1891 — Page 247

Questions.

(X3)

VI. Is ponal labour-that is labour by tread-mill, omuk, or shot-drill—in force?

VIL. If so, during what periods of imprisoumont, 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, otc.; secondly, the length of spolls and iutorval 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. How many escapes of prisoners, while being employed beyond the Gaol, bave taken place during each of the last three years?

2. How are the profits, of their labour accounted

for?

X. What was the total annual cost of the Prison during the 1991?

year

Answers.

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

There is no tread-inill labour, but shot-drill, emank- labour, stone-carrying and oakum-picking aro in forco,

(See question IX).

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

Tailoring, shoe making, carpentering, grass, and coir mat making, cane-chair making, ship'swab and feuder making, printing, not making, white washing, cleaning, and incidental repairs to the Gaol buildings.

Prisoners were not in 1891 employed beyond the walls of the Gaol.

Nil.

All cash carnings are paid into the Treasury hendod as Prison labour. Amount during the year 24,051.51 of which $1,073.18 was for 1890, and $2,978.33 for 1891,

The total expenditure of the Gnol in 1891 was $50,223.02, of which the sum of $1,391.29 was re- funded for the subsistence of Naval, Military Court Martial and Consulate prisoners, Debtors, &c., as fol- lows:-

Military, Naval,

.$276.82

198.00

Consulates,

135.75

Debtors,..

547.57

Incidental articles sold,

9.00

Personal Emoluments refunded

und forfeited,

77.93

Miscellaneous Receipts, &c.,.......... 143.82

Other Charges refunded,

2,40

$1,391.29

XI. What was the annual amount of the prisoners earnings during 1891?

XII. What are the number of the hours allotted for leop? And, if sloop is in association, are the dormi- lories lighted; and how often are they patrolled during

the night?

It has been customary in past years to show under this head the total cash earnings for Prison industrial labour during the year. This in 1891 amounted to $4,284.55 being the proceels of onkum-picking, coir mat making, fender and swab making, uet making and a small account for carpentering, tailoring, and shoe- making. The cost of material purchased has not been deducted from this amount. This does not include the value of labour for clothing and matting madu in Gaol for Prison use, nor the value of Printing done for Public Offices.

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

The dormitories are not lighted; but Gas is kept burning in all passages and corridors, and tho Turukeys on duty are provided with bulls-eyes lauterne, to throw light into the dormitories when required.

Turnkeys aro on duty in the Guol throughout the night, and patrol the corridors and passages constantly.