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Appendix K.

ANNUAL REPORT ON WELLINGTON GAOL,

Wellington Gaol,
8th April, 1875.

Sir,

I have the honor to forward, for your information, the following Report relative to this department for the year commencing the 1st April, 1874, and ending the 31st March, 1875.

There have been 467 males and 59 females committed to this gaol during the year ending 31st December, 1874 (to which date the returns forwarded herewith are made up as required by the General Government), making a total of 526, as against 232 in the year 1872, and 306 in 1873. This shows a steady increase, which may naturally be expected to continue, in consequence of the large number of persons constantly arriving in this province. The offences, fortunately, have not been of a serious character, and generally short sentences have been awarded, but at times the want of increased accommodation has been greatly felt.

During the last three months there has been a very large increase, more particularly in the number of females charged with drunkenness and breaches of the Vagrant Act, and that part of the building appropriated to their use has been very much overcrowded; but the new building now in course of erection will, when completed, afford sufficient accommodation, and enable me to classify them in the future, but additional accommodation is urgently required, and must be provided, for the male prisoners.

The general conduct of all classes of prisoners has been very good, only three having been brought before the Visiting Justices for breaches of prison discipline during the year.

There has been no escape or attempt to escape.

The general health has been very good. There has been no disease or death.

The Venerable Archdeacon Stock and the Rev. Father Petit Jean have regularly performed divine service on Sundays. On such occasions the behaviour of the prisoners has been most attentive and orderly.

The boots, for both male and female prisoners, have been made in the gaol, as heretofore, by prisoners who have been taught the trade here. A small supply of men’s boots has been furnished to the Asylum by direction of the Provincial Secretary, and they have been found far superior, both in strength and durability, to those obtained from other places.

The gaol grounds have been very much improved. The greater portion fronting to Woolcombe-street has been dug and trenched to a depth of three feet, nearly three hundred evergreen conifers have been planted, and not more than twenty have failed; the remainder are doing well, and already materially add to the appearance of this part of the town.

The male prisoners sentenced to penal servitude and hard labor, have been employed for one hundred and thirty-five (165) days in levelling and improving the grounds of the Wellington College, and forming and metalling the roads leading thereto. They have also been employed for ninety-six (96) days in improving the grounds of the Lunatic Asylum, burning and clearing away large quantities of furze, and forming the approaches to the Asylum from the Adelaide Road, and are now engaged in levelling the site for the proposed additions to the gaol.

The female prisoners have been employed in making the prison clothing for themselves, picking oakum, and washing and repairing the whole of the clothing and bedding in use at the gaol.

The exterior of the Wardens’ house, gaol, fences, gates, etc., has been well painted, and all carpenter’s work required about the gaol has been done by prison labour.

By strict economy, I have been able to keep the expenditure within the appropriation.