CO129-094 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1863 [11-10] — Page 92

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

Another obstacle to a formal delimitation was the increasing number of prisoners. Sir Hercules Robinson in his letter of 64 November 1862 states it from memory at over 500, the Surveyor General in Report and Estimate No 5 (dated 2nd June 1862) at nearly 600; the Reports of today show no less than 688, in Victoria Gaol 435, and in the Convict Hulk 253, and I may note that the accident of 23rd July.

12. With reference to the employment of Convict labor on the Gaol, I am certain from experience of the past six months that this will not effect much, because there is a total absence of skilled labor among Convicts.

13. The Gaol Report shews a decrease during the past week of 68, (chiefly Prisoners acquitted at the Criminal Sessions), the Hulk Report being unchanged - The number of women have been much larger but for the Sickness of the Summer and the melancholy accident. They have been Employed hitherto in levelling and preparing the ground, and in erecting mat sheds for working and other purposes, but this has been done so slowly that it is only now that I find myself able to direct contracts to be advertised for the commencement of the work contemplated by Report and Estimate No 5.

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Another obstacle to a formal delimitation was the increasing number of prisoners. Sir Hercules Robinson in his letter of 64 November 1862 states it from memory at over 500, the Surveyor General in Report and Estimate No 5 (dated 2nd June 1862) at nearly 600; the Reports of today show no less than 688, in Victoria Gaol 435, and in the Convict Hulk 253, and I may note that the accident of 23rd July. 12. With reference to the employment of Convict labor on the Gaol, I am certain from experience of the past six months that this will not effect much, because there is a total absence of skilled labor among Convicts. 13. The Gaol Report shews a decrease during the past week of 68, (chiefly Prisoners acquitted at the Criminal Sessions), the Hulk Report being unchanged - The number of women have been much larger but for the Sickness of the Summer and the melancholy accident. They have been Employed hitherto in levelling and preparing the ground, and in erecting mat sheds for working and other purposes, but this has been done so slowly that it is only now that I find myself able to direct contracts to be advertised for the commencement of the work contemplated by Report and Estimate No 5.
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6. 89 usial. IL. was Another obstacle to a formal belimato the increasing number of of prisoners... Sir of 64 November Hercules Robinson in his letter 1862 states it from Memory at over 500, the Survey or General in Report and Externate No 5 buch 2nd June 1862) at nearly boo; the Reports of today shew no less than 688, in Victoria Garl 435, and in the Convict may note that the accident of 23rd July. 12. With reference of Convict labor to the employment on the Gaol I am certain from experience of the past six months that this will not effect much, beaause there is a total absence of skilled labor among Convicts. 13. Hulk 253, and I Garl Report shews in levelling and preparing. the a decrease during the the past week of 68, (chiefly Prisoners acquitted at the Criminal Sessions), the Houlk Report being unchanged - The number women have been much larger but for the Sickness of the Summer and the melancholy They have been Employed hitherto ground, and in erecting mat sheds for working and other purposes, but this has been done so slowly that it is only now that I find myself able to direct contracts to be advertised for for the commencement of the work contemplated by Report and Estimate No 5
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6.

89

usial.

IL.

was

Another obstacle to a formal belimato

the increasing

number of

of prisoners... Sir

of

64 November

Hercules Robinson in his letter

1862 states it from Memory at over 500, the Survey or General in Report and Externate

No 5

buch

2nd June 1862) at nearly boo; the Reports of today shew no less than 688, in Victoria Garl 435, and in the Convict

may note that the

accident of 23rd July.

12.

With

reference

of Convict labor

to the employment

on

the

Gaol

I

am certain

from experience of the past six months that this will not effect much, beaause there is a total absence of skilled labor

among

Convicts.

13.

Hulk 253, and I Garl Report shews

in levelling and preparing.

the

a decrease during

the

the

past week of 68, (chiefly Prisoners acquitted at the Criminal Sessions), the Houlk Report being unchanged - The number

women have been much larger but

for

the

Sickness of the Summer and the melancholy

They have been Employed hitherto

ground, and in erecting mat sheds for working and other purposes, but this has been done so

slowly that it is only now that I find myself able to direct contracts to be advertised for for the commencement of the work

contemplated by Report and Estimate No 5

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