1.—4

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testants 108, average 2160; Roman Catholics 1,099, average 21980; Jews 10, average 2 ; Pagans 30, average 6 ; other persuasions 36, average 720 ; religion unknown 3, average '60 : total, 3,822. (2.) The Rev. Mr. Torrance, Presbyterian, and the Rev. Father Larkin, Roman Catholic, every Sabbath for Divine service; the former, who is chaplain, two or three times every week. (3.) See clergymen's report and remarks. 11. Moral Effects of Imprisonment. (1.) (as.) The greatest difficulty is to ascertain who are first offenders, (b.) Of the existing punishments in this Gaol there are no apparent effects. The majority of the criminal class no kindness could conciliate, no discipline tame, and who as constantly return to crime as the dog to his vomit. (2.) See reply to Schedule No. 7. (3.) The evil effects of association, from there being no provision for separate sleeping in this more than in other gaols of the colony, are diminished by the fact that prisoners are fatigued by their work, and sleep soundly without giving any cause for complaint. (4.) See clergyman's report. 12. Cost of Prison and Prisoners. (1.) Do not know. (2.) Aggregate salaries during the period of five years —viz., 1873 to 1877 inclusive: 1873 —total officers, 30 ; total salaries, £5,505 19s. 6d. ; daily average prisoners, 8625 ; salary average per head per annum, £63 16s. 6d. 1874 —total officers, 31; total salaries, £5,814 Is. 6d.; daily average prisoners, 10696 ; salary average per head per annum, £54 6s. 9d. 1875 —total officers, 36 ; total salaries, £7,096 4s. Bd.; daily average prisoners, 15765 ; salary average per head per annum, £45 Is. Id. 1876—total officers, 39; total salaries, £7,656 45.; daily average prisoners, 15252; salary average per head per annum, £50 Os. 9d. IS77 —total officers, 37; total salaries, £7,071 25.; daily average prisoners, 13333. Salary average per head per annum, £53 Os. 9d. Salary average per head for term, £53 ss. 2d.; average officers for term, 3460. (3.) Aggregate for 1877, £1,177 12s. lOd. Average per head, £8 16s. Bd. (4.) Bread supplied by the Dunedin Lunatic Asylum; other necessary rations under contract with one tradesman. (5.) No. (6.) Ration supplies, delivered daily in quantity as required, are received, weighed, and inspected by sergeant officer in charge, under the supervision of the Governor. (7.) See (5), (a), (b), (c), Section 5. Penal servitude and hard labour as one. (8.) Net cost of prisoners per head, after deducting share of salaries and rations, during 1877: (a) and (b). Cost share per head —Salaries, £53 Os. 9d. ; general expenses, £13 16s. 7d. : total, £66 17s. 4d. Deduct share per head—Salaries, £53 Os. 9d.; rations, £8 16s. 8d ; net cost, £4 19s. lid: total, £66 17s. 4d. Average net cost for five years, £7 lis. 11=d. 13. Pardons, Remissions, Petitions, and Recommendations. (1) and (2). Records of petitions, if any, by whom recommended, and the grounds urged for pardon, not here, but may be found in the office of Department of Justice. (3.) None. 14. Special Suggestions. In compiling the value of labour, 5 (a), (b), (c), section 5, it will be seen that the practice in Great Britain, Ireland, and the United States, with regard to similar returns, in crediting the establishments with the estimated value of tradesmen's, overseers', and foremen-warders' labour, has not in this instance been adopted; and, as the successful manner in which different works have been carried out is in a great measure due to the example of industry and honesty of thoroughly practical men having the supervision, and who themselves have worked with the various gangs during the day (and done regular duty with the other warders, except as night sentries), and as the Gaol has to pay the salaries of these officers, it is fairly entitled to have the value of their labour taken to its account when the question of the actual earnings of the institution is under consideration. Again, having such qualified officers obviates the necessity of employing free labour—a course highly detrimental to prison discipline ; and their example will, in many instances, arouse amongst the prisoners a spirit of emulation, and be attended with beneficial results. II. —Improvement of Old Prisons. (1.) (a,) (b), (c.) The additions or changes, so far as H.M. Gaol, Dunedin, is concerned, for carrying out classification, separation, or industrial work, mean an entirely new edifice. (2.) Not more than sufficient (see (3) (/'), section 4). (3.) Answer No. 18, section 2, also applicable here. (4.) Professional opinion is here requisite, which would cost a considerable sum, (5.) None. (6.) No.