GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 645, 13 July 1876, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

{From a correspondent of the Press.') LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, July 11. According to ihe New Zealand Times, the following business was transacted : THE CENTRAL GAOL. The Hon Captain Fraser moved —‘‘ That in the opinion of this Council it is inexpedient that the erection of the proposed gaol at Taranaki be preceded with until the matter has been farther considered.” Ho characterised the proposed gaol as an intermediate or associated gaol, not a central gaol proper, and he compared it unfavorably with the central gaol of Ireland. It was proposed to build it of timber and corrugated iron, so that there was nothing to prevent prisoners communicating with each other from one end of the building to the other, and he felt no doubt there would occur some serious outbreaks there. He gave the Minister of Justice credit for good intentions generally, but he had no hesitation in saying that in this case the Government were under the powerful and malign influence of Taranaki. Further, be saw no reason why the gaol should be situated at Taranaki. He did not think prison labor should he concentrated there while it might prove so useful elsewhere, Westport to wit. There the labor could be employed in the development of the coal lands still in the hands of the Government.

The Hon Colonel Brett gave his idea of a proper site for a gaol, which should be to a certain extent isolated, and he agreed with much of what had been said by the mover. The Hon Mr Chamberlain would support the motion.

The Hon Mr Waterhouse thought a mistake had been made in not giving the matter sufficient consideration. There should have been the fullest enquiry made before it was attempted to initiate a new and general penal system. They should learn by the experience of other countries, in which way only they could avoid making grave errors. Ha should support the motion in the hope that it would lead to the appointment of a Commission to inquire into the matter further.

The Hon Dr Pollen, in replying, said the mover of the resolution was in error as to the Government having been influenced by pressure from Taranaki in the course they had taken. The site had not been determined on without the largest possible consideration. Two other reserves had previously been made; but on examination they were found to be unsuitable, and finally it was considered, under all circumstances, that the site at Taranaki was the most convenient. Moreover, there was a large work to be undertaken there, the performance of which bad been sanctioned by the General Assembly, and for which onefourth of the land fund of the province had been allocated, He denied that information as to the practice of other countries had not been considered. As to the objection to the character of the material of which the gaol was to be constructed, he said the buildings were not to be built entirely of timber and corrugated iron, part of it was to be composed of concrete. It was a notorious fact that the gaol system of the colony was a disgrace. The impossibility of classification, for instance, had simply been a scandal to the colony. This central gaol would at least give an opportunity of eliminating one class, and also give an opportunity of employing the prisoners on the work to which he bad alluded, namely, the construction of a breakwater. The future would form itself, and in the meantime the Government had taken what they considered the beat means to provide fer the present want. He would not say more, but hoped that the mover, having heard the above explanation, would not press his motion. The Hon Colonel Whitmore pointed out many reasons why the building should not be constructed at Taranaki, and should have been glad to have heard the Colonel Secretary say the Government would delay the erection of the proposed gaol until the arrival of the competent officer from England.

The Hon Captain Fraser replied, saying that unless the Colonial Secretary would give him the assurance that delay would be permitted, he should press the motion. The Hon Dr Pollen said the erection of the gaol was an administrative action, for which the Government were responsible, and he (Dr Pollen) having no authority, was not called upon to give the assurance asked for. On the question being put, the Speaker declared the Noes to have it, and Captain Fraser called for a division, which resulted as follows: Noes Ayea ... f .. 7