DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, PRISONS BRANCH (REPORT ON), FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st DECEMBER, 1909; ALSO OPERATION OF THE FIRST OFFENDERS' PROBATION ACT, 1908 (REPORT ON), FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st DECEMBER, 1909.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1910 Session I, H-20

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1910. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, PRISONS BRANCH (REPORT ON), FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st DECEMBER, 1909; ALSO OPERATION OF THE FIRST OFFENDERS' PROBATION ACT, 1908 (REPORT ON), FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st DECEMBER, 1909.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The Under-Seoretary to the Hon. the Minister of Justice. S IX) — Department of Justice, Wellington, 28th June, 1910. I have the honour to submit to you the report of the Inspector of Prisons for the year ended the 31st March last, together with the annual prison statistics. There was a slight increase in the number of prisoners received during the year, but not more than might be expected from the natural increase of population. The number of prisoners received who had been previously convicted shows that it is necessary to pay more attention to the reformative side of our prison system. Extracts from the annual reports of the Gaolers are attached hereto. At Auckland the principal works have been the quarrying of road"-metal and the quarrying and dressing of stone for the new wing now in course of construction. The new wing is progressing as quickly as circumstances will permit, but I should be glad to see a more rapid rate of progress, in order to relieve the congestion that arises occasionally. It will be a great relief to all concerned when the old wooden wing can be vacated. Some thirty-odd prisoners are engaged on the defence works at Fort Cautley. I think it will be necessary to erect a separate building for women prisoners, so that the whole of the gaol may be utilised for the men. At Wellington the bulk of the prisoners are engaged in brickmaking at Mount Cook, and on the defence works at Point Halswell. They have also carried out a number of improvements in the gaol, and to the residences attached thereto. At Lyttelton we find an increasing difficulty in providing suitable work. The prisoners are engaged in work for the Borough Council, at the Artillery Barracks, and in the tailoring and bootmaking shops. In the shops, clothes and boots for the various prisons are turned out. lam of opinion" that before long we shall have to consider the question of utilising prison labour at Lvttelton in a more useful and lucrative manner, regard always being had to the necessity of avoiding competition with free labour. At Dunedin we are faced with the same difficulty, as the only work for the prisoners is that at the fort at Taiaroa Heads. Invercargill promises to be one of our most useful gaols. The new building, which was erected almost wholly by prison labour, was opened in February last, and is well adapted for classification purposes It has been planned so that additions may easily be made as required. The market»arden continues to be worked profitably. A concrete-block making plant has been recently purchased and a ready sale is found for the concrete blocks produced. An arrangement has been made with the Borough Council for the reclamation by prison labour of over 2,000 acres of the Waihopai Estuary. This work, which I hope will be commenced shortly, will provide useful and profitable labour 'for the prisoners, and should also be of great benefit to the Borough of Inverarg A number of boys have been sent to Invercargill, and arrangements have been made for advancing their education. There are some interesting remarks on this subject in the report of the Gaoler attached hereto. . , . , . At New Plymouth the prisoners are principally engaged in quarrying road-metal, which is sold to the Borough Council. A few older men work in the garden, which produces an abundant supply of vegetables for the use of the prison. The habitual criminals detained in the reformatory Prison were employed at matmaking for some time; but, as the supply of mats exceeded the demand, these men have been put to work in the quarry in a gang by themselves.

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The Napier Gaol is the worst in New Zealand. It occupies a beautiful site, which could be utilised to much better advantage. It is inconvenient, and in parts insanitary, and there are no proper means of carrying out even a rudimentary system of classification. The only employment available is work in a Corporation quarry, and, as the Corporation only requires a limited amount of metal, and the quarry-yard is limited in extent, the work is carried out neither conveniently nor economically. As soon as accommodation for the present inmates can be found elsewhere, the Napier Gaol should be closed. The land could be cut up and utilised for building-sites, as a small police gaol for short-sentenced offenders would meet all requirements. The Tree-planting Camps. The system of utilising prison labour for tree-planting has now passed beyond the experimental stage, and must be admitted to be a humane and rational method of giving prisoners a chance to alter their mode of life. The work has both a moral and an economic value. Many of our tree-planters do not come back again, while the result of their work is seen in the gradual change that is coming over the face of the country in which their operations are carried on. At the three camps over three and a half million trees were planted during last year, in addition to the general work of preparing the ground, digging pits, new buildings, and additions and alterations. The chief difficulty is to keep the camps up to their strength. Not ©very prisoner is suited for camp-life, where discipline is necessarily not so strict as in town prisons. The prisoners in the camps are to a certain extent on parole, and 1 am pleased to be able to say that the large majority of them fully recognise their responsibility not to take advantage of the extra liberty and privileges accorded to them. A great deal of attention is given to the selection of prisoners for the camps, and many have to be rejected because they cannot be trusted. If we had a sufficient number of suitable men, the planting operations could be considerably extended. Probably the difficulty will be overcome later on by the creation of a different class of camp, where the discipline and supervision will be more rigid than prevails in the present est abl i shments. Police Gaols. Ihere are thirty-four police gaols, in which prisoners may be detained for a period not exceeding thirty days. The gaols at Wanganui and Hokitika which were closed last year have been proclaimed police gaols. A small police gaol is being erected at Greymouth, and when it is completed the gaol at Hokitika will be handed over to the Mental Hospitals Department. I hope that the new building at Gisborne will be completed this year, as the present one is in a very dilapidated condition. Some , very necessary additions and alterations are being carried out at Palmerston North. It has been decided that in future, whenever practicable, prison officers shall be appointed to the charge of police gaols. The practice hitherto has been to give these appointments to police officers, and, as a police-gaolsrship is looked upon as a reward of long service, it is only fair that prison officers should have their turn. Inebriates' Homes. The inebriates' institutions at Pakatoa Island, Auckland, and the Samaritan Home, Christchurch, though not prisons, come under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice, and are referred to here for the sake of convenience. Both these institutions are full at the present time— fifty at Pakatoa, and ten at Christchurch. The Salvation Army, which controls the institution at Pakatoa, is about to erect a large modern building on an adjoining island. I am afraid if. will soon be filled. It seems probable that the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board will close the Samaritan Home, in which case I shall propose that the building (the old Addington Gaol) be converted into a prison for women. When the Habitual Drunkards Act was passed it was not contemplated that a large number of the persons subject to its provisions would be cured of the drinking habit. It was admitted that the plan of sending these unfortunate people to gaol for short periods was a failure ; they simply came out and became derelicts again. It was thought that by sweeping these derelicts off the streets, and placing them in healthy surroundings for at least a year, they would have a chance of reforming themselves. I believe the experiment so far as it has gone has been fairly sucoassful, and I have in my possession a number of letters from ex-inmates, who speak well of the treatment they have received, and of the benefit they have derived from their stay in the Home. At all events, while in the Home they are properly cared for, and, to put it on the lowest ground, it costs less to keep them in a Home than in a gaol. Conclusion. I desire to express my deep sense of the loyal assistance I have received from the Gaolers and officers since I took charge of the administration of the prisons; and I also wish to record my appreciation of the desire they have shown to co-operate in any means to improve the existing prison system. My especial thanks are due to Mr. Kayll, Visiting Adviser to the Prisons, whose ever-ready assistance has been most valuable in dealing with the many complex questions that arise in connection with prison administration, I have, &c, F. Waldegrave, Under-Secretary.

