NOTES FEOM WELLINGTON.

Marlborough Express, Volume XVI, Issue 135, 11 June 1881, Page 2

NOTES FEOM WELLINGTON.

By Telegraph. [F)'om our own Correspondent.'] Wellinoton , Jdne 11. Amongst other documents laid on the table m the House yesterday was Captain Hume's report on the gaols. He recommends the ereotion of a large central prison, for males sentenced to penal servitude, to be capable of receiving three hundred. He is much annoyed to find that, on the average, prisoners weigh more on their discharge than on entering a gaol, showing that they are too well treated. He recommends that for all breaches of prison discipline, the prisoners should be fogged with a birch. He disapproves of attempting to educate prisoners m gaol, and would immediately stop the tobacco ration. He advises the dismissal of many of the present prison officials, and the replacing of them by retired naval and military officers, also that the term " gaoler," being undignified, shonld be altered to " Superintendent," or " controller." Such retired officers to have 42 days leave of absence per annum, and all others 14 days. In fact the report is a farago of nonsense from beginning to end, and when discussed m the House is sure to provoke ridicule and anger at having to pay so much for such a production. Mr Fulton is spoken of as the probable seconder of the Address m Eeply.