80

feet deep; at which depth, water of excellent quality and abundant in quantity has been struck.

When it was first proposed to me to sink these wells by Prison labor, I had grave doubts as to whether any of the men were capable of performing the work. I certainly knew of none. Under these circumstances, I mustered the prisoners, told them what I wanted done, and then asked if any of them understood well sinking, and could undertake to do the work; a sufficient number at once stepped out of the ranks, and volunteered their services.

I have considered this incident worth recording here, as an illustration of the willing manner in which the prisoners undertook the work—which has since proved of a very arduous and difficult character, and has been very laborious; for a great portion of the distance they had to cut through hard rock—in one well nearly the whole—and the manner in which the work has been performed, as well as the expedition with which it has been done, reflects great credit on all concerned.

The whole of the interior of the Men’s Gaol has been thoroughly painted by prison labor; and a large portion of the corrugated iron fence round the Women’s Gaol. The brick work in the interior of the Gaol has also been repaired; plastering has been done in several places; the whole of the walls, ceilings, cells, corridors, and officers’ quarters, have been whitewashed in a superior manner; the chevaux de frise round the exercising yards, has also been thoroughly repaired and painted.

The boots worn by both male and female prisoners have, as usual, been made in the Gaol; indeed, nothing has been done by outside labor that could by any possibility be done by the prisoners.

The female prisoners have been employed in picking oakum, and in washing and repairing the clothing and bedding throughout the Gaol.

The whole of the officers have performed their duties most faithfully and efficiently.

The books recently supplied by the Provincial Government will prove a most valuable addition to the Gaol library, which now consists of upwards of four hundred volumes.

The Provincial Surgeon, and his Assistant, have been most attentive; either one or the other, has visited the Gaol regularly every week—and on many other occasions when I have had to send for them, they have always paid the most prompt attention.

The Venerable Archdeacon Stock, and the Rev. Father Petit Jean, have performed Divine service regularly throughout the year. The Rev. Father O’Reilly has also paid an occasional visit. Mr. David Hall, City Missionary, has also attended as usual.

The returns for the year ending 31st December, 1872 (forwarded herewith), show a small increase in the total number of committals; but as most of these have been for trifling offences, for which only short terms of imprisonment have been awarded, they have in no way increased the daily average of prisoners, as compared with former years,—for the pleasing fact remains, that, notwithstanding there has been a very large increase in the population, there has been the same steady decrease of crime, which has so happily marked the progress of the Province of late. The daily average (which includes all classes of prisoners) for the last four years being as under:—

In the year 1869 ... 57
„ 1870 ... 53½
„ 1871 ... 45
„ 1872 ... 40

The number of debtors committed to gaol has also been unusually small, only giving an average of one for six months, or one half for the whole year.

This is, doubtless, to be attributed in a great measure to the prosperous condition of the Province, and the readiness with which employment can be obtained by all who are able and willing to work.

Another matter of congratulation is to be found in the fact that discharged prisoners can readily obtain employment here. It is not unusual to see discharged prisoners at work in the city of Wellington a day or two after they have left the Gaol, consequently they are not compelled to resort to a life of crime to obtain a living.

In order to obtain a correct estimate of the value of the prison labor, I have consulted with Mr. Toxward, Architect, who has superintended the erection of the Asylum, and is thoroughly acquainted with the nature and amount of work done, and his valuation has been taken.

The greatest economy has been observed throughout the establishment; and notwithstanding the large reduction made in the estimates of last year, as compared with the preceding year, amounting to £755, I have been able to effect a saving of £166 13s 3d.

Appropriation for Gaol ... £2,115 7 6
Total expenditure ... £1,948 14 3

Expended less appropriation ... £166 13 3