WELLINGTON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVII, Issue 274, 2 December 1882, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(From our own Correspondent.) [By Telegraph.] Friday night. In consequence of the recent frequency of cases of absconding by tbe 'Frisco mail steamers from Auckland, the Government have decided to send to Auckland a detective from each of tbe principal cities, in order that they may attend at the departure of each 'Frisco boat and keep a careful surveillance, as it is presumed that being acquainted with the personal appearance of most person c at their present stations, they would be abls promptly to recognise any defaulter, or debtor, or criminal attempting to bolt. It has been pretty well ascertained that one or iwo recent absconders might easily have been stopped at Auckland, had there been available anybody who could have definitely recognised them, so as to be able to depose to their identity. It is hoped that by having one of the Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin detectives to watcli each boat an efficient check may be imposed, while also the knowledge that the mail steamers will be under such strict surveillance miy act as a deterrent to would-be absconders The detectives removed from Dunedin, Wellington, and Christchurch, will be replaced by members of the force a f present in Auckland. As there are applicants from all parts of the colony for the post of Resident Surgeon at the Wellington Hospital, ib may be of interest if I state the course decided upon by the Government. When the Wellington Corporation advertised for applications the salary was fixed at £350 with rations and residence. The Government have determined to reduce the money payment by £100, and have just issued circulars to ail applicants informing them that the salary will be £250 with rations and residence, and asking if they still desire to be considered candidates. The appointment will be made when sufficient time has been allows! for the answers to be received. With reference to the return of prison punishments which is exciting so much interest I may add to what I have already quoted another glaring instance of what I may call eccentricity. One man was committed for one month for larceny and received successive sentences from the Visiting- ! Justices of (1) 14 days, (2) 14 days, (3). 10 days, (1) 7 days, (5) 7 days. (G) J 4 days, (7) one month, (8) G week?, (9) one month, (10) one month, or nearly 7 months altogether, all for " idleness." His original sentence expired on the 2Gth March, but he actually died in gaol on the 30th August, five months after he should have been released, and even then more than a month of his added sentences had yet to expire. The various Visiting Justices who sentenced him were Messrs J. T. Thompson twice, J. Logan four times, A. O. Strode five times, E. B. Cargill and Captain Fraser each once. Another was sent up for Li days for vagrancy and has not been released till eight months and 13 days after the expiration of the original sentence of a fortnight. His offences comprised idleness, insubordination, and improper language. Another, in for six months for larceny, was detained in gaol 15 months and 16 days or nine months 16 days beyond his sentence. Another, sentenced to six months for larceny, was detained for two years all but | five days, or 17 months and 26 days beyond the expiration of his original sentence. All these were for mere " prison offences " such as those above instanced and all occurred in the Dunedin gaol. There is nothing in the remotest degree approaching this in the other gaols of the colony. Other returns of a highly sensational character may shortly be expected.