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The Inspector of Prisons to the Under-Secretary for Justice. ym > — . Department of Justice, Prisons Branch, 31st March, 1910. I have the honour to present my first report as Inspector of the Prisons of the Dominion. As & result of reorganization, the administrative functions performed by my predecessor in office were taken over by you, and the duties assigned to me were more exclusively those of visitation and advice. The arrangement has worked very harmoniously and satisfactorily, and has not unduly trenched on the time occupied by my administration of another Department. Upon this date last year, Lieut.-Colonel Hume, in the opening paragraph of his twenty-eighth and last report, said, " I am glad to be able to report that the prisons of the Dominion are being handed over in a satisfactory state of efficiency and discipline." To appreciate fully how gratifying it must have been to him to feel able to write this, one has to consider that during his term of office Colonel Hume had seen the prisons evolve from a comparatively primitive condition, that he had initiated a system, and that when, full of vigour, he retired under the age-limit regulation, there were very few officers in the Department whom he had not himself selected. The late Inspector has bean appointed a Visiting Justice to all the prisons, and therefore the value of his ripe experience will not be lost. It will be interesting as a record for future reference to enumerate the penal establishments, with the number of prisoners, male and female, and the number and rank of the staff in each, at the time of Colonel Hume's retirement. This is done hereunder, and contrasted with the return upon this date, showing among other things the changes incidental to the closing as prisons and proclaiming as police gaols of the establishments at Hokitika and Wanganui.

'risons at Prison Ca; ipsat J M o S 1 I I fl W 3 I t 1 .2 >> 1 I I I I f s « Cβ a, I W 1 O I -g H I On 31st March, 1909 — Prisoners— Male Female 268 18 268 57 18 8 57 14 37 8 .. 2 I J 16 35 14 37 2 119 11 57 5 48 2 32 6 153 17 21 10 [ 857 69 I .. Total 286 65 14 39 i J 16 ! 35 j 286 65 14 39 130 62 50 38 170 J 21 10 926 StaffGaoler Chief Warder Principal and acting principal warders Warders Surgeons Matrons Assistant matrons Officers in charge of police gaols 1 1 4 26 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 .. .. 3 1 1 10 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 I 1. ... .. i 1 .. 1 I 1 1 ] 1 4 : 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 J 1 2 i 1 I 1 l : .'. 9 4 21 1 i 1 26 10 1 1 1 i 1 1 ! 1 2 1 1 3 1 1 15 1 1 1 4 1 1 5 1 1 2 1 1 23 1 1 1 4 ! 6 1 1 1 1 i 3 i .. 1 ' .. 1 J .. 103 9 9 4 27 .".' I 27 I • • Total 35 35 i 18 18 6 7 6 7 23 8 10 6 30 I i 5 ■ 7 I 4 ] 27 186 On 31st March, 1910,— Prisoners — Male Female 279 23 ' j 67 .. 38 9 .. .. 152 J 21 ' 42 18 I .. I .. 860 74 279 j 67 23 I 9 38 140 12 40 2 51 9 18 12 1 Total 302 302 ! 76 76 .. 38 152 60 170 I 21 ! 42 18 13 934 38 42 StaffGaoler Chief Warder Principal and acting principal warders Warders Surgeon Matron Assistant matron Officers in charge of police gaols I f 1 1 3 29 1 1 1 I "I 1 .. 1 1 .. .. 2 .. 1 ! 10 .. 3 1 .. 1 1 .. 1 ; i .. .. _ , 1 I 1 l ! i 3 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 .. ! .. 1 .. J .. 3 11 25 J 2 6 1 .. J .. 1 .. i .. 1 .... ■ 7 4 16 'i ! 1 1 1 .. j 29 10 1 i 1 1 ! 1 i : i I • • 3 1 1 16 1 1 1 4 1 1 5 1 1 > .. J 103 7 7 4 29 .. 29 Total .. 37 J 37 j 17 j 17 .. 7 7 23 8 9 ■ i > 33 3 7 4 29 177 I i

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Visits of inspection have been made without notice by the Hon. the Minister of Justice, by yourself, and by the Visiting Adviser, in addition to those paid by myself. On these occasions i found the prisons uniformly clean, and the cells kept in good order. The dietary is sufficient but monotonous. A larger selection of foodstuffs and a change in the methods of preparation would provide a higher nutrient value at the same, or approximately, the same cost. During the visits opportunity was given to all officers and prisoners to prefer any requests or make any complaints. Every case laid before me was dealt with upon its merits. I was particularly pleased by some genuine requests for educational facilities, which, as far as practicable, were granted. One found, as one expected, that the prisoners, mistaking the root principle of reform, expected at first to gain privileges to which they were in no sense entitled, and it was made plain to them that every privilege had to be earned by consistent good conduct and industry. Following this up there have been a number of requests to be allowed to work overtime in order to gain a larger mark-equivalent. Though we have not been able to make such concessions systematic and generally applicable, the first steps in progress towards a comprehensive scheme have been taken. At the tree-planting camp several men are already working overtime, and thereby establishing habits of industry which must necessarily stand them in good stead upon release, especially as their greatly improved physical condition will render them capable of undertaking any class of unskilled labour. After having had interviews with a large number of criminals, and after exchanging views with responsible officers in the service, one is impelled to a conclusion which supports the experience of those penologists who advocate the principle of the indeterminate sentence. A prisoner knowing that he has a definite sentence to serve under a system of remissions, necessarily limited, has not the same incentive to that continuity of effort, and progressive effort, which is an essential feature in bringing about his own reformation. Generally speaking, continuity of effort is not found in the criminal —in fact, it is the want of it which in many cases accounts for his crime; and therefore imprisonment should be under such conditions as supply a constant stimulus to good behaviour and hard work. To obtain the best or even tolerably good results, the prisoner must serve his sentence with the full consciousness that its duration depends on his own effort. Be it remembered that this requires a great deal of the prisoner—in fact, the very most of which he is capable; but it has the double advantage of shortening the period of imprisonment and qualifying him, both by habit and ability, to earn his livelihood under easier circumstances when he is released. A man who has been imprisoned once is more likely to avoid a second experience when he has appreciated the fact that the conditions for earning an honest living as a free man are much easier than those under which he must earn his release from imprisonment. If a prisoner proves himself incorrigible under this form of discipline, he awards himself a long period of imprisonment; but should he decide to do his best, he will find that the indeterminate sentence is short, sharp, and salutary. The following are the principal additions, alterations, and other structural works which have been carried out in connection with the prisons : — At Auckland a new wing of the stone building is being pushed on, and 1 hope before long to report the removal of the old wooden structures. Good and faithful work is being done by the prisoners. At Invercargill the new prison is in occupation. This for its size is undoubtedly one of the best penal establishments in the Dominion. The construction has been carried out in concrete by prison labour, and reflects great credit upon the Gaoler, Mr. Hawkins, who supervised the work. The accommodation so far provided is a considerable contribution to a scheme which, when completed, will furnish us with a thoroughly up-to-date prison. Each prisoner has a roomy, well-ventilated cell. The prison will be lighted by electricity. At Lyttelton new sanitary arrangements have been completed, and, for the purposes of cleanliness, a hot-water system has been installed. The resulting advantages are obvious. These works were carried out almost entirely by prison labour. At Wellington great improvements are being effected in the lighting and ventilating of the cells. The North Wing, in which the air tended to stagnate, now has an ample current circulating through it. lam glad to note that the prisoners appreciate the change. The quarters occupied by the single officers have been remodelled, provided with a comfortable dormitory and a suitable mess-room; and necessary alterations have been made in some of the cottages occupied by married officers. All the above works were carried out by prison labour. At the tree-planting camps the single-hut principle is being carried out. The type of hut in which four prisoners were accommodated is being completely divided by a central partition into two cells, to accommodate one prisoner in each division. Each of the new huts, a number of which are already in occupation, is designed to accommodate one prisoner. The prisoners themselves appreciate the change, and discipline is rendered more effective. The whole area of land in the neighbourhood of the prison camp at Waipa having been planted, the camp was removed to a secluded and beautiful site on the shores of Lake Rotokakahi. Appended are the usual statistics as heretofore supplied, and an epitome of the statistics contrasting the figures with those of the previous year. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary for Justice, Wellington. Frank Hat. Pbison Statistics. Escapes. —There were 7 escapes during the year, as against 12 in 1908 —viz, 1 at Dunedin, 1 at Hanmer, 1 at Wanganui, 2 at Wellington, 1 at Gisborne Police Gaol, and 1 at Palmerston North Police Gaol. All the escapees were recaptured, with the exception of the one who escaped from Palmerston North Police Gaol.

