GAOL CHANGES.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 February 1922, Page 5

GAOL CHANGES.

REMOVAL OF PRISONERS. NEW GAOL AT TOKAANU. Important changes in the constitution of the New Plymouth gaol are shortly to take place. Consideration had recently been given to a proposal to close the gaol entirely, but this proposal has now been rejected. A large proportion of the prisoners at the gaol will, it is understood, shortly be removed to Tokaanu, about 40 miles from Waim'arijio, where they will be employed on a block of land recently acquired by the Government. A party of five prisoners will shortly leave as an advance guard, and the main party will be removed later. It is reported that a different class of prisoner will shortly inhabit the New Plymouth prison, probably of a i less able-bodied type, and for this reason the stone quarry, which for many years has provided the hard labor, will be closed down. It is believed that gardening operations, already -fairly extensive at the prison, will be developed when the new class come into occupation. Mr. J. Downs, the chief gaoler, will be in charge of the new camp at Tokaanu, but will retain the oversight of the New Plymouth gaol with the rank of superintendent. He will proceed to Tokaanu with the first party of prisoners, and will probably remain there, at least for some time.