CO129-317 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [4-6] — Page 479

472

receptacle for short term prisoners who have been declared by

the Medical Officer to be unfit for hard labour. The Reforma-

tory will accommodate about 100 such prisoners. This will, I

hope prevent the recurrence of overcrowding in the Gaol in

the immediate future.

4.

I shall address you separately on the

subject of Gaol extension as this is now obviously a matter

of urgency. Meanwhile I attach a minute by the Acting Superin-

tendent of the Victoria Gaol regarding the additional Staff

for which provision must be made in the 1904 Estimates for

the temporary prison, showing a total additional cost of $5,215

and have the honour to submit the matter for your approval.

5.

In Dr. Thomson's minute of 4th. June he

assumes the possibility of the infection of the Warders by

inhalation from septicaemic cases. Hitherto the assumption

has been that infection by inhalation was to be feared in

cases of pneumonic plague only, but our daily experience here

shows that the mystery of plague infection has been by no means

exhaustively explored.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient

Humble servant,

Henry Botha he

Governor, &C..

!!