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Deaths. —Seven deaths occurred in prisons during the year, as against 6 in the previous year —viz., 3 at Auckland, 1 at Hanmer Springs, two at Napier, and 1 at Wanganui. Admissions. —From Table A it will be found that at the commencement of last year there were 823 males and 56 females undergoing detention in the various gaols of the Dominion, while at the close of the year there were 882 males and 68 females —an increase of 59 males and 12 females. During last year 6,020 males and 616 females passed through the different prisons, as against 5,837 males and 554 females in the previous year —an increase of 183 males and 62 females. These numbers represent only 5,588 separate prisoners (5,160 males and 428 females), each occasion on which a prisoner is received being counted; and of the above totals 451 males and 61 females were received twice, 112 males and 17 females three times, 35 males and 11 females four times, 7 males and 7 females five times, 4 males and 4 females six times, 3 males and 2 females seven times, and 2 males eight times. Daily Average. —During the year 1909 the daily average of prisoners in the different gaols of the Dominion was 84845 males and 621 females—an increase on the previous year of 6541 males and a decrease of 779 females. Expenditure. —Details of the expenditure in the various prisons will be found in Table B. Education. —A reference to the educational Table C shows that, out of a total of 6,020 males and 616 females received during the year, 28 males were of superior education, 4,855 males and 533 females were able to read and write, 64 males and 7 females could read only, while 230 males and 22 females could neither read nor write. Offences by Prisoners. —There were 113 offences reported, against 64 separate prisoners. Details are given in Table I. Offences by Officers. —There were 7 reports against subordinate officers, as against 13 during 1908 —viz., Hanmer Springs, 3; Lyttelton, 1; Napier, 2; and Wellington, 1. Habitual Criminals and Offenders. —At the Reformatory Prison at New Plymouth, where the habitual criminals are detained, there were 3 males and 1 female in custody at the beginning of the year. During the year 16 males and 3 females were received, and 4 males discharged, leaving 15 males and 4 females in custody there at the close of the year. First Offenders' Probation Act. Table J shows that 80 persons were placed on probation, as against 133 in 1908. Of these, 23 have so far satisfactorily carried out the terms of their licenses and been discharged, 9 have been rearrested, 2 absconded, 1 was granted permission to leave the Dominion, and 45 still remain under the supervision of the Probation Officers. The amounts ordered to be paid by the various Courts towards the costs of prosecution amount to £291 13s. 3d., of which sum £193 os. 3d. has already been paid. Of the 2,193 persons placed on probation since the passing of the First Offenders' Probation Act, 1886, 1,862 have been discharged after properly carrying out the conditions of their licenses, 131 have been rearrested and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment, 53 absconded, 2 were permitted to leave the Dominion, 1 committed suicide, 4 died, and 140 still remain under the supervision of the Probation Officers. It will therefore be seen that, while a percentage of 8490 have done well and completed their probation, a percentage of only 241 have eluded the vigilance of the police and Probation Officers by absconding.

GAOLERS' REPORTS FOR 1909.

AUCKLAND PRISON. H.M. Prison, Auckland, 23rd January, 1910. I have the honour to submit the annual report on this prison for the year 1909, together with the usual statistics, and returns of expenditure, &c. On the first day of the year under review there were 263 prisoners in custody, inclusive of 24 females. Ihe number received during the year was 1,622 —viz., 1,507 males, 115 females, making a total of 1,885 prisoners dealt with —a greater number than in any previous year. Consequent upon numerous recommittals, the number received represents 1,306 distinct individuals—l,22o males, 86 females. The greatest number of both sexes in custody at one time was 359, the least number 245, and the daily average 30683—males, 28923; females, 176. Discharges during the same period numbered 1,450 males, 118 females, the total number in custody on the 31st December last being 296 and 21 of the respective sexes, or a total of 317. Three female "habitual offenders" and four male "habitual criminals" were transferred to the Reformatory Prison at New Plymouth. Generally speaking, the health of the prisoners has been very good, sickness in the majority of cases being restricted to colds, and ailments not of a serious nature. Eleven males were sent to the General Hospital for treatment during the year :of this number, 3 were returned to the prison cured, the sentences of 3 expired during treatment, 3 died,

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and 2 were still in the institution when the year closed. Touching the three deaths above noted, the usual inquest on the body of each was held, and verdicts of " Death from pulmonary tuberculosis," " natural causes," and " alcoholic poisoning " were returned by the jury in the respective cases, in accordance with the medical testimony. Six males were transferred to the Mental Hospital at Avondale. The meat and other rations supplied by the contractors were of excellent quality, as also were the supplies of other articles and material received for prison use from the various successful tenderers; complaints from prisoners were therefore reduced to the minimum. The conduct of the prisoners generally was very good during the year. Disciplinary punishment for breaches of the regulations was meted out to 18 male prisoners, 16 being charged with minor, and 2 with aggravated prison offences. Prisoners, with a few exceptions, worked well and gave satisfaction. They were employed, as in former years, quarrying and dressing stone for prison-building purposes, &c. Some of the jmncipal building operations and alterations made were—Finishing terrace and area-wall between the new offices and west wing, and building flight of steps leading to boiler-house in basement of south wing; erecting one cottage of six rooms (married officers' quarters) exclusively by prison labour ; removing circular stone stairs under Octagon Tower, covering up well-hole with concrete floor, prison lights, and circular iron ventilators, the whole being supported by steel girders resting on a new-built wall and iron pillars; cutting fresh well-hole abutting on new office wall and erecting new staircase to basement in lieu of circular stairs, and closing in side with masonry and iron plates; removing the old office and orderly-room building to a fresh site to enable the erection of west wing and towers; removing the hard-labour yard boundary-fence and encompassing the building operations with a new palisade; erecting two sanitary timber cells in one of the awaiting-trial yards; excavating for and putting in and completing the foundations of west wing and towers, also a portion of the south wing to the level of ground floors, and laying down concrete flooring over the whole space. Good progress was made with the west wing and towers, the walls of the former being carried to a height of 11 ft. from ground-level, and the latter to a height of 15 ft. from basement. Two courses of stone were laid down on portion of south wing, and one course on both sides of the corridor of west wing. Man)- other small works were carried out, including the erection and fitting-up of a blacksmith's shop in the quarry, lime-washing and painting prison throughout, &c. Prisoners employed in the- shops have done good work at the respective trades, and to my entire satisfaction. Female prisoners have been fully employed as hitherto at laundry and needlework, cleaning, &c. The 30 prisoners stationed at the Fort Cautley Prison throughout the year were employed on the fortifications, erecting new magazine and stores, gun-pits, &c, and have made good headway with the work. A much-appreciated gift of books, some three hundred volumes, was received with thanks from His Worship the Mayor of Newmarket, Ernest Davis, Esq. : this, with an occasional small donation of a similar kind from the friends of prisoners, to whom thanks are also due, mad© a splendid addition to the prison library. There were no reports recorded against the members of the subordinate staff. The Fiest Offenders' Pbobation Act. On the register at this office on the Ist January, 1909, there were 26 probationers—24 males and 2 females. At the local Courts during the year 22 males and 2 females were placed on probation, arid 6 males and 1. female were transferred from other districts, making a total of 57 of both sexes dealt with. For the same period 15 males and 2 females completed their terms satisfactorily; 11 males were transferred to other districts; 3 males for the commission of fresh offences and breaches of the Act, were sentenced to terms of imprisonment; 1 absconded; and 1— his term of probation being a short one —by special permit left the the Dominion with his wife and family. T. R. Pointon, The Under-Secretary for Justice, Wellington. Gaoler and Probation Officer.

