DUNEDIN GAOL INQUIRY.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume VI, Issue 1009, 17 July 1883, Page 2

DUNEDIN GAOL INQUIRY.

The following evidence was taken by the Commission in Wellington yesterday : Prisoner Andrew Gummock deposed that he was a prisoner in Dunedin Gaol from 7th July, 1879, till transferred to Lyttelton Gaol on 14th November, 1882. A short time after he was in the Dunedin Gaol, Mr Caldwell sent for him and asked if he would give evidence in the warder’s favour when prisoners were brought before the Justices. If he assisted warders it would be made all right for him. He was employed as wardsman in the old gaol after he had been in the gaol eight or nine months. Warder Crihman pressed a lar"e key behind a Maori’s ear, and the Maori fell with blood spouting

from his nose and ears. The matter was reported, and Ca’dwell sent for him and asked him if he had seen what Wader Cashman had done. He said he had, and told him what had been done. Caldwell said the case was to be tried before Mr Watt, and Caldwell asked if he would give evidence. He said if he were put onoath he would slate the truth. Caldwell brought the matter before Messrs Logan and Brown, who were the ordinary Visiting Justices. He was locked up in No. 1 cell while the enquiry was being held. The next occasion was when Cummock received an additional sentence, of I t days for giving the Maori a piece of bread. He explained to the Justices that it was the result of malice, but they ."orfeited 112 marks as he had been grdty of a prison offence. He was again before the Justices five or six months afterwards “ charged with being too quiet,” Mr Caldwell asserting to the Magistrates that he was contemplating escape. In .Dunedin Gaol the matter was not entered in the prison book. He was brought up on many charges not entered in the defaulters’ books. In answer to Mr Solomon, he said the book was read to him by Mr Caldwell, and many charges were not entered. Statement resumed—He did not remember any charge on which he was directly punished, but he was indirectly. He was not allo\yed to bring forward witnesses. On the 25th February, 1882, ho was brought before the magistrates charged with attempting to make false statements detrimental to the gaoler. Messrs Logen and Brown heard the charge, and he was severely cautioned, informed that Captain Hume was inspector of Prisons and not of prisoners. That was said by Mr Logan. He was got out of the way on purpose when he asked to see the Inspector of of Prisons. He asked Captain Hume if he would allow him a private interview, but Captain Humesaid Mr Caldwell would have to be present. He then asked to be transferred to another prison, for which he gave family reasons, and said he did not consider it right for him to be there. Caldwell said Cummock was an invalid, and recommended him to be transferred to Auckland. On Saturday, he went before Messre Logan and Brown, and asked to be allowed to petition for transference. Mr Caldwell said he was not ill, and advised the Justice not to allow him to petition for transference, his health being as good as any man’s in the gaol. That afternoon he again asked to be allowed to see Capt. Hume, but the Visiting Justices said they had nothing to do with it. Caldwell also refused him, and ordered him out of the room. He asked the warders, as he was passing through the gaol, to say he was ill. On the Tuesday following he was locked up, as the Inspector of Prisons was in the gaol (that was the lGth of February); was locked in the debtors’ quarters, known as the schoolroom. M’Coll was locked up in the cell with him, who was waiting trial.fUThat was done by Cashman, whom he told he wished to see the Inspector.