"HARD LABOUR" IN PRISONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 58, 9 March 1903, Page 2

"HARD LABOUR" IN PRISONS.

GO : L PREFERRED TO TREE-PLANT-i " ING.

That tree-planting, as a prison occupation, is not relished by some prisoners I was seen to-day at the Police Court, be- | fore Mr 11. W. Brabant. S.M., when ! George Lee. an elderly man, gave his (reasons for breaking out of confinement at Waitapu. Lee pleaded guilty to the charge, and stated that about two months ago he 'was forwarded to Waitapu with twelve [others. They went up in their own j clothes, and had every opportunity of i escaping, as they slept in the Courthouse at Rotorua with the door open and no warder. He was put to treeplanting at Waitapu, but for a man of 65. which was his age, it was too laborious, and he could not, do it. He got disheartened and wanted to get back to goal. The very man who prompted him to escape told the warders, and gave him every assistance in getting clear of the hut, knowing that the warders were waiting to arrest him. All he wanted to do was to back to Mount Eden.

His Worship (to Governor Severn, of Mount. Eden Gaol): Is it not considered an advantage to be in such a place? Governor Severn-. It is generally considered so by the public, and some prisoners wish to go up there because they are released quicker, owing to earning more marks. Others say they would rather be in Mount Eden Gaol. Lee alleged that the prisoners at Waitapu were kept for nine hours a day on hard nnd laborious work, with only a few ounces of bread and a.little cheese for food. His Worship: I have always considered it was a humane indulgence to be extended lo prisoners of good conduct, but (addressing Lee) your conduct at Waitapu was anything but good, and you are sentenced to four months' hard labour, to commence at the expiration of your sentence. Lee remarked that if he had known what the sentence would have been he would have gone to the Supreme Court. as it would have been less severe there.