THE CHIEF CONSTABLE’S REPORT. 

     This report was read by the CLERK at the table, and was as follows:— 

"Chief Constable’s Office, Winchester,
"31st December, 1855.
     "Sir,— I have the honour to lay before you the usual returns of persons apprehended by the constabulary, as also those summoned during the past quarter.
"My attention has been directed by the magistrates residing in the neighbourhood of Gosport to the state of the cells in the police station in that town. These cells, which formed part of the old Bridewell, have stone floors, no glass in the windows, and no warming apparatus; they are, therefore, in their present state, not fit for the reception of remanded prisoners during inclement weather. In consequence of a recent statute (the Criminal Justice Act), under which criminals are frequently remanded to the cells of police stations for the space of a fortnight or three weeks, the present accommodation is, in many cases, unsuitable and insufficient. In all the stations built by the county the cells are excellent, and well suited for the reception of prisoners thus remanded; but where the station is hired, as at Basingstoke, Droxford, New Forest, Petersfield, and Southampton, and the accommodation extremely limited, it would perhaps be desirable that prisoners should not be remanded for a greater period than three days. I have the honour to request your authority for the appointment of a Superintendent, in the place of a Sergeant, to take charge of the force at Aldershott. Up to a recent period the police at the camp were under the orders of the Superintendent of the Odiham Division. It was, however, found that the Superintendent’s time was so completely occupied in the duties of the camp, as to prevent his devoting the necessary attentions to the state of his division.
"I have the honour to be, Sir, &c., &c., &c.
"WM. C. HARRIS,
" Chief Constable of Hampshire."

     The complaint as to the cells at Gosport was ordered to be referred to the Committee of Public Works, and the report was then adopted. 

     After the transaction of some other formal business, the Court adjourned till Tuesday.