Colonial Despatches

I have received your despatch No. 5 of the 9th of February, and I am glad to learn that measures are being adopted to remedy the system of prison discipline in the Jail at Victoria.

But with reference to the Statement in you despatch that you had previously been prevented from want of funds from effecting this object, but that you now feel well assured from the tenor of my despatch of the 5th of October of the assistance of Her Majesty's Government, I feel it necessary distinctly to explain that the interest felt by Her Majesty's Government on this subject does not imply that they are willing to grant any pecuniary aid for this purpose from Imperial funds.