DUNEDIN PRISON. H.M. Prison, Dunedin, 14th January, 1910. 1 have the honour to forward annual returns,for this prison for year 1909. I was transferred from the prison at Wanganui, and took charge here on the 9th April, vice Mr. J. H. Bratby, retired in accordance with the Public Service Superannuation Act, 1907. There were 39 males and 7 females in custody at the commencement of the year, 327 males and 63 females were received, and 306 males and 60 females were discharged, leaving 60 males and 10 females in custody at end of year. Of prisoners received, the actual numbers were 285 males and 45 females, 36 males and 11 females having been received twice or more, as shown in remarks, Return No. 1. There has been a considerable diminution in the number of males received, 327, as against 417 last year, a very satsfactory showing. The conduct of prisoners has been good, consequently there has been few punishments, one man only being dealt with by the Visiting Justice for a minor prison offence. One man escaped from Taiaroa Heads Prison in March, but was recaptured soon afterwards, brought before the Supreme Court, and sentenced to twelve months' hard labour, additional to his former sentence.

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Four males and 1 female were sent to the District Hospital immediately after sentence. The prisoners at Taiaroa Heads are employed excavating for Q.F. guns and magazines and other necessary works. In the town prison matmaking is still continued, and employment is found for the men in keeping the prison, grounds, Supreme Court, and police-station in order. The rations supplied by contractors are good, and there have been no complaints. In connection with the delivery of rations, I wish to thank the Harbourmaster and Board at Dunedin for the assistance given by conveying stores and rations, &c, to Taiaroa Heads during the time .the Defence steamer s.s. " Lady Roberts " was undergoing overhaul and repairs. Services were held every Sunday by the Chaplain, Prisoners' Aid Society, and clergymen of the various denominations. First Offenders' Probation Act. There were 4 males on probation at the commencement of the year, 4 males were placed on probation at the Supreme Court, and 2 received on transfer from other districts, making a total of 10 dealt with during the year. Six males were discharged from probation, having satisfactorily performed the conditions of license. One male who had had his license extended last year failed to comply with the terms of his 'probation, and was arrested and sentenced "to four months hard labour. Three males remain on probation at the end of the year. J. C. Soanlon, The Under-Secretary for Justice, Wellington. Gaoler and Probation Officer.

HANMER SPRINGS PRISON. H.M. Prison, Hanmer Springs, 11th January, 1910. I have the honour to report on the working of the prison for the year ending 31st December, 1909. There were in custody at the commencement of the year 24 hard-labour prisoners; received during the year, -SI ; transferred to Lytteltori, 7. One escaped, and was recaptured shortly afterwards. One died in camp, Dr. Little Baldwin and the Matron from the Sanatorium being in attendance. Mr. Day, S.M., held an inquest. The huts have been altered and made into single cells, which is a great improvement. The rations have been of good quality and regularly supplied. The work consisted of clearing scrub, planting trees, and general maintenance of the plantation. Following is a summary of the year's work: Area cleared, 309 acres; grubbing, stumping, and gorse-cutting, 70 acres; filling in. blanks, 8,500 alder and 8,500 birch—total, 17,000 trees; pits dug, 158,568; trees planted—l2B,6oo Laricio, 54,000 Menziesii, 18,215 ponderom, 217,750 larch, 204,205 Douglassii, 118,256 Muricata— total 841,076, grand total 858,076 trees. J. Down, Principal Warder, The Under-Secretary for Justice, Wellington. Acting-Gaoler.

INVERCARGILL PRISON. H.M. Prison, Invercargill, 30th March, 1910. I have the honour to report on the working of this prison for the year ended 31st December, 1909. In custody on the Ist January, 1909, 28 males and no females; received during the year, 82 males and 7 females; making a total of 110 males and 7 females dealt with during the year, being 9 males less and 3 females more than for 1908. Discharged during the year, 74 males and 7 females ; leaving in confinement at the end of the jrear 36 males. There were no reports against officers during the year, all having carried out their duties satisfactorily. Three male lunatics were received during the year, also 2 males suffering from the effects of drink ; but, owing to the very satisfactory arrangements made here for dealing with such cases, all were removed to the Public Hospital for curative treatment. This humane method of dealing with such cases continues to work most satisfactorily. The rations supplied by the contractor have been very good; consequently there has been an entire absence of complaints. The conduct of the prisoners has been uniformly good, only 6 prisoners having been punished for minor breaches of the prison regulations. The prisoners have been employed during the year preparing material for and building the new prison, also in levelling the site and getting the grounds into order. The building of an officers' residence has also been completed, and the residence is now occupied. The new prison is almost completed, and will be ready for occupation soon. The building has been constructed almost entirely by prison labour, and under the supervision of prison

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officers. The building is quite up to date, and will compare more than favourably with any other prison in the Dominion, and, with the alterations and improvements introduced into its construction by the present administration, should afford a splendid opportunity for giving effect to reformative methods of treatment. It would certainly have been quite impossible to give effect to such methods in the old prison, which is quite unsuited for such purposes, besides being in such a state of decay that it would not have stood much longer, and was fast becoming unsafe. Negotiations are at present proceeding between the Prisons Department and the Borough Council with a view to utilising prison labour in reclaiming a portion of the estuary to the extent of 2,250 acres, the Borough Council to find all plant and materials required, the Prisons Department on their part to provide all the necessary labour, and, on completion of the work, to receive an area of 650 acres immediately opposite the new prison, the same to be in one block. During the year a concrete-block making plant has been installed, and orders are already coming in freely. This will prove a very profitable industrj?, and provide a means of employment for boys. I hope that before long a cement-pipe making plant will be added to this industry. The Public Works and Railway Departments could easily use the whole of the output. A railway siding on the Gaol Reserve provides the means of bringing in the raw material, and also taking away for distribution the finished product without entailing the expenditure of a single penny outside the Departments concerned, and at the same time providing a means of employing a considerable number of youths at useful and remunerative work. Market-gardening operations have been continued during the year, but I very much regret that, owing to the new building requiring almost the whole of the labour at my disposal, I was unable to give this very important branch of industry the attention it deserved. The fact, however, remains that vegetables actually produced and sold amounted to a cash value of £275, the sum of £222 having been paid into the Public Account, with a balance of £53 to be collected, as December is usually our best month. This represents the labour of three boys and one elderly man, none of whom would be able to do a heavy day's work at any other employment. The total expenditure on manure, seeds, and delivery of produce amounted to the sum of £45, thus leaving a net profit of £230 on the year's working. I have always maintained that market-gardening, as providing a means of employment for prisoners, cannot be surpassed, more especially as it provides a healthy means of employment, and also highly remunerative, for a class of prisoners that at any other'form of employment would be of little service. Old men and youths physically incapable of performing a hard day's work can here be employed advantageously, and almost any person can hoe and weed and look after growing crops. By this means, also, men's time which would otherwise be lost is saved, and the danger of physical and moral deterioration consequent upon unsuitable employment is prevented. During the latter part of the year you have been pleased to order the transfer of a number of boys to this prison, with a recommendation that provision be made for their improvement educationally. I have accordingly endeavoured to carry out your instructions, and have established evening classes at which youths are given an opportunity for mental improvement. The experiment, although carried out under difficulties, has proved very the boys have eagerly taken advantage of the opportunity offered for improvement, and a spirit of friendly rivalry as to who should make the most progress has been the result; and, as the youths are given to understand that any act of misconduct will entail their being deprived for a time of the opportunity of attending the classes, this fact has a marked elect, and acts as a restraining influence on, their general behaviour. In this connection I must acknowledge my very great indebtedness to Mr. Kayll, who, when a youth is sent to me, furnishes me with a report outlining in what respect the youth may be deficient, and pointing out the best manner in which the said deficiency may be remedied. ' By this means I can almost at once determine what class of treatment will best meet the case. This work can be extended and carried out under much better conditions when the new prison is occupied. Divine service has been conducted regularly every Sunday by Ministers of the various denominations, assisted by the City Missionary, Mr. McLean, and Mr. James Crawford. Every prisoner is met on discharge by Mr. McLean (who represents the Prisoners' Aid Society). Work is found for every man or woman who wants it, also clothing and board and lodging arranged for where necessary In this respect Mr. McLean is doing a really good work, and both himself and the society are deserving of support. At no time does a prisoner more need assistance and advice than at time of discharge, and many have again lapsed into crime for want of a helping hand. There were 5 males and 1 female on probation at the beginning of the year, and during the year 2 males were placed on probation, all of whom completed the term of their probation satisfactorily I have to thank Inspector Mitchell for his valuable assistance in the matter of obtaining information on which to base my reports, and enabling me to keep m touch with probationers in outlying districts. 1 M. Hawkins, The Under-Secretary for Justice, Wellington. Gaoler and Probation Officer.

