The Goulburn Evening Penny Post reported 100 years ago this week: "WAGGA GAOL. INSPECTOR'S STRONG REPORT.

"The sanitary inspector of the Wagga Council recently presented a report with reference to the Wagga Gaol buildings. The report stated that the police residence was not fit for habitation . . . rooms on the first floor could not be used, as bugs had complete possession.

"Continuing, the inspector said of the male quarters of the lock-up: 'The conditions for female quarters are bad enough, but the accommodation for the male sex is disgraceful. These cells are constructed of brick and lined throughout with wood. The length is 12 feet, width six feet, and height 10 feet. There is 720 cubic feet for two persons; not sufficient for one adult. The woodwork in every cell is eaten away with white ants, and you can with pressure of the finger, break through the outer shell of the wooden lining. In these openings, bugs have complete possession and it is impossible to rid the cells of these unhealthy vermin.

"'The light and ventilation is not sufficient and any unfortunate person confined under such conditions must suffer in health as well as suffer from the torture by the vermin. The whole thing is sickening.'

"On the inspector's recommendation, it was decided to urge the authorities to have the insanitary matters rectified as soon as possible."