Sessional_Paper_1903 — Page 82

No. 8.

REPORT OF

PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

at a Meeting held on the 1st October, 1903.

PRESENT :

The Honourable the Director of Public Works (WILLIAM CHATHAM). Chairman.

the Colonial Treasurer (ALEXANDER MACDONALD Tпoмsox).

Sir CareшCK PAUL CHATER, Kt., C.M.G.

CHARLES WEDDERBURN DICKSON.

GERSHON STEWART.

5294

Establishment of a Convict Prison on Stourentters Island. G8 C.O.D.)

The Chairman laid before the Committee an estimate which had been prepared by the Superintend- ent of the Gaol showing that the cost of the staff for supervising the proposed prison and the cost of transport would amount in all to $33,152 per annum, the sum included for transport being $2,600. The only saving to be effected in the present annual expenditure would be $5,836, which is now expendel in connection with using the Belilios Reformatory as a gaol. The net extra expense of the proposed prison would therefore amount to $27,316 per annum. The only saving which would be effected by constructing a prison on the outskirts of the City instead of on Stonecutters would be the sum of $2,600 per annum for transport. The annual working expenses of the existing gaol amounted. to $110,176.80.

The Chairman also read the Colonial Secretary's minute of the 24th September, 1903, in which he stated that, in the event of the Colonial Government abandoning the Stonecutters site for a gaol, the War Department might contribute as much as half the cost of the new Gunpowder Depôt on Green Island, which is estimated to cost $107,000.

The Committee desire that definite information should be obtained as to the amount which the Military Authorities would be prepared to contribute in the event of the Gunpowder Depôt being removed from Stonecutters' Island as proposed, and

(4.) the proposal to erect a Convict Prison there being carried out ; (b) the proposal to erect a Convict Prison there being abandoned.

The Committee then adjourned.

Laid before the Legislative Commeil this 19th day of November, 1903.

R. F. JOHNSTON, Acting Clerk of Councils.

25-23.11.03.

W. CHATHAM,

Chairman.