LYTTELTON PRISON. H.M. Prison, Lyttelton, 12th January, 1910. 1 took charge of this prison on the 10th April, 1909, on transfer from the prison at Hokitika. There were in custody at the commencement of the year 128 males and 7 females; 522 males and 75 females were received, being a decrease of 49 males and an increase of 7 females on previous

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year, but, as 50 males and 18 females were received more than once, the individuals received were 472 males and 57 females; of those, 7 were declared habitual criminals, making a total of 15 habituals now confined in this prison. One received the death sentence, which was afterwards commuted to hard labour for life. The number of prisoners discharged was 537 males (including one habitual who had served his sentence was transferred to the Reformatory Prison at New Plymouth) and 78 females, leaving 113 males and 4 females in custody at the end of the year. Two youths, aged sixteen and seventeen years respectively, received sentence of one month, but were transferred to Burnham Industrial School a fortnight after conviction. The health of the prisoners has been good, although there has been a daily average of 2 on the sick list. This is accounted for by one being in the District Hospital nearly the whole year: he was removed there before the end of 1908 owing to a diseased leg, which had to be amputated; he was returned to prison at the end of June, but had to be sent back in October to undergo an operation for a tumour on his back. Another, suffering from varicose veins in one of his legs, one of which burst on the works, had also to be removed to the District Hospital for treatment; and both prisoners still remain in that institution. Two others, each sentenced to three months, were sick on admission: one, in the last stage of consumption, was discharged on medical grounds before the expiration of his sentence; the other has bean in the prison hospital since admission. Had it not been for those cases, sickness would have been practically nil. The conduct of the prisoners has been very satisfactory : there were only 8 punishments for the year, as against 42 in the year 1908. The rations supplied by the contractors have been excellent, and these has been an entire absence of complaints by prisoners regarding food. Ihe bread is baked in the prison, and is of excellent quality. A daily average of 39 prisoners has been employed working for the Borough Council, and they have done good work in widening one of the streets where on one side was a deep unsightly gully. This has been filled in, road-metal broken and put on, a footpath formed, and it has now been made one of the best streets in the borough. Other work has been breaking road-metal, quarrying red stone and dressing it, building a band-rotunda, retaining-walls, &c. Another party of prisoners have been employed at Artiller}? Barracks and Ripa Island as required, excavating, building retaining-walls and concrete tanks, widening and metalling roads, and making general improvements. Work has also been done at the West Lyttelton School, building retaining-walls and enlarging the playground. This work can only be done during holidays when the school is closed, but when finished will be a great boon to the school-children. Most of the long-sentence prisoners have been employed in the workshops at tailoring, bootmaking, carpentry, and blacksmith work. In the tailoring branch excellent work has been turned out, officers' uniforms for all prisons in the Dominion being made here, also the bulk of the prisoners' clothing. I should like to see this work—tailoring and bootmaking—extended, and clothing and boots made for other Departments. If this were done more prisoners could be employed and taught trades, as the workshops are in every way suitable. This would not only be more profitable to the Department, but would also be beneficial to the prisoners. The knowledge of a trade would be helpful to them on release, and would afford them a better opportunity of finding employment. Another industry —viz., that of matmaking—has been carried on, and a large number of mats superior to anything of the kind I have yet seen are now on hand. Some of the prisoners take a great interest in this work, and do their best to turn out a first-class article. Early in the year a start was made to connect the prison and warders' cottages with the borough drainage, and to bring in a new and better water-supply. This work has necessarily been slow, some of the drains having to be cut to a great depth, and drilled through hard concrete most of the way. The work, however, is Hearing completion : the sanitary arrangements are now excellent, and a vast improvement on former conditions. A hot-water service for bathing has also .been installed, which is greatly appreciated by the prisoners, especially during the winter months. The officers of the prison as a body have performed their duties very satisfactorily, and have taken a keen interest in their work. While maintaining strict discipline, it is owing to their fair and conscientious treatment, and tact and judgment in dealing with the prisoners placed in their charge, ,that so few have been reported and punished. I need hardly point out that to be thoroughly efficient a prison officer requires years of training and a special aptitude not always met with, and if the reformation of the offenders is to be looked for, too much care cannot be taken in selection of officers to fill vacancies. Those chosen should be men of high moral character, good physique, competent to obtain discipline, and at the same time contribute to the reformation of the prisoners by their good sense, tact, and example. One Assistant Matron was dismissed, and replaced by another, who is giving every satisfaction. The spiritual welfare of the prisoners is well looked after. Clergymen of various denominations visit regularly, and three services are held every Sunday. _ Mr. Smail, evangelist, is indefatigable in his attention, and gives a helping hand to many on discharge. First Offenders' Probation Act. Under this heading I have nothing to report, no one having been placed on probation by the Lyttelton Court during the year. The finder-Secretary for Justice, Wellington, A. W, Ironside, Gaoler,

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NAPIER PRISON. H.M. Prison, Napier, 22nd January, 1910. I have the honour to forward herewith the annual return of this prison for the year ending 31st December, 1909, and to submit the following report. I took charge of the prison on the 14th April, succeeding Mr. M. Flanuery, who retired, after forty-five years' faithful service, on superannuation. At the commencement of the year 42 males and 3 females were in custody. Received during the j'ear, 328 males and 29 females; discharged, 327 males and 28 females; leaving in confinement at the end of the year 43 males and 4 females; the total number thus dealt with being 370 males and 32 females. The health of the prisoners has been good, with the exception of 5 cases, 4 of which were sent to the Hospital for treatment. The conduct of the prisoners has been on the whole satisfactory, 11 cases, against 8 prisoners, being reported for minor breaches of discipline. The Visiting Justice visited the prison regularly during the year. The rations have been good, and gave every satisfaction. The conduct of the officers has been good, with the exception of two men, whose services have been dispensed with. The prisoners are at present employed in the quarries, supplying material to the local bodies for roadmaking. First Offenders' Probation Act. On the Ist January there were 12 males and 1 female reporting themselves; 3 males and 1 female were placed on probation during the year; 1 female was transferred to another district, and 1 male received on transfer; 6 completed their terms of probation; 2 are in default; leaving 9 males still reporting. Alfred Gideon, The Under-Secretary for Justice, Wellington. Gaoler and Probation Officer.

