PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2765, 3 August 1883, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

(Br TEtEGEAPH.) (FBOM OViL OWN COBBESPONDBNT.) WbHiINGTOK, Aug. 2. There i» no Parliamentary news proper tc day beyond what you receive through th Preis Association, except that the rumor o Mr Oliver's coming appointment to (be d«i portfolio gains ground. THE DDNEDIN GAOL ENQUIRY (Br Tbleobaph.) Dunbdin, Aug. 2. At the gaol enquiry to-day, Captain flumi detailed hit prison experiences. Ho had bcei deputy-governor at. the military prisons al Dartmoor, Portland, and Wormwood Scrub London. The case for Mr Cildwell was then entered on. Ex- Warder Gray said he was in the Dunedin gaol for fire years, till 1880. Fire monthi ago Captain Hume called on him and asked if he knew anything about irregularities He replied that he knew but little, and said he knew of no ill-treatment. He only taw Caldwell me the violence which wa» necai»ary, when b prisoner became obstreperous or impudent. He exprened his preparedness to come forward and give evidence, but the Inspector never troubled him afterwards. Caldwell had favorite warders, but did sot encourage a spy system. Prisoners were never asked to do more than they were able. He never saw the warders drunk on duty. Caldwell was a strict disciplinarian. He saw Rogers boforo his death, but ho made no complaints. On one occasion (Jarre! t being insolent, witness and tho doctor removed him from the office, but used no unnecessary violence. Ho strongly defended Warder Duncan, who carried out his duties systematically. His reporting more prisoners than other warders was readily explained. Duncan's gang compriaed the larrikin mob, who rebelled against work and Duncan's systematic way9. Ex-warder Frederick gavo a denial to Bateman's statement that the latter informed him about Roger's health. He never e.iw Caldwell ill-me prisoners, and never was asked to aot as a spy. Had there been whiitlsrs he mutt have known it. Bateroan'a statement about the conspiracy was also untrue. Cummock and tho ringleaders of the prisoners opposed the Qaoler. He had left the service since he last gave evidence because it apqesred the only dignified position he could take, seeing that another warder preferred a charge against him. He felt his character was not safe, and ho waa glad to leave. He overheard three warders say, " If we all siy the same it will be all right.