HOKITIKA GAOL.

West Coast Times, Issue 70, 14 November 1865, Page 1 (Supplement)

HOKITIKA GAOL.

Of the few institutions Hokitika can at present lay claim to, those erections of logs and galvanized iron called the Gaol, to be seen on the Camp reserve, in Revell-street, are the only ones on which wo have never commented as requiring improvement. The reason why we have abstained from doing so, is simply that until the past week, no complaints have reached us of their insufficiency ; our criminal calendar considering the heterogenous community assembled on this coast having beon remarkably light. With an increasing population, however, crime has during tho past month also increased, but wo aro thankful in being able to say in a less ratio. Still the increase, slight as it is, unmistakably shows the necessity of enlarging those buildings in which tho transgressors of the law are confined, for however deeply they have erred, it is the duty of tho state whilo rigorously enforcing the penance justly imposed upon them for itheir misdeeds, to be careful they undergo no unnecessary suffering, and to have duo consideration for thoir moral and physical well-being whilst they are so directly under its control. To discharge this obligation faithfully, their physical welfare should be first studied by sufficient provision beingj made for their maintenance during their incarceration, which only can bo effected by a careful classification of offenders under the different heads of crime for which they stand convicted, thus necessitating ample prison room which should be well ventilated and kopt scrupulously clean. From some indirect remarks we heard passed tho other day, concerning tho present state of the Gaol, wo were induced to apply for permission to inspect it, which was at once granted ; and accordingly, accompanied by Sergeant M'Myn, wo made a tour of the cells, or rather compartments, into which it is divided. Of these we found there were four, tho largest of which is only 12 x 10 feet, tho smallest, 12 x 8 feet ; which are classed as follows : Ono for sentenced men (i.c. — those who undergo certain terms of imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for minor offences) ; ono for those who stand over on committal for moro serious charges ; a third is for the confinement of debtors, and the last is made use of as a lock-up. No provision whatever has been made for females, which is so far excusable, inasmuch as the disparity in the numerical proportion of tho sexes has been remarkable, and is still very great on the West Coast. In these four cells wo found thirty-five human beings confined, and out of that number one only was a female, who of course had a cell to herself; so that thirty -four able bodied men were crammed into the remaining three, as under such circumstances very little regard could bo paid to their classification, sentenced and committed men being jumbled up together. Tho larger cells each contained twelve men, and although thero is a window in each, and tho doors were partly open, they smelt fearfully close, which was not to be wondered at considering that the space for each man was only twelve superficial feet or an area of 4 ft x 3 ft, and from this somo idea may bo formed of their overcrowded state. Tho prisoners complained sadly of their sufferings during warm nights when the doors were closed, which wo were not surprised at, as it was evident they must be packed as close as the inmates of a slave ship when they were lying down, and as there is no probability of the number decreasing, but rather the contrary, the number of prisoners having doubled during the last six weeks, we feel suro that unless more accommodation is at once provided tho result will be the appearance of some malignant fever amongst them. Tho stato of tho cells reflects the greatest credit on the police ; they were beautifully clean, and their inmates also, by their appearance gavo palpable though silent testimony to the care and attention of Sergeant M'Myn, who fills tho office of jailor. By him wo were told that the cells wore washed out twice a week with hot water, besides tho daily cleansing with cold, and that whenever tho state of the weatho.t permitted it, tho bedding was taken out to air, tho prisoners also being supplied as often as possible 1 with a chango of clothing, of which just now there is a scarcity. This, however, will shortly bo remedied, as a fresh supply is expected daily from Christchurch. In directing 1 tho attention of tho authorities to this matter we aro actuated by feelings of pity and compassion for our fellow-creatures in misfortune ; for, excepting tho inmates of a hospital, thoso of a gaol aro tho most holpless — and should bo thcreforo accordingly cared for. Wo hope that our call will not be disregarded, but that immediate stops will bo taken, and a now gaol at onco erected, and no timo must bo lost in so doing, for litorally speaking thero is no room for another male in tho establishment, and crimo is still on tho increase