HOKITIKA GAOL.

West Coast Times, Issue 108, 22 January 1866, Page 3

HOKITIKA GAOL.

to Tim muToit of tiik " wkst coast timix"

Sin, — Now th'.'.t so much talk is occupying 1 the mind of the public — thanks principally to the " Times," — 1 would be" 1 to correct a mis-statement in your Tuesday^ leader, Avhero you state that — " the prisoners had to pray most humbly for even such a measure of' relief as would be afforded by leaving the door of their cell an inch or two open, but strongly chained, to let in a breath of the fresh air during 1 the suffocating nights they were doomed to spend in actual contact with each other." The first part of this statement is quite true; tho humblo prayers have often been repeated, but the concession was never made. Nay,' the sufferings have been greatly increased instead of diminished during the last fortnight, and I think the public (including the judge) ought to know it. No 2 cell (a log hut with twelve or thirteen inmates) was accommodated with a barred airing hole, 12 inches by 10 inches j.but this was considered too much by tho Inspector — ,\vho, I should in fairness to all parlies, mention has always endeavored lo make time nnd pluoe as horriblo as possible, and who never once has deigned to come near the cells to hear the reasonable complaints of the committed men — and an iron grating was put over the ailing hole. It was suggested by one of the prisoners that gau/.c wire would answer all purposes, if the grating was intended to prevent anything surreptitiously being passed into the cell ; but because the proposal came from such a source it was not acted upon. The grating was fastened on, and what is tho result ? Through -1 1 circular holes, each 7-8 of an inch in diameter, or about half an inch square, the air sup'poscd to bo necessary for twelve or thirteen prisoners is kt in ! That is, twelve or thirteen full grown people, sleeping as closely packed as slaves in slave ships, on the boards of a dirty floor, in blankets full of vermin, are permitted during nights of never less than eleven hours, a quantity of air equal to that which would bo admitted by a hole 7 inches x 3 inches, or in all 21 square inches. Besides this thoro are five au<<er holes, one and three-quarter inches each, but too high up to allow a current even on a windy night. Now, I ask is llum not inhuman — is, it not monstrous r The truth of the assertion I beg you will be good enough to ascertain, by visiting the place. IV) go into further copious particulars will be tedious, the case really not wanting any more special pleadings, since all parties agree upon tho just complaints of the grievances. Theie is, however, one item which has as yet never been touched upon. Thoprovidoro receives, I believe, three shillings ( per day for each prisoner. What is supplied for this ? Two pints of thrico boiled tea, 0110 pound of bread, one yiound of meat (including bone, sometimes fully six ounces), and potatoes of so miserable a quality that never half of them are consumed. ' Considering that water, wood, and labor, are. supplied free, I think that drinkable tea and eatable potatoes might be supplied.

On on average, you may reckon that of all the men, who have been confined hero more than three months, one-halt' have materially injured their health, .seven eighth parts received the itch and other skin diseases, and till of them been more or less ill during confinement, add to which that the private clothing of every inmate is infected with vermin, I am, Sir, yours, ive., C.vrTivii.

Tho population of Phi is is rapidly overtaking that of London, and has inoroftseil inoio r.i)>ully. It in now over 1,800,000, whereas London miiht still Ijo iiiuU'i- 3,000,000. • Formerly the ditl'erencc botween the capitals was much greater.

L,\i>iK!) Uncivil. — Ahijor Monor.il Orel )iuljlhslics at Washington a ilisoluimitovy : — " Jt apiiufiis ili/il a imnibur of likHoh have boon applying for clork.sliips. and tlio noliuo is to inform ilium Dial ' tlio niililaiy authorities ol° tho department*, uiifoitunatcly, liavo no civil bluings wherein ladies can bo employed.' It is lo bp hoped that a move civilisi'd eoiulilion of Mvivly will hoou exist, when all can cam their Jiving who ko desire,." '