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12. A greater portion of prisoners than usual was noticed suffering from stomatitis. This com- plaint is chiefly observed in winter. The tongues and mouths are very much irritated, covered with minute vesicles, portions of mucous membrane are detached. I am told that this state is sometimes produced or rendered worse by an excessive use of salt or of some other irritant substance, with the view of getting a change of diet.
13. The difference in quantity of food of prisoners, who undergo punishment diet for breach of Gaol rules and of those who are under fourteen days' imprisonment, is only two ounces less of rice.
Some cunning convicts prefer to have a little less rice, and to lie down quietly, rather than to pick the full task of oakum.
14. Many of the men who are sentenced to work in this Gaol, are more fit to be inmates of hos- pitals for aged and infirm. This class of prisoners is an expensive and troublesome one, as they often require better nourishment and special attention.
15. The discipline of this Gaol is very strict as it should be in an Establishment of this kind, and I consider the labour usually assigned to convicts during the first six months, above all if they are old offenders, very severe. But it appears that it has not a very deterrent effect on a large number of them.
16. General GORDON, the Superintendent of this Gaol, has directed, at my request, the following information to be supplied to me.
In 1890, 472 old criminals were admitted to Gaol, and 29 men were sentenced to hard labour for having returned from deportation.
17. The number of offenders of tender age was smaller than it had been for the last two years; nevertheless it amounted to 107. One of them was convicted three times and twice whipped. A young man who had received six strokes for larceny was sentenced, within a week afterwards, to six inonths' hard labour and to get twelve strokes, for earring snatching from a Chinese womau.
I could quote other instances of juvenile relapses in crimes. All these offenders belong to the very poor class, are illiterate and have received but little or no moral training and are constantly exposed to great temptations.
18. The quarter at present occupied by debtors is altogether too limited. It is necessary to build a new one, for the proper accommodation of the inmates.
19. The overcrowding in this Gaol is due to various and complex causes, some of which, how- ever, could be prevented without much difficulty.
In this Colony with an overwhelming Chinese population, there are very few benevolent societies for assisting those who need it.
20. Many men are in this Gaol because they have no means of supporting themselves. An old criminal who knew well the rules, regretted that he was not condemned to a longer term of imprison- ment, probably because he was longing for more food than is allowed to short-sentenced prisoners.
21. The convicts, whom I have asked, expressed their willingness to emigrate, provided they would be sure of getting a living.
22. Those who are deported are generally sent only to the neighbouring mainland where they wander about with scarcely any prospect, or none at all, of finding employment, although some of them are skilful artisans. They could easily return to this Colony. Most of them for want of means, cannot reach their former homes.
23. If some inducements were offered to these men to go to newly explored countries, to places which are not very salubrious, there they could under Government supervision or that of a private Company, be engaged in filling up swamps, cutting roads, or do other useful work which ordinary labourers would not undertake, unless highly remunerated.
I have the honour to be,
Dr. Pн. B. C. AYRES,
Colonial Surgeon,
&c.,
&c.,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
L. P. MARQUES, Medical Officer.
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