JUDGE CHAPMAN'S REPORT ON THE LAWRENCE COURTHOUSE AND GAOL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 200, 30 November 1871, Page 5

JUDGE CHAPMAN'S REPORT ON THE LAWRENCE COURTHOUSE AND GAOL.

The following is Mr. Justice Chapman's report on the alterations that will require to be made in the- Lawrence Courthouse and Gaol prior to the holding of the Supreme Court in Lawrence :—: —

Supreme Court Chambers, Dunedin, 15tli April, 1871.

Sir,— On the 23rd of March last, I proceeded to Lawrence, and inspected the Courthouse and' Gaol, with a view to their respective fitness for the requirements of.. a Circuit Court there. The Courthouse is small but convenient, and well constructed, and I am of opinion that it -can be rendered suitable for trials by January with very moderate alterations, and at & triflnv* expense. Mr. Titchener, the Gaoler, has furnished me with a plan, now enclosed, which will illustrate the alterations which I am about to suggest. The room marked Bis that of the Magistrate and Warden ; that marked Cis the Clerk's room. I propose that the wall between the Clerk's room and the Court should be broken through and arched, so as to make room for the jury box— the first row of six jurors to project into the Court, and the back row into the Clerk's room, which will be sufficient for a retiring room f>r the jury, and a new Clerk's room can be erected at tlie back of the Court, where there are no windows to be interfered with. I have marked in red ink on the plan proposed position of the jury box, subject, of course, to modifications which the architect may deem necessary. The Clerk's room may be so placed us to suit the convenience of the Magistrate and the public business. Tho gaol, as will be seen, is very small, but is kept in good order, and in a state of perfect cleanliness, so as to reflect credit on the Gaoler. Owing to the faulty character of the bricks used in its construction, the weather has made ravaged on- the exposed side ; and the Gaoler, who is a carpenter and builder by ti'ade, informs me that an expenditure, of about £145 will be necessary to save the building. This is, of course, irrespective of alterations and additions. As to these, five additional. cells will be necessary, and even with them, it may hereafter be necessary to move the long-sentenced men to Dwnedin should the gaol be overcrowded. At present the room Ais used as a day room for prisoners ; B is the ouly cooking room which they have, and C h;ia been flsed as a woman's cell when required, which, however, has not been often. The additional number of prisoners will require a good cooking house, aud then the room B might be used as an office and general room for the warders. As to these alterations, however, it will be necessary to take the opinion of some architect who lias been familiar with the construction of small gaols and similar places of detention. I have merely stated the minimum of increased accommodation which I consider necessary. The alterations I consider a conditional precedent to the proclamation of Lawrence as a circuit town. I may further mention that the Jury List is ample for all purposes, criminal and civil. It contains more than 550 names, and they are chiefly those of permanent residents — farmers, traders, and other permanent settlers in the town and country round. I have the honour to be, Sir, Four obedient servant, H. 0. OhaPmast. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Judicial Branch, Wellington. Memo, from the Hon. Mr. Gisborne in reply —

Send copy of letter to Superintendent of Otago, and ask him to be good enough, if he has no objection, to direct alterations suggested by Judge to be made. Add when Superintendent reports alterations have been made, and proclamation of Circuit at Lawrence will be made. Inform Judge Chapman accordingly. W. GISBOENB. • We have been favoured with the following letter, giving the estimate made by the Colonial Architect of the expenses that would I)o involved by the necessary alterations : — Colonial Architect's Office, November 10th, 1871. J. C. Brown, Esq., M.H.R. Sir, — In compliance with your request, I h<yve estimated certain alterations and additions to the Courthouse and Gaol at Lawrence, as suggested by Mr. Justice Chapman's letter of the 25tli of April, 1871, as per margin, and more particularly sketched in pencil on, the plan submitted herewith. The following are the approximate estimates :—: — Ist. Addition to Court, for Clerk's room £170 0 0 2nrJ. Jury-box and Jury-room ... 37 0 0 3rd. Five new cells and cookingroom 525 0 0 Total £732 0 0 This estimate does not include any repairs to the present Courthouse or Gaol. I have the honour, «£;c, ',' ' „ „. Colbm'al Architect. l .* '* [The plan pf, alterations m-it boaeen at' our office" -t^Bd; "T.T,"] •'