CO129-231 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1887 [1-3] — Page 153

Dr. Ayres was appointed to enquire into the matter.

This sub-Committee reported that the diet for prisoners sentenced to Penal Servitude was much in excess of requirements for health, and submitted a new and reduced scale of diet.

This sub-committee further reported that taking all the circumstances of the Gaol into consideration, they were of opinion that the change of diet could not be carried out without some chance of disturbance and insubordination on the part of the prisoners.

The Superintendent stated to the Committee that he felt sure that this change would be accompanied by a disturbance, if not a mutiny, in Gaol, and asked the Committee not to recommend the change, unless they were prepared also to recommend some increase to his disciplinary powers.

The Committee shared the apprehensions of the Superintendent, and adopted his request in the 25th paragraph of their report. On the 18th June last, the Executive Council advised that the reduced scale be approved and carried out, whenever the Superintendent should report he was prepared to do so.

The Secretary of State having approved of additional powers being conferred on the Superintendent, the New Scale was put in force on the 20th Ultimo. There was some grumbling and dissatisfaction on the part of the prisoners sentenced to penal servitude.