NEW PLYMOUTH. H.M. Prison, New Plymouth, 12th January, 1910. 1 have the honour to forward herewith the annual return for this prison for the }-ear ending 31st December, 1909. I was appointed Gaoler and Manager and took charge here on the 9th April last. There were 42 males and 2 females in custody at the commencement of the }'ear, including 3 habitual criminal males and 1 female. Received during the year, 157 males, including 16 habitual criminals, and 15 females, of whom 3 were habitual criminals. Discharged during the year, 150 males and 11 females, leaving in custody at the end of the year 49 males, including 15 habitual criminals, and 6 females, of whom 4 were habitual criminals. Of the 4 habitual criminal males who were discharged, 2 were liberated unconditionally, and 2 on probation. Employment was found for both of the latter. One is doing well; the other fell into the hands of the police the day he was liberated, and was sentenced to three months for trespass. The health of the prisoners has been good. One man met with an accident, being struck in the eve with a splinter of iron. He was sent to the District Hospital, where, I regret to say, his eye had to be removed. The conduct of the prisoners has been generally good, with the exception of three or four men who conspired to make trouble for the purpose of being removed to another prison. Four of them ware brought up at the Stipendiary Magistrate's Court and punished. The prisoners have been employed removing the hill on the eastern boundary of the Gaol Reserve, cutting down trees on Marsland Hill, and principally in opening up a new quarry. There are now several thousand yards of stone and gravel available, winch is readily saleable at a good price, as this is the only quarry in the district. There has been no complaint about the rations. An abundant supply of vegetables is available in the prison garden. The conduct of the officers has been good. One warder has been appointed from probation. The practice of sending to prison supposed lunatics and persons suffering from delirium tremens still prevails here as elsewhere. Eighteen such cases were received during the year. Fortunately they all recovered. As there is no night watch at this prison, these cases cause considerable anxiety to myself and staff. First Offenders' Probation Act. There were 4 males on probation at the commencement of the year. Two males completed their term. One male and 1 female were placed on probation during the year, leaving 3 males and 1 female on the register. All are carrying out the terms of their licenses. J. Cotle, Gaoler, Manager, and Probation Officer. The Under-Secretary for Justice, Wellington.

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WAIOTAPU PRISON. H.M. Prison, Waiotapu, 24th January, 1910. I have the honour to report on the working of this prison during the year 1909. In custody on the Ist January, 51 males; received during the year, 56; discharged on remission, 35; transferred to other prisons, 25; in custody at the end of the year, 47. Mr. R. W. Dyer, S.M., was appointed a Visiting Justice. Two prisoners were attended by the doctor during the year; other minor cases of sickness were treated in camp. Several prisoners who refused to work were transferred to Auckland. Three officers ware transferred to, and 2 received from, other prisons, and 1 probationer appointed. Work was commenced on the building of twenty-seven new single huts, and these will be ready for occupation in the near future. Summary of work done: Area cleared, 1,245 acres; pits dug, 2,721,500; trees planted— Larico europea 1,917,800, Pinus Benthamiana 59,500, Pinus Douglas&ii 50,000, redwood 16,950, Pinus Laricio 372,200, Pinus strobus 36,975, blanks replanted 226,100 —total, 2,679,525 —total planted since 1901, 11,484,084; total area cleared, 5,586| acres. A. W. Roberts, The Uuder-Secretary for Justice, Wellington. Acting-Gaoler.

WAI PA VALLEY PRISON. H.M. Prison, Waipa Valley, 19th January, 1910. I havk the honour to report herewith on the working of this prison for the year ended 31st December, 1909. In custody on the Ist January, 23 males; 14 males were received during the year; leaving in confinement at the end of the year 18 males ; the average number in custody being 205. The prisoners were transferred from the old to the new camp on the Ist July, and have since been employed on the new area. The rations have been of good quality. The general health and conduct of prisoners has been good. The conduct of the officers has been good. Summary of work done for the year: Clearing for tree-planting, 266 acres; formation of roads 130 chains, and firebreaks 143 "chains; levelling site and erecting buildings, &c., for new camp; pitting, 5,750; planting, 5,575 redwood; and general maintenance of plantation. T. H. Motnihan, The Under-Secretary for Justice, Wellington. Acting-Gaoler.

WELLINGTON PRISON. H.M. Prison, Wellington, 13th January, 1910. I have the honour to report as follows on the working of the prison during year 1909. I was appointed Gaoler to this prison on the Ist April last, and commenced my duties here as Gaoler on the 7th of the same month. There were in custody on the Ist January, 1909, 156 males and 10 females—total, 166. The number of prisoners received during the year was 1,057 males and 199 females— total, 1,256; which numbers represent 806 males and 104 females individually. Discharges during the year numbered 1 037 moles and 186 females; leaving in custody at the end of the year 176 males and 23 females—total, 199; the daily average being 157-17 males and 16-43 females. ' The health of the prisoners has been good. Three males and 1 female were sent to the hospital. Two of the males were returned to the prison ; the other male and the female were diB^prLTer™e P eSployeS at Mount Cook works brickmaking, and on the defence work. at Point Halswell during the year. . . The several contractors for rations and other supplies have given every satisfaction m their reSpt £^°tC C vear there were 15 males and 3 females punished for various prison offences. There were also 2 escapes during the year, one of them from Point Halswell Prison works, and the other an habitual offender from the Terrace. Both were recaptured and punished. Three prisoners received indeterminate sentences during the year. One officer was reported and fined; otherwise the conduct of the officers has been excellent. I desire to express my appreciation of the support rendered me by all ranks of the present staff since my assuming charge of this prison.

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Since I have taken over charge considerable alterations to this prison have been carried out, as follows: The old separate cells have been pulled down to make more room in the trial yard. An extra room has been fitted up and made into another office, so as to cope with the extra work. Two windows in the new wing have been altered to slide up and down to allow ventilation; also the bars of these two windows have been made into iron gates, so as to make a means of exit in case of fire in the south wing. Until this was done there was no way of getting the prisoners out of the new wing if a fire occurred in the old south wing. The following buildings have been erected since April last: New quarters for the officers, with kitchen and store-room; also new kitchen and store-room for female division. A new receiving and discharging room., and also a division to accommodate eighteen prisoners, has been added to the buildings. Alterations have been carried out in three warders' cottages, several rooms being built on ; others have been renovated. Fiest Offenders' Probation Act. There were 9 males and 1 female on the Probation Register at the beginning of the year. Ten males were admitted to probation during the year. Three males and 1 female were received on transfer from othei districts. Seven males and 1 female were discharged from probation, having completed their term; six males were transferred to other districts; 3 males failed to comply with the conditions of their probation, and were sentenced to terms of imprisonment; 1 male received permission to leave the Dominion : leaving 5 males and 1 female on the register at the end of the year. S. G. Millington, The Under-Secretary for Justice, Wellington. Gaoler and Probation Officer.

Table A. Number of Prisoners in the Dominion, and their Disposal, for the Year ending 31st December, 1909 (counted once every time they were received).

* These prisons are now police gaols.

