1887 — Page 223

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Questions.

VI. Is penal labour-that is labour by tread-mill, crank, or shot-trill—in force?

VII. If so, during what periods of imprisonment, in respect of what classes of prisoners, and during how many hours is such penal labour enforced? In stating hours of tread-wheel labour, give first, the total time on and off the wheel, etc.; secondly, the length of spells and interval of rest.

VIII. What kind of labour, other than penal labour, is in use ?

IX. If the prisoners are employed beyond the walls of the Gaol, state:—

1. On what kind of work they are so employed?

2. How are they supervised?

3. How many escapes of prisoners, while being employed beyond the Guol, have taken place during each of the last three yours? 4. Ilow are the profits, of their labour accounted

for?

Answers.

All the prisoners of the above classes are separated at night, and in the yards, as much as possible.

There is no tread-mill labour, but slot-drill, erank- labour, stone-carrying and oakum-picking are in force.

(See question IX).

The hours of labour for all prisoners in this Colony throughout the year are from 7 A.M. to 4 г.M., one hour being allowed for dinner. When penal labour is resorted to, men on the crank have to complete revo- lutions not exceeding 12,500 per day; European pri- soners at shot-drill do 3 hours, and Chinese prisoners 4 hours per day, in spells of half and hour at a time, with stone-carrying or oakum-picking during the intervals.

Tailoring, shoc making, carpentering, grass, and coir mat making, cane-chair making, ship swab and fender making, printing, net making, white washing, cleaning, and incidental repairs to tho Gaol buildings.

On public works under the orders of the Surveyor General.

By 1 Head Turnkey, 1 European Turnkey, 7 As- sistant Turnkeys, and 4 Guards.

Six.

All cash carnings are paid into the Treasury headed as Prison Inbour. Amount during the year $2,709.28 of which $201.43 was for 1886, and 2,507.85 for 1887. Extra food to chain-gang was discontinued from 26th June, 1886, under Government order. (Vide Notifica- tion No. 235 Government Gazette for 1886.)

X. What was the total annual cost of the Prison during the year 1887 ?

The total expenditure of the Gaol in 1887 was $46,056.97, of which the sum of $1,386.48 was re- funded for the subsistenco of Naval, Military Court Martial and Consulato prisoners, Debtors, &c., as fol- lowa:-

Military, Naval, Consulates,

325.50

93.00

Deltors.......

297,01

Incidental articles sold,

55.63

$1,396.48

XI. What was the annual amount of the prisoners' earnings during 1897.

XII. What are the number of the hours allotted for skep? Aml, if sleep is in association, aro the dormi- terion Vigliteal z nol how often are they paimiled during

the night ?

It has been customary in past years to show under this henil the total cash earnings for Prison industrial Jabour during the year. This in 1887 amounted to $2,780.19 being the proceeds of onkum-picking, coir mint making, fender and swab making, unt making and a small recount for carpentering, tailoring, nul shoo- minking. The cost of material purchased has not been deducted from this amount. This does not incluulo the value of labour on Public works or for clothing and matting inado in Gnol for Prison use, nor the valno of Printing done for Publie OMees.

The average time during which the prisoners sleep is about 11 hours in 24.

The dormitories are not lighted; but Gan is kept larning in all passogos and corridors, and the Turnkeys on duty are provided with bullseye fauterus, to throw light into the dormitories when required.

Turnkeys are on duty in the Gaol throughout the night, and patrol the corridors and passages constantly.