Sessional_Paper_1895 — Page 577

( 18 )

Meeting held 22nd January, 1895.

Present:-Dr. KNOTT, Deputy-Inspector General, R.N.H., Chairman.

Surgeon-Colonel A. F. PRESTON.

Hon. A. McCONACHIE.

Dr. JAMES CANTLIE.

Mr. J. THURburn.

H. B. LETHBRIDGE, Esq., Superintendent Victoria Gaol, called.

THE PRESIDENT.-Tell us generally the duties of the Medical Officer of the Gaol. Mr. LETHBRIDGE.---Every morning he has to see the complaining sick in Gaol, the prisoners who may be admitted to Gaol the day before, the prisoners on the report who are brought down to me to be dealt with. He has to visit the punishment cells and see all prisoners in solitary confinement; he has to see any prisoners who may be in the separate cells who may happen to be sick. He has to see only the sick in separate cells. Once a week he makes a general examination of all prisoners. They are paraded for that purpose and he inspects them. Occasionally he should see the rations and see if they are of good quality.

THE PRESIDENT.-Only in cases of complaint?

Mr. LETHBRIDGE.-No; whether there is a complaint or not. He has also to examine all candidates for employment in the Gaol. He has to attend to any of the staff who happen to be sick and their families.

town.

THE PRESIDENT.-Do the families live outside ?

Mr. LETHBRIDGE.-Yes. They are scattered about a good deal throughout the

Dr. PRESTON. Are there many families?

Mr. LETHBRIDGE.-Ten, altogether. There are ten married men living outside. Mr. TAURBURN. Does that regular morning routine take long every morning? Mr. LETHBRIDGE.-Well, Dr. MARQUES is in the Gaol on an average two and a half hours every morning. The work depends, I suppose, very much on the character of the Medical Officer.

THE PRESIDENT.-You think he might get through in less time on an average? Mr. LETHBRIDGE.-Well, I do not think I can say that. It depends on what is the matter with each individually, and how much time he has to devote to each prisoner. I find that the average number of complaining sick daily is 30, that is approximately. The daily average number of new prisoners, taking last year's figures, is 13. The daily average number of prisoners who have to be inspected prior to being dealt with for breach of prison discipline, 14. There are 43 European members of the prison staff, whom he might be called upon to see from time to time; there are 8 Chinese members of the staff; and there are 20 Indians. The daily average number of prisoners on No. 3 or light labour by doctor's orders last year was 105. These prisoners would have to be inspected by the Medical Officer before they are put on hard labour again, before they are taken off the No. 3 book.

Dr. PRESTON.-What is the nature of the medical inspection they undergo before being put on hard labour? Is it only a casual inspection?