summoned at " full cock and fixed bayonets," and it was only by the most vociferous threats of a flogging and a week's spell day and night in the stocks, that Mrs. S was coerced,firstinto an armistice, and then into a promise of future good conduct. This old prison afterwards formed portion of the business premises of Messrs. Ashurst and Co., whose counting-house was for years at the junction of William and Flinders Streets, which was long known as "Ashurst Corner." Their store extended backwards, and the gaol building as an old outhouse continued for a time to be used as a place for the deposit of lumber. It was known as the Old Prison, and racy were some ofthe stories detailed concerning it. In January, 1838, there came from Sydney with the appointment of gaoler, a m a n possessed of special fitness for the post—assuredly the " right m a n in the right place." This was Mr. George Wintle, so well known for a series of years in Melbourne. Arriving in Sydney in 1836, he was nominated Superintendent of Hulks there, whence he was transferred to Melbourne. H e was a good disciplinarian, punctual, patient, and persevering, and it was only the continued exercise of such qualities that enabled him to cope effectually with the hazardous responsibility assumed by him. A s the keeper of three gaols in Melbourne, he passed successfully through ordeals undreamed of in the Colonial prisons of to-day, and was superannuated a few years ago, after a lengthened career of usefulness not exceeded in Victoria. In 1839, convicts transported from the Quarter Sessions were retained in the Melbourne gaol until forwarded to Sydney to serve their sentences, but it was always arranged that a brig or schooner was ready to start with them a day or two after the close of each sitting. These "dens" were sometimes so crammed as to resemble the famous " Black Hole " of Calcutta, but the life was always tough in the Port Phillip prisoners, so that, though the " scrooging" in the early gaols often approached, it never went so far as, actual smothering. In April, 1839, there were fifty prisoners " d o n e " almost to death in one of these kennels, which so stirred the insensibility of the sleeping powers in Sydney, that a new gaol was sanctioned, and tenders were called for its erection. A site for the new gaol was chosen in Collins Street West, a short distance from King Street, on the North side, where the extensive wholesale stationery warehouse of Sands and M'Dougall m a y be n o w seen. T h e plan and specification of the structure, though prepared in the office of the Colonial Architect in Sydney, reflected but small credit upon the professional ability of that establishment. It was a brick-built, shinglecovered, rough-and-tumble sort of an affair, subdivided into three apartments, with two small cells for solitary confinement; and such an annexe as a surrounding wall was not even thought necessary. T w o huts in the vicinity served for a military guard-room and quarters for the keeper. It was opened for the reception of prisoners early in 1840, and on the last day ofthe preceding year the number on the books was—awaiting trial for murder 2, other felonies 9, assault and rescue 4, with 11 aboriginals detained for various minor offences. W h e n the Supreme Court was introduced in April, 1841, provision was necessary for persons imprisoned for debt. T o cram them into what would soon be too small for its quota of criminals was not to be thought of; but Judge Willis obviated the difficulty by proclaiming a certain area of the town, wherein debtors might remain at large, upon entering into specified recognizances not to leave until duly released. If these " Rules-men " bolted, the bail-bonds would be estreated. "THE RULES."
It may not be uninteresting, at this distant period, to reproduce this Order of the Court- the first and only one of the kind ever m a d e in Victoria :— " T h e Rules of the Debtor's Prison in Melbourne shall be comprised within the bounds following, that is to say, all that part of Collins Street which lies between Spencer Street and the North-East side of William Street, so much of William Street as lies between Collins Street and the North-West side of Little Collins Street, so m u c h of Little Collins Street as lies between William Street and the North-East side of Queen Street, so much of Queen Street as lies between Little Collins Street and the North-West side of Lonsdale Street, so much of Lonsdale Street as lies between Queen Street and the SouthW e s t side of Spencer Street, and that part of Spencer Street which lies between Lonsdale Street and the South-East side of Collins Street, together with the area comprised within, and bounded by the portions of streets aforesaid ; and all houses (except as hereinatter is excepted) on each side thereof—Provided that all taverns, victualling houses, ale houses, or houses licensed to sell spirituous liquors, houses of public entertainment, and also all disorderly houses, and houses of ill-fame shall be excluded out of, and form no part of the said Rules."
