Sessional_Paper_1896 — Page 647

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RESERVATIONS BY DR. ATKINSON,

1. Referring to paragraph 7, sub-section ix, and paragraph 8, sub-sections iv. and vi., I am of opinion that no flogging should exceed six strokes at any one time. My reason for this is that a greater number is liable to seriously injure the prisoner and incapacitate him from working for a lengthened period, whilst if only six strokes are administered at one time no serious injury can accrue under ordinary circumstances and the culprit will be able to resume the ordinary Prison labour within a day or so of their administration.

2. I am of opinion that paragraph 8, sub-section vii., should be omitted altogether, as it is within the province of the Surgeon to the Gaol to determine when a prisoner is in a fit state to receive a second flogging.

3. I am also of opinion that paragraph 8, sub-section xiv., should be amended se

follows:-

"That in the case of prisoner No. 528, there is sufficient ground for

concluding that the aggravated state of his wounds might have "been caused to some extent by his own actions after his discharge "from Gaol, and no sufficient ground for concluding that it was

solely due to the manner in which he was flogged."

J. M. ATKINSON.