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(f) Certain alterations in the yards round A and B halls (the Gaol extension) have been made to prevent escapes, and a useful addition to the yard space between the two halls has been contrived.

9. The following improvements are being now effected by Prison labour, having been undertaken before the end of the year :-

In the Lower East Yard the ramp is being entirely removed affording a site for a new and enlarged laundry, which it is proposed to build, and additional yard space for the laundry work, while the old laundry will be converted into a shed for general labour. When the above work has been completed, it is proposed to demolish B wing and to erect in its place a new hall. B wing contains 15 Association cells and 2 separate cells. The new Ward would contain 76 separate cells, and, being much more compact, would enable an increase in space in the Upper Yard. It is also proposed to cover in the centre of the Upper Yard as a protection against sun and rain in summer time. With the erection of the proposed new Ward, the Gaol would contain 501 separate cells and 11 Association cells, the latter being capable of accommodating 55 prisoners, or a total of 556.

The Gaol could then be conducted almost entirely on the separate system.

10. The fact that the capacity of the Gaol accommodation does not exceed 557 prisoners is one that should not be lost sight of, and when it is remembered that it is necessary to have space accom- modation in the Gaol to meet the demands of any emergency, it is evident that with a rapidly growing population and the acquisition of new territory, the question of increasing the Gaol accommodation for the Colony is one that already demands the attention of Government.

11. During the year one Chinese prisoner succeeded in escaping, and two others attempted to escape, but were re-captured by Prison officers, by scaling the boundary wall of the Gaol extension.

Structural additions have now been made which will render escapes from the same locality very

difficult.

12. The profits on industrial labour amounted to $6,204.19, as compared with $2,620.08 in the preceding year. The balance sheets of each industry are shown in enclosure E. The increase is prin- cipally due to the extension of the Printing Department which now executes the job printing required by the Government and the Military Authorities.

13. I append a table shewing the daily average number of prisoners engaged on non-productive labour, on productive labour and in Gaol services, and of the value of the labour of the prisoners in the two latter categories.

14. A statement of the casualties that occurred in the Gaol Staff during the year is annexed. The large number of resignations in the Indian Staff was due to the men throwing up their appointment to seek more lucrative employment elsewhere.

Vacancies in the European Staff have, with one exception, that of a Hospital Warder, been filled by local candidates drawn from the Army. Some promising officers have been thus acquired.

15. The year has been an exceptionally busy one in the Gaol, and the large works referred to in paragraph 8, carried out as they were, simultaneously with a high daily average, and at times excessive number of prisoners-the daily average in July was 559 and on two occasions during that month the number reached 589–entailed a great deal of new and unaccustomed work on the officers.

Credit is due to all for their share in the labour, but the services rendered by the Chief Warder

in immediately directing and supervising the work deserves special notice.

Mr. CRAIG assisted me with many valuable suggestions in connection with the various works, and to his technical knowledge and unfailing industry and resource is largely due the successful accom- plishment of an undertaking of no small magnitude.

The Honourable

THE ACTING Colonial SeckETARY.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

F. H. MAY,

Superintendent.