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5. The present prison buildings if remodelled on the separate system would provide for about 280 prisoners, but whether it would not be expedient to leave a part of the buildings in their present form, so as to accommodate those classes of prisoners in respect of whom the separate system may not be deemed indispensable, is a question which must be decided in Hongkong.

6. In any case it will be necessary to acquire and to make use of space additional to that now covered by the prison and police buildings. At the north- east of the prison and police compound there is a piece of ground, described on the plan of Hongkong as block No. 215, which is at present waste, and which it has always, as I understand, been intended to utilize directly or indirectly for prison improvement. On the west side divided by a roadway from the present prison buildings, there is a lot (No. 124) at least one half of which, I understand, may be secured by purchase. I much doubt, however, whether these additions to the available space will prove sufficient; and my consent to modify my previous views cannot be regarded as final, unless and until you are able to satisfy me either that they are so, or that some additional space can be acquired.

7. On lot No. 124, or on so much of it as can be acquired, a three-storeyed block might be built containing three stories of cells which would probably represent a large proportion of the additional cellular accommodation which is requisite. The new buildings could be connected by a bridge with the main buildings,

8. Probably the best use to which block No. 215 could be put, would be to rebuild on it the Magistrates' Court as proposed by Mr. Browy in 1890, the site now occupied by the Court being appropriated for prison purposes.

9. It would be well no doubt that the area north of the existing prison buildings proper, now belonging to the police department, should be cleared wholly or to a great extent, of the cook-houses, latrines, baths, &c.; but I should deprecate the plan of again covering the space by a three-storeyed block containing cells, nor should I regard favourably a plan for rebuilding the demolished buildings, &c. on a site which would seriously cramp the space now available as a police parade ground.

10. I shall be glad if you will consider these suggestions; and if you regard them as indicating a way by which a practical and acceptable settlement of this important matter may be effected, you are at liberty to take steps at once for treating for such land as may be required. If such land cannot be obtained on fair terms and if the Government has not right of compulsory purchase in regard to it, it will be for you to consider whether you should not apply to the Council for fresh powers.

11. In dealing with any further scheme which you may submit, it would be of great assistance to me if you would supply me with photographs of the buildings from several points-some of them taken from an elevation-showing their relative positions and altitudes. I should also be glad to have sections of the slope on which the police and prison buildings are built, one drawn as from the east and one as from the west, the buildings by which the site is covered being as far as possible shown on such sections.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient, humble Servant,

KNUTSFORD.