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A—I do not think that is much of a punishment. In this climate one can lic down in cross-irons and be quite comfortable.
Q-Do you think the Chinese dread solitary confinement?
A-I do not think they like it, but I do not think it is much of a punishment.
Q-Not much of a deterrent?
A--No. I should go so far as to say that in the case of a man who did not like hard labour it would be no punishment at all.
Q-I think you said that cutting the diet down and confining an inmate to rice and water is much more of a punishment to Chinamen than the ordinary punishment?
A-No, I do not think so.
Q-There is a Rule that the Superintendent may deprive any prisoner of his evening meal for persistent and aggravated idleness, or refusal to labour.
A-That Rule is only used in the case of a man who is going out next morning. Q-Is it limited to that?
A-In practice; it is not limited to that in theory. In practice it is limited to a man who is leaving the Gaol the next morning.
Q-Why is that ?
A-It is convenient.
Q-Do you not think it would be better to deprive them of the evening meal?
A-When would you deprive them of the evening meal? I think depriving them of the evening meal for the second offence is not much of a punishment, and I would not deprive them of the evening meal for the first offence. It is a matter of practice; I used to give them three days' rice and water.
Q-They cannot get more than three days rice and water?
A-No.
Q-Are there any other forms of punishment you can suggest in lieu of the pre- sent forins of hard labour at the Gaol ?
A--No.
Q-Which form of hard labour has been the cause of most flogging?
A-The crank.
Q-What are the number of revolutions ?
A-12,500, I think. The number is less than it is at home.
Q-But the physique of a Chinaman is always less than that of a European?
A-Taking that into consideration it should be known that no prisoner is put on the crank except the old offenders.
Q-Is it chiefly old offenders who are flogged?
A-Chiefly old offenders, Yes.
Q-Is the same number of revolutions required in the summer as in the winter?
A-Yes; of course, the matter is left to the judgment of the Medical Officer in each case.
Q-Wer
ere the Indian Turnkeys appointed during your terms of office?
A-Yes.
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