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16. The following are the results of the work and enquiry regarding the vaccination of the long- sentenced prisoners:-

1888,

1889,

1890,

1891,

Year.

Total number of vaccination and re-vaccination.

Taken.

Failed at first vaccination and re-vaccination,

2,051

1,354

697

2,060

1,445

615

1,736

1,024

712

2,836

1,090

1,346

Total number of those who have been vac- cinated or inoculated

outside the Gaol.

1,951

2,057

1,722

2,521

:

17. The number of opium smokers that were received into Hospital and the diseases which they had, are given in the Table P.

18. Table Q shows the weight of opium smokers for the first four weeks of confinement. This work was done as usual, by warden FLORES and assistant warden HAMED.

19. The house which is occupied by female prisoners is very small and does not possess proper accommodation. The same thing can be said of the quarters in which the debtors are lodged.

20. My longer experience in dealing with prisoners, does not change the belief which I have stated in the previous reports, that the best and the simplest remedy for overcrowding, is to favour free emigration of ex-convicts to newly explored or thinly populated country such as Borneo, where there is great need of cheap labour. This enterprise could be undertaken by a private Company, and it would prove both philanthropic and remunerative. Those men could be placed for better security, under Police supervision.

21. A large number of prisoners are in this Gaol, because they cannot get food outside.

22. According to the report of Mr. A. M. THOMSON, the acting Superintendent of the Gaol, twenty five prisoners had returned last year from deportation.

23. From enquiries made, I am of opinion that many old convicts either impelled by hunger or the temptation of a vagabond life, and unable to obtain honest occupation, are not deterred by the recollection of previous punishment, but frequently return to their former criminal mode of life committing robberies and assaults.

There are, no doubt, dangerous characters, men of criminal types in this Gaol, but they are few. 24. Adequately severe punishment, in some case, would be barbarous. Many prisoners who deserve to be put on hard labour, escape it owing to enfeebled health or to old age.

25. This Gaol is also a kind of workhouse for the destitute and mendicants. I am not aware of the existence of any soctety in this Colony for helping the Chinese who are in the circumstances above described.

I have the honour to be,

Sir

Your most obedient Servant,

Dr. PH. В. C. AYRES,

Colonial Surgeon,

&C..

&0.9

$e.

Enclosure 3.

Report of the Government Analyst.

L. P. MARQUES,

Medical Officer.

GOVERNMENT LABORATORY, HONGKONG, 3rd May, 1892.

SIR,--I have the honour to submit a statement of the work done in the temporary Laboratory of this Hospital during the year 1891.

TOXICOLOGICAL.

2. Under this head nine investigations were conducted. Of these six were for the Police Magistrates, two for the Superintendent of the Civil Hospital and one for H. B. M's Consul in Canton.

3. The Magisterial cases included a search for poison in the viscera of five persons, as to the cause of whose deaths enquiries were being held. In three instances Opium was detected, and in two cases no poison was found. "In the sixth Magisterial enquiry application was made for the examination of two