DUNEDIN GAOL INQUIRY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXV, Issue 10234, 26 June 1883, Page 2

DUNEDIN GAOL INQUIRY.

(PER UNITED PRE3S-ASSOCIATTON.).-'- - Dunedin, June 25. The gaol iuquhy was continued today. Mr Stout appeared fbr.MrCaldwell, the ex-governor of the gaol, and read the correspondence which had. passed between Mr Caldwell and the Prison Department relative to this inquiry After doing so be submitted that tile members of the Commission were placed in this unfortunate position — They had to consider the action of the Inspector of Prisons, and also of the Minister of Justice, In this case the Minister of Justice was plainly the prosecutor, as he direoted the charges to be' made, and it was unfair to Kesidont Magistrates to hold this inquiry, who were officers of the Minister of Justices Department. The -whole thing, he said, had been got up for political motives to deprive Mr Caldwell of his well earned pension. Furthermore, be would point out from the reports in the newspapers that a quantity of hearsay evidence had been admitted. He did not know at whose request these sittings were open to the Press — he presumed by order of the Minister of Justice. But it was unfair that libellous statements made by prisoners 'should go forth to the public. Mr Curtis, one of the Commissioners, in reply to Mr Stout, pointed out that the inquiry was as to the general management of the prison, and they repudiated altogether the idea that it was merely for the purpose of examining the charges made against Mr Oaldwell individua^y. Captain Hnme also replied to he suggestion that the inquiry ' was got up to deprive Mr Caldwell ! of his salaif. Mr Btout then crossexamined the witnesses who had previously given evidence. The p^soner Morrison, in regard to DrMoffifc, who he stated had beon favoured in gaol, said ho did not know that the prisoner had been sick in gaol, or had had his sentence mitignted in consequence of losing an eye while in gaol. -Morrison also said " I did not say that the men and women wore in the baths together. What I complained of was that there w.is no female baths. I cannot say that thn debtor pribonei-s were improperly treated. The treatment was different." Mr Toviens, Iho gnol ohn plain, was also cross-ex-amined. He made the following statement. " I invited Captain Hume to tea one evening, and he asked ma to uiako a statement with reference to the gaol. lam not quite sure whether he asked me, or whether I volunteered to mako tho statement. This took plaso after Mr Caldwell left the go,ol I think." As to other Questions, ho answered that he had never~writteu a sub lender in a newspaper about the i g<iol. He declined to answer whether ho hud written letters to the Press on the subject, .ami added, "Probably if you asked Air Caldwell the same question ho would deeliuo to .answer it. Perhaps the less said on tho subject of letters to tho Press the better, no would s;i.y this much, tha*-, when he found (is it nvtposu'orl to him most unjust things said in th'i pijiars, ho consi'loro'l it liis duty ■■•.■t p, ni'.'ii (<> |mf; thorn rifchfc in certain f|im:>.f-rB." T'hft inquiry will be resumed to-lllOr'JOW. •' t'fPV<Vinpltirtinn>in Du!l3--uiu, ovulsuco will bj ta'.toii in Christ-Li.'i..i':-.a VVh'!: ■. trr:,iu.'J tli' Giovr.m.i- ■■.■:?.< p y \T* / 1 I .7 l ] IVf .V I .- -.;. ro -...., •■■ l: ■ : -i. I.'.1 .'. £-■ n. „_'•.. •_! ,1-, tho3-i p!r,e?J. 'i