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State ol the Prisons. Auckland. Dunedin. Hanmer. SHokitika. Lyttelton. j Napier. Waiotapu. Waipa Valley. Wanganui.j Wellington. Gao°s* Totals. Grand Total f ! I i M. F.j In Pbison 1st Januaby. M. F. M. F.l M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F.i M. F. M. F.j M. P.I M. F. M. F. M. F.j Debtors .. .. .. Lunatics For trial, on remand, or in transitu Sentenced to— One year's hard labour and upwards .. Three months' hard labour and upwards Under three months' hard labour Simple imprisonment Habitual criminals in reformatory prison I 24 5 146 11 42 8 23 4 .. 5" ..j 17 3 8 4 7 2 22 .. 2 .. 2 8 1 1 2 1 15 6 2 4 " 5 83 1 I 29 4 8 2 3 5" .. l" .. 14 .. 38 1 15 3 7 .. 1 .. 1 3 1 42 3 43 2 I 51 .. ' •■ 23 r..| 2 .. 6 1 14 ll 1 ..j 12 70 2 52 6 20 a 2 ! •• i 3 1 1 7 1 I 59 6 65 489 181 507 162 261 188 90 5! 95 20 .. i 20 3 14 823 56: 879 i - •• Total 239 24 39 7 1 I 128 7 51 .. 23 1 24 2 1 I ! 156 10! 12 1 24 14 28 Eeceivbd. I 1 ! " Debtors Lunatics For trial, on remand, on transfer, or in transitu Sentenced to— Death One year's hard labour and upwards .. Three months' hard labour and upwards Under three months' hard labour Simple imprisonment Habitual criminals from reformatory prison 18 401 37 3 .. 3 43 .. 2 10 .. I 2 .. 43 6 67 9 6 .. 2 52 4 19 1 125 19 13 18 250 3 6j 71 28 1,212 71 3 31 95 1,297 74" 8 Iβ" J 139" 5 ■• • • I •• 143 14 167 23 764 38 12 3 23 53 174 3 4 14 37j 22 9 10 24 1 1 2 ..| 13 1 13 3 5 3 1 I 35 2 95 16 244 51 6 1 7 16.. 57 8 13 2 208 14 46 1 3 .. 6 .. j 16 3 56 14 .. .. 2 13 9 104 12 58 172 669 13 41 137 2 4 19 588 4 4 18 1 372 621 2,834 52 16 ••I 1 21 393 119 740 312i 3,146 9j 61 3 19 1 393 740 3,146 61 19 •• •• 1 • • ! I ■ • Total 1,507 115 327 63. 31 52 3 82 7| 522 ir> 328 29 156 15 56 * "I 14 179 25 1,057 199 896 31 5,207 562! 5,769 Total for the year .. 1,746 139 66 3 110 7 650 203 27 366 70 55 ;; 370 32 199 17 107 ..: 37 1,213 209 908 32 6,030 618 J 6,648 DlSCHABGED. I t Debtors Lunatics transferred to mental hospitals Acquitted after remand On remission of sentence On expiration of sentence On bail or probation Transferred to other prisons or police Died Executed .. Absconded* .. Committed suicide Beleased from reformatory prison 17 6 338 35 112 10 905 68 22 2 47 3 3 68 20 202 14 1 8 5 46 2l" 18 26 1 1 3 .. 15 1 31 6 2 6 2 1 1 94 5 65 8 326 64 8 .. 4 1 24 1 239 20 1 33 38 65 1 5 3 35" 15" 6 V 1 2 lj 121 18 4 1 66 7 19 6 110 61 753 10 78 2 16 10 157 1 14 .. 19 3 80 2 568 15 11 199 12 69 38 760 406 3,236 51 576 6 1 6 70 40 398 8 32| 70 44 830 446 3,634 54 608 6 8" 1 21 1 49 50" 6 2 9" 2 25 4 •• 1 ! 1 .. 1 1 4 ::[ 1 1 4 1 '■ .. 4 .. # Total In prison at end of year 1,450 118 296 21 306 60 60i 10 30 25 65 1 3 74 7 36 .. 537 78 113 4 327 28 43 4 150 49 11 6 60 47 .. 19 .. 18 I 201 27 2 1,037 ■ 186 176 23 892 16 32 5,148 882 550 68 i 5,698 950 Total for the year 1,746 139 366 70 55 .. 66 3 j 110 7 650 82 370 32 199 17 107 .. 37 203 27 !l,213 209 908 32 6,030 618! 6,648 Greatest number of both sexes at one time Least number of both sexes at one time .. Daily average Prisoners ill forty-eight hours or upwards Prisoners admitted to hospital Daily average on sick-list I 359 245 289-23 17-6 81 2 11 5-12 0-11 74 41 152-82 8-09 11 9! 4 l! 0-03 0-2| 39 14 28-51 I 134 21 6-680-22 37 13 23-56 1 3 2 2 2 0-20 0-33 151 112 124-33 8-82 38 8 3 2 0-13 66 37 44-6 3-6 31 .. 4 .. 008 .. 55 33 39-75 4-25 15 1 1 0-38 0-07 58 31 48-46 53 0-14" 27 16 .. 20-5 .. 60 . .(016 " 37 10-0 1-71 212 153 151-17 16-42 186 29 5 1 1-66 0-28 •• 12-84 0-39 13 lj 848-45 6-21 1 628 23 30 4 10-25 1-12| I 920-55 651 34 11-37 !0-36* * .. 0-11 .. • • •• i

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* These figures are for part of the year only, the prisons having been closed.

Table B. Details of the Expenditure of each Prison for the Year 1909.

Male. Daily Average. Total. St* ™*»»»- Rations of Prisoners, including Tobacco. Fuel, Light, Water, Soap, ! Clothing of Scouring and ! Prisoners, Cleaning, and Bedding, Sanitary i Furniture, &c. Services. Medicines. Gratuities Conveyance to of Prisoners ! Officers on and Discharge. Prisoners. Incidental Expenses. Total. Fernale. Auckland Dunedin Hokitika* Invercargill .. j .. 289-23 : .. [ 52-82 i I .. j 6-68 J i 23-56 ; 17-6' 8 09 0-22 1-0 17-6' 8 09 0-22 1-0 306 83 60-91 6 90 24-56 S 133-15 I 48-20 j 44-0 11-70 173-59 £ s. d. £ s. d. ! £ s. d. 5,998 15 0 229 16 3 j 2,686 5 5 2,963 9 11 101 18 3 i 616 1 400 19 0 9 19 10 99 12 5 954 3 3 J 23 0 6 I 271 8 6 3,637 9 7 J 134 5 8 j 1,303 11 8 1,142 7 10 54 18 6 430 13 8 1,282 1 6 ; 31 6 2 I 593 14 3 338 19 9 I 2 12 0 ;. 161 15 10 4,790 8 1 I 142 12 i 2,381 3 7 £ s. d. I 464 3 1 J 125 14 7 I 40 3 9 J 89 13 6 344 18 10 i £ s. d. 766 15 9 124 1 7 0 8 0 100 1 7 123 14 3 £ s. d. 113 19 5 16 4 6 118 4 3 4 60 19 10 £ s. d. 211 14 6 20 9 6 3 14 46 3 8 100 15 0 £ s. d. 184 4 11 125 16 11 46 19 3 45 4 11 295 18 0 £ f>. d. 201 0 3 81 17 0 25 17 9 81 18 5 156 5 3 £ s. d. 10,846 14 7 4,175 13 3 628 3 0 1,615 17 8 6,157 18 1 Lyttelton .. ; 124-33 8-82 8-82 Napier .. ; 44-60 3 60 3 60 171 5 11 93 4 5 26 10 7 20 5 7 144 10 9 80 15 10 2,164 13 1 New Plymouth .. : 39-75 I 4-25 4-25 157 4 1 75 9 1 44 5 8 54 11 0 144 3 2 142 3 7 2,524 18 6 Wanganui* .. 10-0 j 1-70 1-70 39 11 0 3 14 0 11 17 0 7 11 1 82 2 8 15 13 7 663 16 11 Wellington .. .. I 157-17 J 16-42 16-42 588 12 10 ! 366 19 0 101 9 11 108 16 10 237 6 6 481 16 7 8,099 5 8 i i 21,508 13 11 J 730 9 6 8,544 6 4 Totals i I .. : 748-14 i 61-70 809-84 2,021 7 7 1,654 7 8 380 11 11 573 8 6 1,306 7 1 1,267 0 9 37,887 0 9

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Table C. Education of Prisoners received during the Year 1909.

Table D. Number and Ages of Prisoners received into Gaol during the Year 1909. (Counted once every time they were received.)

* Includes one conviction subsequently quasned.

