61

1.—4

(2.) Decidedly so. (3.) It is more than would be sufficient for the district for such a purpose. (4.) (a.) The buildings are too extensive for subdivision into three classes only, (b.) See previous answer. (5.) Prison labour has not been employed in altering any of the Gaol buildings. (6.) In a great measure. The stone in the quarries is particularly well adapted for building purposes or for making concrete: it is convenient, and can be worked and dressed by prisoners. Carpenters' work also can be profitably done by prisoners.

WELLINGTON GAOL. I. —As to the Existing Prisons of the Colony. 1. A List of all Prisons, and the Purposes of the Prisons. One prison used as house of detention and penal gaol. It consists of four separate buildings— one large building for male prisoners, and three small buildings in separate enclosure for female prisoners. 2. Description of each Prison. (1.) It is built on a low hill on the western boundary of the city, its principal front facing the east. It is accessible for vehicles by a winding road, and is about three-quarters of a mile from the Courthouse. (2.) Constructed partly of brick and partly of wood. Some of the newer parts are covered with corrugated iron. (3.) Can be obtained at Colonial Architect's Office. (4.) Floors of cells in penal-servitude side are double, with hoop-iron between the two thicknesses. All cells are lined-and are moderately strong. (5.) Prisoners under sentence of penal servitude (males) are kept in one wing, with its exercise yard. All other male prisoners are in central portion or new wing. Debtors have separate exercise yard. Female prisoners awaiting trial, or sentenced for a first offence, are kept in one building, with exercise yard. Other female convicts in another building, also with exercise yard. Each of the women's gaols has sheds for working iv separate from the others. (6.) Fifty cells. No dormitories or work-rooms. Prisoners pick oakum in the corridors and the sheds in the women's yards. (7) Cellular accommodation: —

(8.) Annual average, 528 ; males, 440; females, 88. (9), (10), (11), (12). See plan. (13.) One in debtors' yard; three in penal yard ; two in awaiting-trial yard ; three in hard-labour yard ; one in each of the women's gaols, two being earth-closets. (14.) One in each of the yards in the men's gaol. (15.) Iron gratings in outside walls and floors and ceilings of each cell. (16.) A 7ery good. (17.) The site is an excellent one, easily drained, and very healthy. (19.) Water is laid on from the reservoir by a two-inch pipe, and there are taps in tho yards, to which a hose can be attached; but in case of a large fire the supply would not be sufficient. A length of 200 feet of hose is always kept in readiness, and on the occasion of a fire iv November, 1876, which broke out in a shed in one of the yards of the women's gaols, it proved very efficacious, and enabled us to extinguish the fire without assistance. There is also a good well of water from which firebuckets might be supplied.

No. of Cells. Size of Cells. Height. Cubic Contents. No. Sleeping in each Cell. Cubic Feet to each Person. 'enal side Corridor adjoining ... 8 10 12 ft. x6ft. 7 ft. 9 in. x6ft. Ft. in. 10 0 10 6 Ft. 720 488 3 Ft. in. 240 0 488 0 162 2 253 0 240 0 240 0 420 0 Lwaiting-trial ward lard-labour ward ... 3 9 1 10 ft. 4 in. x 6 ft. 8 in. 12 ft. x 8 ft. 12 ft. x 12 ft. 13 ft. x 9 ft. 10 in. 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 758 960 1,440 1,278 Generally 1, sometimes 3 3 4 6 it )ebtors'-room Seldom more than 3 1 1 Vomen's gaol, No. 1 No. 2 8 1 4 10 ft. x 6 ft. 6 in. 10 ft. x 7 ft. 10 ft. x6ft. 8 in. 12 0 12 0 10 0 765 840 666 765 0 840 0 666 0 222 0 222 0 Generally 1, sometimes 3 3 No. 3 8 10 ft. x6ft. 8 in. 10 0 666