NAPIER JAIL.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1919, Page 1

NAPIER JAIL.

WHAT AN INSPECTION SHOWED,

NAPIER, Aug 22,

A representative of the Press to-day obtained permission to make an inspection of the Napier Jail from the chief inspector of prisons (Mr C. Matthews). The reporter found that the whole establishment was in a most clean condition—as clean probably as any hotel or boarding-house in the Dominion. Everything was in “apple-pie” order and rejected the greatest credit on those whose duty it is to keep the institution in order. The building is old certainly, but the timber is all sound and no possible exception could be taken to any portion of the building or any of the arrangements. Mr Scanlon, the jailer accompanied the reporter over the premises, and Messrs J. V. Brown, M.P., and Mr MMurray (town clerk), both of whom are justices of the peace, were present without notification. Every part of the jail was visited and nothing was found that could possibly be construed into supporting such statements as have recently been made by the Rev. J. K. Asher.

AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT.

CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 23

In regard to the charges against the Napier prison made by Mr 11. D. Martin at the Council of Churches last night, the following official, information has been received from Wellington:—“Napier prison is used only for short-sen-tenced prisoners, and the average number there is 1(5 or 17. The building is old, hut thoroughly satisfactory, and sanitary. It is constantly visited by visiting justices and others, and there has been no single complaint in any case. The property has been sold to the Napier Borough Council, which takes possession in April next.”