CO129-092 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [4-6] — Page 353

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

Int

M1

Brilliant 22 Augt

This heavy bill involves the following justification:

Measures must be taken to address the expense of prisoners.

The number of prisoners in fact has risen considerably - in 1858 there were only 250 in confinement. However, in 1863 the number was 550.

The Gaol on Stonecutter's Island, 3 miles from Hong Kong, is capable of unlimited extension.

To bail out 347 and make the Victoria Gaol a central Police Station, a Bridewell for debtors was proposed.

These works were estimated to cost more than £20,000 by the Engineer. But Victoria Gaol was short of accommodation and cost $100,000. The Treasury approved the new Gaol.

As it was found that the new Gaol could not be completed within 4 years under ordinary circumstances, it was determined to buy and station a hulk off Stonecutters Island for the reception of 250 long-sentenced men.

The New Prison at Stonecutters Island and the Police Station at Victoria are being built at the same time, and the latter will be finished in perhaps 2½ years.

The Governor reports that 280 men have been put onboard the hulk and moored off the Island, but the expense of fitting out the Hulk has been very heavy, much more so than was contemplated.

The total cost has been significant.

The existing situation is most inconvenient and crowded.

It was decided to erect a new...

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2026-05-18 23:42:51 · NVIDIA / meta/llama-4-maverick-17b-128e-instruct
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Int M1 Brilliant 22 Augt This heavy bill involves the following justification: Measures must be taken to address the expense of prisoners. The number of prisoners in fact has risen considerably - in 1858 there were only 250 in confinement. However, in 1863 the number was 550. The Gaol on Stonecutter's Island, 3 miles from Hong Kong, is capable of unlimited extension. To bail out 347 and make the Victoria Gaol a central Police Station, a Bridewell for debtors was proposed. These works were estimated to cost more than £20,000 by the Engineer. But Victoria Gaol was short of accommodation and cost $100,000. The Treasury approved the new Gaol. As it was found that the new Gaol could not be completed within 4 years under ordinary circumstances, it was determined to buy and station a hulk off Stonecutters Island for the reception of 250 long-sentenced men. The New Prison at Stonecutters Island and the Police Station at Victoria are being built at the same time, and the latter will be finished in perhaps years. The Governor reports that 280 men have been put onboard the hulk and moored off the Island, but the expense of fitting out the Hulk has been very heavy, much more so than was contemplated. The total cost has been significant. The existing situation is most inconvenient and crowded. It was decided to erect a new...
Baseline (Original)
Int M1 Brillist 22 Augt This heavy bill the following Justification of forts must be taken The expense Prisoners the The Number of Victorin fact has ine nound resority- in 1858 there wen onf 250 are rise In An in confinement - Whener in 1863 the number was 550 The Gaol 1 > Gool capable of unlimited extension on Stonecutter 35 - 3 mile from #kong - to bail 347 to make the a central Police Station in Vectoria Bridewell for Debbous Victoris fast into a Stulence me n These works were ratten more than £20.000 W the Edemale. But- Veloria Saol was the as & Short & cost $100.000 & the Truaxung approved the accommodation in Srowing less Every bak x as it was found that new Gaol could not be c not be completed th Fender ordinary Cerconstances within 4 Zears, it was determined to buy & station a butte off Stonecullers Is for the reception of 250 long sentinel men 2 Employed who would be, The New Prison Means the Police Station at Victoria at Stonecutters Io are being By this The Sarl built at the same time- & the latter will be finished Sin perhaps 2 ztr1⁄2 time The Governor sports that 280 men have heen put onboard the bulk & moored off the Island, but the expense of filling up the Hulk has keen very heavy, much more so Ibelieve than was contemplated The total cost has been as Wow, most inconvenit Crowded - So it Irus diceded h Erect a Niu over
2026-05-18 23:42:51 · Baseline
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Int

M1

Brillist 22 Augt

This

heavy bill

the

following

Justification of

forts

must be taken

The expense

Prisoners

the

The Number of

Victorin fact has

ine nound resority-

in 1858 there wen onf 250

are rise

In An

in confinement - Whener

in 1863 the number was

550

The Gaol

1

>

Gool capable of unlimited extension on Stonecutter 35 - 3 mile from #kong -

to bail 347 to make the

a central Police Station in Vectoria

Bridewell for Debbous

Victoris fast into a

Stulence me n

These works were ratten more than £20.000

W the Edemale. But- Veloria Saol was

the

as

& Short

& cost $100.000 & the Truaxung approved

the accommodation in

Srowing less Every

bak

x as it was found that new Gaol could not be c

not be completed

th

Fender ordinary Cerconstances within 4 Zears, it was determined to buy & station a butte off Stonecullers Is for the reception of

250 long sentinel men

2

Employed

who would be,

The New Prison

Means the Police Station at Victoria

at Stonecutters Io are

being

By this

The Sarl

built at the same

time- & the latter will be finished Sin perhaps 2 ztr1⁄2 time

The Governor sports that 280 men have heen put onboard the bulk & moored off the Island, but the expense of filling up the Hulk has keen very heavy, much more so Ibelieve than was contemplated

The total cost has been as

Wow, most inconvenit

Crowded - So it

Irus diceded

h Erect

a Niu

over

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