GISBORNE CAMPERS IN OLD GAOL

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30044, 31 January 1963, Page 14

GISBORNE CAMPERS IN OLD GAOL

“Ths Press" Special Service

GISBORNE, January 30. Nearly half the campers who come. to Gisborne for their holidays finish up in gaol. What is more, they like it, for Gisborne’s gaol is now ChuretriH Park, one at the city’s two camping grounds. In 1944 the big brick building was taken over as a wartime wool store, the prisoners being transferred to Napier. Ten years later a queen carnival raised about £12,000 which was used to create the present camp. The 12 cells round the

exercise yard which had previously held the male prisoners were converted into comfortable three - bunk cabins, the iron bars being removed from the windows. The exercise yard was roofed and now forms a large recreation ball.

The prisoners’ former dining and recreation roonw were made into a diningroom at the end of the new recreation hall and the four women’s cells at the north end brought the number of “cell cabins’* to 16. The camp is bounded by an 3ft 6in high concrete wall, which in places is still surmounted with broken glass. Among the former nonpaying guests was Mr Robert Semple, the first Labour Government Minister of Works. As a staunch opponent ot conscription during the First World War Mr Semple was arrested when he came to Gisborne.

Shortly after the resumption of work on the Gis-borne-Waikokopu section of the East Coast railway, Mr Stemple, as a Minister, paid an official visit to Gisborne and was welcomed by civic leaders.

“This is a bit different from the last reception committee I had here.” he commented. “On that occasion a sergeant and two constables picked me up and carted me off to the local lock-up ” -