AGY-2499 | Hay Gaol [I]

Full description

Hay Gaol was proclaimed on 1 December 1870. (1) The oririnal gaol was a lock-up which was used until 21 December, 1880. This first gaol was located on a site which later became the Post Office (2) In 1878 the gaol had two separate and six associated cells. At 31 December, 1878 there was 16 prisoners of whom three were female. Sevcen were on awaiting trial and nine were servining sentences. There had been a total of 192 admissions to the prison during the year. (2) was Whitcombe Brothers built new the gaol between 1879-1880 in a style which was to become known as Hay type gaol. It was procalimed a prison on 21 December 1880. (3) The in creased accommodation provided for four separate cells and 18 associated ones. There had been 173 admissions to the gaol in 1879 (4) In 1882 the gaol had a matron, visiting surgeon, one senior warden, four wardens, a Roman Catholic and Church of England chaplain. The Visiting Justice at this time was Joseph E. Pierce (appointed 14 March 1871), and Gaoler, Ghiblim Everett, (appointed 17 March 1882). (5) On 30 June 1915 the gaol was closed. (6) During this time there were only 3 prisoners in the gaol. (7) In 1919, during the Spanish influenza epidemic, the building was used as a hospital, and between 1921 and 1928, as the Red Cross Maternity Hospital. (8) A gaol was later re-established in the premises on 26 August, 1930. (9) Notes: (1) NSW Government Gazette no. 295, 6 Dec 1870. p2711. (2) Prisons report for 1878 p. 3 in NSW Parliamentary Papers 1879-80 Vol. 2 p. 975 (3) The Witcombe Heritage: A History of the Buildings of Hay, Hay Historical Society p.37 (4) Prisons report for 1879 p. 3 in NSW parliamentary Papers 1880-1881 vol. 2 p. 151 (5) Public Service List 1882 p.87. (6) NSW Government Gazette n117 30 June 1915 p.3738. (7) Votes and Proceedings 1915-1916 v.4 p.44. (8) The Witcombe Heritage p.38. (9) NSW Government Gazette no.121, 29 August 1930 p.3446.