17

A.—2b

If any reduction be made in the sentence of this or any other similarly situated prisoner, I would suggest that it be made so that he could earn remission according to the regulations upon the reduced period, in order not to withdraw the incitement to good conduct and industry : thus, were his sentence reduced to twenty or fifteen years, that he could earn a further reduction of one-fourth. A conditional pardon granted after a service of ten years would be about equivalent to the reduction of a sentence to fifteen years on the terms above mentioned. The advantage to the prisoner indeed would generally be with the latter. Harold Maclean. Principal Under Secretary, B. C. (Enclosures.) Particulars of Conviction and Prison History of Francis Clarke, a Prisoner in Darlinghurst Gaol, petitioning for Eemission of Sentence. Name of Prisoner: Francis Clarke, alias Christie, alias Gardiner. Birthplace and Age: New South Wales; 43. Convicted, where: Sydney Criminal Court. Convicted, when: 4th and Bth July, 1864. Offence: Wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and robbery, being anned—two offences. Sentence: 15 years roads, first two in irons ; 10 years roads, at expiration of first sentence; and 7 years roads at expiration of second sentence (in all, 32 years). Judge: Chief Justice.

Previous Convictions.

* Sick —Sundays and Holidays, 407. Punishments.—None. Darlinghurst Gaol, 21st August, 1872. General conduct in gaol very good, and sets a good example to others in every way. J. C. Eead, Principal Gaoler. Darlinghurst Gaol, 21st August, 1872. Memo.—The prisoner referred to in this petition has been in hospital twice since I took medical charge in 1866 —viz., once for two days for diarrhoea, and once for four days for a bilious attack. He has some degree of enlargement of the heart, rendering him unfit for very hard work (such as working at the loom) ; his appetite is variable, and he does not sleep very well. There is no other organic derangement than that of the heart. Isaac Aaron, Visiting Surgeon. I would like to have from the Principal Gaoler in this case a special report as to the conduct of this prisoner, beyond the character in the printed form. I would further be glad to have Mr. Bead's report on the alleged action of the prisoner on the occasion of the outbreak referred to in the petition, and the value of the service rendered by him in improving the mat-making machinery ; and, on the other hand, the circumstances attending the attempt on behalf of himself and the prisoner Cust to compass an escape by means of friends outside the prison, which occurred early in prisoner's confinement. —H.M., 27th August, 1872. Sir, — Darlinghurst Gaol, Sydney, 31st August, 1872. With reference to statements in the accompanying petition in favour of the prisoner named in the margin,* I do myself the honor to state that the contrivance for improving the selvage of the matting therein alluded to was the invention of the prisoner. It is now in use, and very effective. The matting was certainly wanting in finish until this addition was made to the looms, and many customers complained of its faulty make, and would probably have obtained their supplies elsewhere had not this improvement been introduced. As regards the prisoner's conduct on the occasion of the outbreak, Ist November, 1864,1 must say he did not take any part in that desperate attempt, and, as far as I can learn, discouraged the proceed- * Francis Christie alias Gardiner. 3—A. 2b.

Where. When. Offence. Sentence. .s Francis Clarke, Goulburn Circuit Court... 17th March, 1854 Horse-stealing. 14 years roads. Prison Hit \tory — Marks. Period. Total Orderly. Industrious. Disorderly. Idle. Sick* In the Gaol at — DayB. From To Darlinghurst ... Jan. 1,1866 Aug. 20,1872 2,423 2,423 2,016 407