1.-4.

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injuries received in the execution of his duty, would be a great inducement for men to remain in the service, and thus increase their efficiency. The duties of a gaol officer are at all times very trying and arduous, and tell upon the constitution far more than many other occupations. The duties in this Gaol would be more efficiently performed if an additional officer were appointed, as the hours in summer are very long. With an additional officer two reliefs could be made, one-half of the men coming on duty at 5 a.m. till 5 p.m., and the other half from 7 a.m. till 8 p.m. The senior under-turnkey, who has charge of the penal-servitude gang, should be promoted from under-turnkey, at Bs. 6d. per diem, to turnkey, at 9s. per diem. At present, although he has all the responsibility, he has no more pay than some of the officers who are under him, and who are bound to obey his orders. That in future the staff should be as under: One turnkey, 10s.; two turnkeys, 95.; three overseers, Bs. 6d.; three overseers, 7s. 6d. (that is, an increase of one overseer at 7s. 6d., and a decrease of one at 75.) ; two overseers, 7s. The Matron also complains very much of her salary being only £50 per annum, while that of the female turnkey is £73. It does not seem possible to reduce the cost of the Gaol. ll.—lmprovement of Old Prisons. (1.) No satisfactory replies can be given to this. A sufficient outlay might render the present building much more available for classification and separation of prisoners than it is at present, but it is doubtful whether it could ever be made suitable for all the classes of prisoners now confined in it. (2.) The present buildings are not much more than sufficient for a non-criminal prison for the district, if proper classification is carried out. (3.) With the necessary alterations, yes. (5.) A large house has been built for the Gaoler entirely by prison labour. A very valuable site levelled for new buildings, all material for new buildings placed on the ground, and all labouring work done. More recently, extensive repairs have been effected, two of the prisoners working as carpenters with the free men, and doing quite as much work. All plumbing work required and painting has also been done by prison labour. (6.) Under proper direction—to almost any extent.

LYTTELTON GAOL. I.—As to the Existing Prisons of the Colony. 1. A List of all Prisons and the purposes of the Prisons. For males and (6) females; for prisoners awaiting trial; for prisoners convicted and sentenced to penal servitude; as also for other prisoners sentenced to various terms of hard labour ; for debtors, lunatics, &c. 2. Description of each Prison. (1.) It is situated in Lyttelton, near the centre of the town, and has an imposing appearance as regards stability and security. It is easy of access, both by rail and water, and is adjoining the Resident Magistrate's Court, but distant from the Supreme Court, which is held in Christchurch. (2.) All new portions of the prison building are of concrete, the old portions are of wood and iron, which are being swept away as fast as the new is completed. (3.) A complete set of plans, as it is intended tho prison would be when completed, were forwarded to the office of Minister of Justice on the 24th December, 1877. There are no plans of the old portions of the prison now standing. (4.) Cellular accommodation, except in special circumstances. (5.) No provision for separate classification, except for refractory prisoners and those under a sentence, by Visiting Justices, of special separate treatment through misconduct. There are also separate divisions of the prison for debtors and females. It is intended to conduct the prison on separate-system principles. (6.) At present 121; but when completed as per plans, 204. (7.) As intended as per plan, 185 separate cells ; dormitories, 5 ; working-rooms, 8, viz.: Printing office, Nos. 1 and 2, 25 x 17 x 12 each ; tinsmiths, &c, No. 8, 21 x 17 x 10 ; painters, No. 4, 21 x 17 x 10; blacksmiths, No. 5, 45 xl 7 x 10; tailors, No. 6, 23 x 24 x 10; shoemakers, No. 7, 34 x 24 x 10; carpenters, No. 8, 46 x 25 x 10. One prisoner in each cell; 185 cells ; average cubic feet of air per cell, 478. (8.) Daily average number of prisoners—lB73, 66 ; 1874, 85 ; 1875, 89 ; 1876, 98; 1877, 102. (9.) One work yard, 70 x 76; one general exercising yard, 77 x7B ; one refractory ditto, 67 x 11; and one ditto for females, 41 x 25. (10.) According to plan, will have all meals in separation in their cells. (11.) One kitchen, 22 x 22 x 14. (12.) Five baths ; lavatories in cells, except for bathing. (13.) Eight for criminal male prisoners, built of concrete in a recess in divisional wall, with halfdoors, so that all prisoners can be seen at all times, and when standing, yet can be decently hidden. In general exercising yard—one for debtors, one for refractory prisoners, aud one for females, in their respective divisions. (14.) Two for criminals; one for debtors ; one for refractory division.