AUS-Tasmania-L Archives

From: "Sue" <>
Subject: Dover Probation Station
Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2005 18:59:27 +1100

Dover - Probation Station

few miles from entrance of Port Esperance, about 7 miles below mouth of Huon
River.

Buildings are of temporary and indifferent description.

Sleeping huts intended to sleep 32 men each - much too crowded if filled to
that extent.

Officers quarters good. Two mess rooms tolerable, are of wood, third under
repair - first class room used as chapel and school. Good cook house and
bakehouse with 2 ovens. Good store for meat, one for flour and general
stores, third for bedding and potatoes.

Three yards separated by good paling - areas are sanded - one belonging to
First class prisoners is too close to Superintendents quarters.

100 separate apartments have commenced - few nearly finished, not many men
at station so work nearly at standstill.

Solitary cells old and built of wood, small and low, 6 additional being
erected.

Hospital detached brick building not ceiled, no cooking place attached so
food prepared in room used by the sick.

28 acres of land at station and 40 acres at Hope Island near entrance of
Port, all under cultivation and good land. Potatoes good, large ample for
men's rations, 78 tons sent to other stations.

Suggested 200 acres good land mile and half from Dover should be cleared and
cultivated, even though heavily timbered, instead of using poorer land near
station.

Timber is good and variety, shell for lime, good clay for bricks - but no
good stone. Water is good from springs and creek.

Medical Officer from Southport attends station - no road by land so visit by
sea. If station to continue need to appoint a Resident Surgeon.

Prisoners when station visited were only 89 in number, divided into 3
classes, 18 men on Hope Island under Assistant Superintendent charge.

Similar advantages to Southport - absence of settlers in area. Retain for
present, found to be tolerable and many books.

Considerable number of passholders, probation having expired waiting to
proceed to Hiring Depots and complained of hardship of detention.

Direct line of land communications with Hobart Town is broken by heavy
timbered country and Huon River across which no regular means of transport.
Must forward prisoners by sea when opportunity arises.





Sue Wyatt



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• Dover Probation Station by "Sue" <>