H.—l4,

1880. NEW ZEALAND.

DEATH OF JOHN WILSON IN INVERCARGILL GAOL (CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO).

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives, Wednesday, 9tk June, 1880. "That there be laid before tlie House all correspondence relating to the treatment and death, and the inquest held on the body, of John Wilson, who was found dead in his cell within Her Majesty's gaol at Inyeroargill."— {Mr. MoCaugTian.)

No. 1. P. K. McCatjghan, Esq., M.H.R., to the Hon. Mr. Rolleston. (Telegram.) Dunedin, 16th April, 1880. John Wilson, prisoner, gaol, Invercargill, found dead in cell sth instant. Circumstances point great neglect part some one. Inquest held, including six prisoners, contrary Statute 1873. Coroner refused evidence to carefully examine treatment. Great public indignation. Bain and self strongly urge fresh inquest; free men according to law. Please instruct. The Hon. the Minister of Justice, Wellington. McCaughan.

No. 2. The Hon. Major Atkinson to P. K. McOaughan, Esq. M.H.R. (Telegram.) Government Buildings, 16th April, 1880. lie prisoner Wilson's death, making inquiries. P. K. McCaughan, Esq., M.H.R., Invercargill. H. A. Atkinson.

No. 3. The Fndeb-Seceetaet, Department of Justice, to the Resident Magistrate, Invercargill, (Telegram.) Government Buildings, 16th April, 1880. Did prisoners sit as jurors in inquest on prisoner John Wilson, deceased? H. McCulloch, Esq., R.M., Invercargill. R. G. Fountain.

7 No. 4. The Resident Magistrate, Invercargill, to the Hon. the Minister of Justice, Wellington. (Telegram.) Invercargill, 16th April, 1880. Yes ; I was misled by Justice of the Peace, third edition, p. 337, vol. i. Mistake not discovered till inquest over. Inquest proceeding, and full explanation posted to-night. The Hon. the Minister of Justice, Wellington. H. McCulloch, R.M.

No. 5. P. K. McCAuaHAN, Esq., M.H.R., to the Hon. Major Atkinson. (Telegram.) Invercargill, 17th April, 1880. The prisoner was most sadly neglected, if not cruelly treated. Received no medicine, put on half rations, and punished as a malingerer until he was found dead in his cell. The post mortem was ordered to be made by a personal friend of gaol doctor, and there is strong difference of opinion amongst the doctors on the result. Again, Coroner refused to go fully into prisoner's treatment, and had serving on jury six prisoners, whose verdict would be influenced through fear or spleen. Great dissatisfaction and comments. Please direct a fresh inquest, to allay public indignation and suspicion, Hon. Major Atkinson, Wellington. McCaughan,