A PRISON CAMP.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2503, 17 May 1909, Page 5

A PRISON CAMP.

TROUBLE AT HAXMER

[Per Press Association.]

CHRISTCHURCH,. May 15. Discipline in the Hanmer prison camp has for some time past apparently been anythin" but exemplary, and a commission which enquired into the-matter on Wednesday (according to reliable information) discovered that some alteration in the method of government would have to be made if the camp wa&. to tie continued on regulation lines. Itappears that the gaoler, Mr. Murpliy. has been in charge of the campi for some time, and while he occupied thatposition he was assisted 63- three warders and two men connected with the Forestry Department. The work was therefore always under the supervision of two heads, the Justice Department and Forestry Department. Murphy, it is stated, was not a strict disciplinarian, and therefore the management oi the camp devolved in a very happy-go-lucky. sort 1 .of style. Naturally under this regime everyone was perfectly satisfied, and, as due gentleman described it to a pressman, it was more like a picnic than anything else. Recently Murphy’s health became so bad that h<v was forced to apply for leave. The Department granted his request, and, placed Gaoler Bowling, the present governor of the camp, in charge. Warder? Garlyou was at this time a clerk in the office. Bowling immediately saw thatthe camp previous to his arrival had not been run on'strictly orthodox lines, and he immediately set to work to straighten out matters. The warders, during Murphy’s governorship were,, with the permission of Colonel Hume, allowed to let the prisoners play foot-* ball and cricket on certain oecasions. Carlyon used to in tin* games. This Bowling objected 'to. Rt* later removed Carlyon to a position in charge of a gang. According to Carlyon, as they were short-handed, it was arranged that Bowling should take his turn in locking up at night and unlocking in the morning. v ' When the time* arrived for Bowling to cany out hi* part of the contract Bowling refused* and ordered Carlyon to do the work., Carlyon thereupon refused, and Bowling suspended him for refusing. Carlyon immediately communicated with Wellington, and asked for an enquiry, which Mr. Bishop, S.M., held on Wednesday. During the enquiry, which was of a Departmental nature, it was stated that.Leask, assistant was also charged with refusing duty oir a certain Satuday and Sunday. H< explained that Mr Curie, chief forester* was away on holiday, and had given-' him instructions prior to his departure* that he was not to take instructions from the prison authorities, consequently lie refused to do what Bowling told him to do. The matter will be referred to head-* quarters by the commission of inquiry*