150
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 10TH MARCH, 1894.
natural when they compare the nature of their duties and the number of hours that they are on duty with those of the Police. I hope that when the separate cells are completed they will afford sufficient accommodation for the greater number of prisoners and that I may then be able to make a slight alteration in the number of hours on duty by the divisions taking a short and long day alternately. I have already during the year made certain recommendations for placing the staff on a more satis- factory footing in which I dealt with the question of pay. I have also asked that proper mess and At the present time recreation rooms, with a Billiard Table, may be provided for the European staff. officers coming off duty have no means of recreation provided in their quarters, consequently they The frequency with seek these in the town which is often the cause of their getting into trouble. which officers are called upon to go on extra duty is caused by the perpetual vacancies occurring in the staff and the number of officers in hospital at one time. This is extremely hard on and is keenly felt by those officers who discharge their duties conscientiously.
14. All the Turnkeys who joined during the year were engaged locally and most of them have proved to be useless. There is a great deal to be said both for and against obtaining Turnkeys from England. I am of opinion that, at any rate, a percentage of the staff should be engaged and trained in England.
15. I must again bring to notice the insufficient yard space. I hoped that more space would have been provided by the Gaol Extension, but I find that when the two blocks of cells and other necessary buildings are erected the yard space on the new site will make no appreciable difference.
16. Owing to the limited number of Turnkeys available for duty I have not been able to send out the chain-gang, which is usually employed on public works, since the month of August.
17. The industrial labour account for 1893 shows a profit of $2,726.76. The decrease in the year's profits is chiefly due to the increased cost of paper stuff for Oakum picking and coir yarn for mat space. making. I must however again point out that industrial work is greatly hampered by want of
18. It is to be regretted that accommodation for female prisoners is not included in the scheme for the Extension of the Gaol. The unsuitableness of the building in which they are now located is well known. There are only 2 associated wards and 2 punishment cells so that, in order to keep prisoners on remand separate from convicted prisoners, all classes of convicted prisoners must be placed together in one ward. The only place where the prisoners can exercise in the open air is 24 feet long and 9 feet wide, a totally inadequate space for the purpose.
19. I forward herewith the usual returns.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
The Honourable
THE COLONial Secretary.
(A.)
H. B. LETHBRIDGE,
Superintendent.
VICTORIA GAOL.
Return of Reports for talking, idling, short oakum picking, &c., in the years, 1890, 1891, 1892 and 1898.
1890.
MONTH.
Daily average number in Prison, 566.
1891.
1892. Daily average number | Daily average number
in Prison, 507.
in Prison, 515.
1893. Daily average number
iu Prison, 458.
January,..
February,
March,
196
252
237
264
181
116
816
150
243
227
351
330
April,
212
202
253
240
May,
290
257
142
198
June,
260
313
129
138
July,
520
427
96
242
August,
349
478
224
211
September,.
304
489
142
204
October,
243
397
108
79
November,
135
441
129
94
December,
157
469
259
132
Total,
3,090
4,063
2,386
2,282
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