12 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE BEFORE SELECT COMMITTEE j{ ev sent into any of the prisons, it is the duty of the gaoler of the prison to receive the P. R. Gamble, article, and in my absence to compare it with the pattern; on such inspection by ^ J him, he makes a report to me of that fact in writing, and at the end of every six ( 9 M^ ) months, before the grand jury sits, there is a general report made, signed by the gaoler of each prison and by myself, of the quality of all the articles sent in during the preceding six months. Then you think it is almost impossible, that any article which is sent in for the supply of the prisons could, without detection, vary from the pattern?— The in- spection is so minute, that I do think it nearly impossible, for in the article of con- tracts, I have known a person not paid for his contract, because twenty pair of blankets were twelve ounces lighter than they should be. Do you think it possible in the supply of the article of linen, that a sample would be exhibited in the prison, and that the articles supplied for the use of the prison could be of an inferior quality, without such inferiority being instantly detected?— I do not think it possible; I myself might be deceived in the article of linen, but there is a matron in each of the gaols, and I have made it the province of the matron generally to look at the articles, which she would be a better judge of than I am. Have you made any calculations as to the amount and kind of contracts, and the number of contractors in each half year?— I think the amount in each half year is about 1,600/. that only goes to the supply of food and clothes and of blankets; it does not go to building and repairs. As to the amount and kind of contracts, have you made any calculations as to their amount?— I stated the amount to be between fifteen and sixteen hundred pounds; the kind of contracts included in that are food, clothing and bedding; and I think the number of contractors is about thirteen or fourteen. You include soap and coals ?— Soap, coals and straw. Oil?— Yes. Brushes ?— Yes. Herrings?— Yes. There are separate contracts for all those articles ?— Generally, there are sepa- rate contracts for all those articles. And the same check upon each contract ?— Yes, the same check upon each contract; I could show the Committee some of the checks. [ The witness delivered in the same, which was read as follows:] May 1822. " The several articles furnished to the prisons were of the following qualitv, for six months, ending Michaelmas 1822. Articles Bread Milk - Potatoes Blankets - Ticks Sheets Coals Herrings - Oil T - Newgate { j^ G^ f amble} Richmond, { Thos Purdon Smithfield. j. E. Martin." ( Witness) K t F l) li T. Generally very good, indeed, once or twice| of indifferent quality, but changed J Very good at all the prisons - - - - Very good when bought at market, but when' served by contractor, generally had to be changed, and much trouble and inconveni- ence arose - -- -- -- -- Good weight and size ( agreeably to N" 2) at1 which price they are charged; those sent to bridewell, a few ounces light; they were but 20 pair at 12/ 9 and 17/ 6 per Very good - - - - - - - - - good - -- -- Good and most satisfactorily served - - - Good - -- -- -- -- -- - Good - - - - * Contractors. Rickard. Richardson. Glarmon. Dignum. Richardson. Dalton. Do. Do. Hand. Kelevy. Do.