A Singular Lookup.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1580, 29 May 1874, Page 234

A Singular Lookup.

The New Zealand Herald says:—At point Russell there is an old iron turret, which was used in one of the river steamers during the war. It is at the present time is the lock-up' for the district. From its,nature and size it is thoroughly unadapted for the purpose which it is made to serve. Being composed of iron, it affords such small protection from the excessive heat or bitter coldness of the weather, both of which are more severe than in Auckland, that it would be an net of cruelty and barbarity to shut up/a dog in it. But there is no other place for the temporary safe keeping of prisoners, and he who has' broken the human law has towards himself the law of huinanty broken by his incarceration in this instrument of torture. To sympathise with crime may be criminal,.but to desire that a prisoner should have no just cause to complain of the punishment he receives for his offence is reasonable. A proper lock-up should be provided, and that with all possible speed. We understand that some steps have been taken in the matter, and trust -that no delay will occur in the erection of suitable building. The Greymouth Coal Company have now sunk the main shaft in the mine a depth of 26 feet., and the whole of the machinery is now on the way to the ground,