A.—2b.

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and the similar treatment proposed for prisoners under sentences above fifteen years and for life, and of those of fifteen years and above ten, is, as observed, inconsistent with the principle laid down in paragraph 9 of lessening the periods of reduction according to the lesser duration of the sentences. My recommendations were originally framed making the service required from division (2) xVths and Taths ; but this proposition I was obliged to abandon, because, following on the plan by a still further reduced commutation to the ten years men, there would be nothing material left to them beyond the existing regulations. The ten years and from ten to fifteen years men form tho main—almost the whole —body under consideration. The principle on which my recommendations are based is carried out in their case ; but, for the reasons above given, cannot be applied to sentences above fifteen years, without making a larger diminution in such cases than seems to be desirable, it being borne in mind that such sentences indicate either magnitude or frequency of crime. The distinction between divisions (1) and (2) should, excepting as regards life sentences counting for thirty years, have been omitted in my report. H. McL. sth June, 1873. His Excellency.—H. P., 4/7/73. I think, with this amendment, the cases of the prisoners referred to might be dealt with in the general manner recommended by the Sheriff, each case being submitted with a separate report from the Sheriff as to whether there are any circumstances in connection with it which render it undesirable to apply to it the general regulations in the accompanying letter of the 21st January. H. P., 10/7/73. H. E., 5/7/73. * Pencilled Note by His Excellency the Governor. —This is apparently the same as (1), and therefore inconsistent with the recommendation in par. 9.