and I have to request that you will arrange for some addition to be made to the list of articles of diet supplied to prisoners during the period in respect of which they are now liable to be subjected to penal diet.

The addition need not be otherwise than distinctly moderate, and I have to request that you will report to me after consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of your Govern- ment, in what manner you propose to execute my instructions.

Note. A similar despatch was sent to Hong Kong,

I have, &c. (Signed) CARNARVON.

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during the outbreak in the Singapore Prison in February last, has been approved of by the Cominittee appointed to inquire into and to report on the matter.

I have, &c. (Signed)

No. 26.

CARNARVON.

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

(No. 221. Straits Settlements.)

Sir,

Downing Street, December 12, 1875.

WITH reference to your despatch No. 243 of the 21st of August, and my reply, No. 191 of the 5th November last, on the outbreak in Singapore Gaol, I have the honour to acquaint you that I have given careful consideration to the proposal made by the Government of the Straits Settlements to grant an annuity of 351. a year to Warder Lamb

for his conduct on that occasion.

While I fully recognize the value of the services rendered by him, I think it right to point out that it is contrary to the practice observed in the administration of convict prisons in this country, that a prison officer should receive any reward beyond that of promotion in the service for the discharge of his duty, however bravely he may have acted in sup- pressing an outbreak, or capturing escaped prisoners.

Nevertheless the catastrophe which occurred in the present case is probably without parallel, and I am desirous to give effect to the unanimous opinion of the Council, that the meritorious conduct of Warder Lamb should be rewarded by some substantial mark of appreciation; but plant I am of opinion that, instead of an annuity of 351. being granted to him, his salary should be increased by that amount, namely, that it should be raised from 1401 to 1751.

You have, therefore, my sanction for increasing his salary accordingly.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

CARNARVON,

No. 24.

'

Governor Sir W. F. D. Jervois, R.E., K.Ç.M.G., C.B., to the Earl of Carnarvon.— (Received November 8.) (No. 276. Straits Settlements.) My Lord.

Government House, Singapore, September 28, 1875. WITH reference to paragraph 7 of my despatch No. 243 of 21st August, I am happy to be able to inform your Lordship that the Committee which I appointed to inquire into the conduct of Gabler McDonald during the outbreak in the Singapore Prison in February last, consisting of the Honourable Thomas Shelford, Member of the Legislative Council, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Magistrate of Police, entirely acquit Mr. McDonald of the charge of having done anything less than his duty in leaving the gaol to arrest any convicts who had escaped from it, or prevent the escape of any who were attempting to get over the walls.

I should add, that Lieutenant Hodgson, the Acting Superintendent of Prisons, an officer who, since Mr. Dent's death, has conducted the prison business with great satis- taction to all concerned, reports in high terms of Mr. McDonald as a very efficient gaoler.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

WM. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS.

No. 25.

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

(No. 202. Straits Settlements.)

Sir,

Downing Street, November 24, 1875.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 276 of the 28th September.

I have learnt with satisfaction that the conduct of Gaoler McDonald,

• No. 21.

↑ No. 24.

• No. 21 and 22.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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Reference :-

C.O. 885

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