A BUG-INFESTED GAOL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8985, 21 November 1907, Page 3

A BUG-INFESTED GAOL.

WHAT PRISONERS SUFFER IN AUCKLAND. A REPULSIVE STATE OF AFFAIRS. A repulsive state of affairs in connection with prison cells in Auckland is thus related in the Auckland Star on Monday last:—"A young man, who spent last night in the remand cells of Eden, presented a spectacle in Court this morning that spoke volumes of the probable disposition of his time during the night watcKbs. His face was a succession of inflamed hillocks, while, when he

drew up the sleeves of his had he been the victim of scorpions, he could not have presented a much sorrier sight." "Look at him, your Worship," requested his counsel, Mr Hackett, with dramatic fervour. "His body is absolutely eaten alive. I am positively afraid to approach him, he is in such a state. It is a- scandalous business that a man should be put in a place for the night to come out like this. The watch-house ought to be called the bug-house."

Mr Kettle: "'Well, Mr Hackett, if this is as you say it is; an application should be made to the Commissioner 'of Police or to the Inspector or SubInspector, and I have no doubt the matter will be immediately investigated." F Mr Hendry: "I object to the watchhouse being called a bug-house. The young man slept last night at Mount Eden."It was laughingly agreed that Mr 'Hackett should withdraw the charge aga ; nst the watch-house and substitute the gaol. His Worship could hardly credit that the cells could be in such an in-feste-1 state, and turning to the victim inquired seriously if he was sure the bites were not those of mosquitos. Prisoner:"They were certainly not mosquitos." Mr Hackett: "Pretty vindictive mosquitos." Mr Kettle: "Some Auckland mosquitos are vindictive. Are you prepared to submit vourself for examinatsrto the District Health Officer?" he inquired of the prisoner, and was promptly answered in the affirmative. Mr Kettle: "Well, I suggest, Mr Hackett/ that you have him examined by the Health Officer at once. If the Health Officer finds that, what you say is correct, then I have no doubt he will immediately have the cells cleaned. If this sort of thing exists, the sooner it is remedied the better, especially with the summer approaching." Another prisoner, who had passed a lively night at Mount Eden, was then brought in, and added his quota of testimony to the existence of "bugs" at the gaol. "The place is full of bugs," he declared. "There are men there covered with blisters from them." Mr Bloomfield, who was appearing against defendant, sympathised with him in his unfortunate plight. "It seems very shocking indeed that such a state of affairs should exist," he said.

Mr Hendry explained that he was " having the police cells thoroughly disinfected. Now the police cells were of stone, and, therefore, not troubled with bugs, he explained, but where they often got such dirty specimens of humanitty the blankets occasionally became infested with vermin, but every disinfecting pre- . caution was taken in such cases. Mr Hackett and his client then adjourned to the Health Department's .nrernises in search of Dr. Purdy. r= r <Tpon returning Mr Hackett informed JhK Worship that'the doctor had been shocked at the young man's condition. He was found to be worse than was anticipated. "Literally eaten alive," commented Mr Hackett. He further explained that Dr. Purdy had promised to report the matter to his superiors. Being a Government institution it might, however, be a little difficult to obtain an immediate inspection. Mr Kettle suggested that he (Mr Hackett) should make application loathe Health Officer for an inspection so as to see what could be done.