MILFORD SOnND PENAL , ESTABLISHMENT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1800, 3 June 1891, Page 5

MILFORD SOUD PENAL ESTABLISHMENT.

Dr William Burke, a medical man of note in South Africa, is at present enjoying a well-earned respite from hia professional duties, and is touring through New Zealand. Dr Burke left his home at Kimberley tome three months ago to become acquainted with the Australias, aod being of a aisjnmi nating and ob-ervant nature, his impressions of New Zealand are worthy of note. The doctor has come to see the sights, and is seeing them most effectually. He had the good fortune to obtain a trip in the Hinemoa on her last round of the South Island, and he is much impressed with what he saw. He is (adds the 'Lyttelton Times') full, also, of admiration for the scenery of the West Coast Sounds, and, although a worldwide traveller, declares there ia nothing to compare with our wonderland for grandeur. In regard to the penal establishment at Milford Soucd, Dr Burke said to one of our staff: "While I consider the experiment quite a feasible one, I am afraid that there are not enough warders there, and the prisoners seem, at" least so I gathered from inquiry, to be almost masters of the situation. From the fact that the governor of the gaol took away thirteen or fourteen of them who were, I understand, almost on the point of mntiny, I am forced to conclude that they are not sufficiency under control. I believe there are some four warders to over forty prisoners, who 6eem to do their work in a very leisurely manner. It is true the work is hard — road - making througTi very heavy bush. There are aho a gaoler and doctor there. The prisoners— indeed, j everybody there— are lodged in corrugated iron houses, and seem to be well treated in regard to their food. There is a good bakery ; we tried some of the bread on the Hinemoa, and found it very good. I had no opportunity of seeing the discontented men who were removed, and the prisoners I did meet seemed quite contented ; in fact, thought their lines had fallen in pleasant places. Some men, I understand, thought it a hardship to be taken there, but seeing their very pleasant surroundings and their apparent comfort I was surprised to hear that there had been any discontent. I consider that the cost of the establishment must be very heavy ; you see it is so far from its supplies. The work could, I should think, be done very much more cheaply by a contractor employing free men."