The Westport Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1870.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 649, 23 April 1870, Page 2

The Westport Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1870.

An excellent test of the value of prison labor is afforded in Mr Caldwell's report on the Dunedin Gaol. It is there shown that the prisoners have been engaged in the performance of Government works of ati extensive and difficult nature, which have been successfully completed at a much less cost than by the employment of free labor. The clay and rock removed from Bell Hill and deposited in the harbor and other parts of the town by prison labor amount to upwards of 4-0,000 cubic yards, and the value of the work is estimated by the Government Superintendent of Works at £5840 Ss 3d. In the work of deepening the harbor prison labor has also been employed, as the Government found that to dredge with free labor would entail an expenditure, for which it was doubtful if the Council would vote the funds necessary, and the work accomplished in this direction is valued at £IO2O 7s Gd. Other public works performed nearly amount in value to £IOOO. The average number of prisoners stationed at "Westport, as a matter of course, will bear no comparison with Dunedin, at the same time if so much has been accomplished there, it should encourage the Government here to turn to advantage the prison labor at their disposal. "Westport certainly has no hills to level or swamps to reclaim, but in erecting wharves and river protection works any prisoners might be profitably employed.