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Prisons. Superior Education. I Read and write. Read only. Unable to read or write. Totals. Auckland Dunedin Hanmer Springs .. Hokitika .. Inveroargill Lyttelton Napier New Plymouth Waiotapu Waipa Valley Wanganui Wellington Minor gaols M. 4 p. M. 1,418 312 29 48 78 505 301 145 54 8 161 983 843 F. 107 63 3 3 72 28 14 22 191 30 M. 9 6 F. 1 M. 76 9 F. 7 M. 1,507 327 31 52 82 522 328 156 56 14 179 1,057 896 F. 115 63 3 7 75 29 15 25 199 31 2 1 1 "i 2 2 7 3 1 1 15 19 8 4 2 1 1 2 6 2 3 7 1 22 8 4 1 15 49 38 3 4 0 Total 28 4,885 533 61 7 230 22 5,207 562

Ages. Committed for Trial or on Remand. Acquitted or Discharged. Convicted Convicted on Summarily. Indictment. Under Sentence. Total New Receptions of Criminals, Debtors *nd Lunatics. In transitu, or on Transfer Total from Receptions, another Prison. Males. Under 10 years .. .. I 10 years and under 15 years 3 15 years .. .. 3 16 „ .. .. 9 17 „ .. ..I 5 18 „ .. .. i 18 19 „ .. ..19 20 „ .. ... 17 21 years and under 25 years | 104 25 „ „ 30 „ 147 30 „ „ 35 „ 132 35 „ „ 40 „ 118 40 . .45 „ 59 45 „ „ 50 „ 64 50 „ „ 55 „ 56 55 . „ 60 „ 25 60 „ „ 65 „ 26 65 „ „ 70 „ 16 70 „ „ 75 „ 9 75 „ „ 80 „ 2 80 years and upwards .. 5 Not stated 2 1 3 13 15 13 12 8 6 4 2 1 4 1 1 4 2 7 13 11 49 37 290 522 580 430 394 381 310 195 124 88 37 13 6 1 3 12 9 8 12 59 59 57 31 28 20 14 11 o 2 1 1 1 3 12 9 8 12 59 59 57 31 28 20 14 11 2 2 1 1 9 6 19 30 38 77 69 466 743 782 591 489 471 384 233 153 110 47 17 12 1 1 9 ■23 15 16 12 9 14 4 10 1 3 2 1 2 5 2 5 13 52 83 72 31 31 19 18 12 9 4 2 11 6 19 35 40 83 83 527 849 869 638 532 499 416 249 172 115 52 19 13 Totals, Males .. 837 86 3,493 330* 4,746 121 360 5,227 Under 10 years 10 years and under 15 years 1 15 years 16 „ 17 „ .. .. 1 18 . ■ .. .. 1 19 „ .. .. 1 20 „ 21 years and under 25 years 12 25 „ „ 30 „ 10 30 „ „ 35 „ 9 35 „ „ 40 , 6 40 „ „ 45 „ 5 45 „ „ 50 „ 7 50 „ „ 55 „ 4 55 „ „ 60 „ 4 60 „ „ 65 „ 5 65 „ „ 70 „ 3 70 „ „ 75 „ 75 „ „ 80 „ 1 80 years and upwards Not stated Females. 1 i 1 3 1 3 1 2 22 48 67 53 69 84 30 40 7 i 2 22 48 07 53 69 84 30 40 7 8 6 1 2 1 "i 2 6 2 3 2 3 2 3 3 3 3 4 35 63 82 61 77 93 37 4.0 15 11 7 2 1 1 1 4 1 5 1 2 1 3 3 3 4 40 63 83 07 79 95 38 47 16 13 7 2 1 1 2 8 6 1 Totals, Females .. 70 70 4-2 27 54.3 17 564

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Table E. Previously Convicted Prisoners received during the Year 1909.

Table F. Previously Convicted Prisoners for Five Years 1905-9.

Table G. Chimes of Prisoners sentenced to Hard Labour for Twelve Months and upwards during the Year 1909. Assault .. • • • ■ • ■ .. • 1 j Murder .. .. .■• • ■ • 2 Assault with intent to rob .. .. 7 Obscene language .. .. .. .. 1 Assault causing bodily harm .. .. .. 5 Obtaining goods by false pretences .. .. 18 Arson .. .. 1 Perjury 1 Bigamy .. .. • • • • ■ ■ ° Ra P e ••••■■ ■ • • ■ i Breach of Marriage Act .. .. .. 1 Rape, attempted .. .. .. .. 2 Burglary .. ..... .. • • 8 Robbery • - • • • ■ - ■ • • * Carnally knowing .. .. . .. 6 Robbery with violence .. .. .. 6 Conspiring to defraud .. 1 Sheep-stealing .. .. .. • • 2 Coinage Offences .. . ■ • 1 Stealing post letters .. .. .. .. 2 Disobeying maintenance order .. .. 1 Theft not otherwise described .. .. 38 Feloniously receiving .. .. .. •• 9 Theft from the person.. .. .. .. 8 Forgery and uttering .. .. .. .. 32 Theft from the dwelling .. 17 Horse and cattle stealing .. .. .. 4 Unnatural offences .. .. .. "J! Housebreaking, and possessing implements for .. 56 Vagrancy .. .. .. .. 30 Incest .. .. •• •■ ■• ] Wiliul damage .. .. .. .. 1 Indecent assault .. .. .. ..11 Wounding .. .. .. .. .. JIndecent exposure ........ 7 Manslaughter .. .. •• 1 Total .. .. .. ..301

Thrice or oftener. Total. Prisons. Once. Twice. Auckland .. Dunedin Hanmer Springs Hokitika Invercargill Lyttelton . • Napier New Plymouth Waiotapu .. Waipa Valley Wanganui .. Wellington .. Minor gaols M. 162 22 3 7 7 62 44 26 5 2 26 135 42 F. 11 1 3 2 1 3 16 1 M. 105 28 1 1 3 37 51 5 3 1 21 85 83 F. 8 8 1 1 2 1 .3 13 3 M. 422 105 8 12 21 181 115 51 6 2 43 428 105 F. 58 41 2 3 62 15 8 12 135 9 M. 689 155 12 20 31 280 210 82 14 5 90 648 230 p. 77 49 2 5 66 19 10 18 164 13 Totals 543 38 424 40 1,499 345 2,466 423

Year Year. r. Oncfe. Twice. Thrice or oltener. ] . Total. ,905 .906 .907 .908 .909 I M. F. 477 41 585 39 589 33 609 32 543 38 M. 347 382 333 414 424 F. 15 32 40 36 40 i M. P. 1,381 359 1,350 281 1,469 331 1,484 287 1,499 345 M. F. 2,205 415 2,318 352 2,391 404 2,507 355 2,466 423

H.—2o.

Table H. Visits of the Visiting Justices to the Larger Prisons during the Year 1909.

Table I. Punishments for Prison Offences during the Year 1909.

3—H. 20.

17

Prisons and Visiting Jueticei. U I I ■..-.I I a 5 t 1 a I O O i i •2 ° 1 I > O o a> i o H Auckland: Hon. W. Beehan, M.L.C. P. MoGovem J. H. Hannan P. G. Clayton Hon. T. Thompson, M.L.C. T. H. White Dunedin: E. Chisholm J. N. Brown J. Arkle Hokitika. H. L. Michel Invercargill: W. Todd P. G. Stone W. B. Scandrett G. Cruickshank, S.M. Lyttelton: W. W. Collins P. Pender J. A. H, Marciel.. Napier: J. S. Large G. H. Saxby New Plymouth: H. S. Fitzherbert, S.M. .. E. Dockrill H. Weston C. Ahier D. Berry Wanganui: G. Carson E. N. Liffiton .. J. Thain J. H. Keesing Wellington: J. R. Blair E. Arnold J. Lachman T. Dunoan .. .. • A. Hume 4 2 1 2 1 6 1 ] 4 1 1 i 1 1 2 2 1 3 2 5 2 2 1 1 4 1 1 1 1 1 5 5 2 4 2" i 1 3 2 2 4 1 2 1 1 1 1 i 8 3 2 1 i' 4 1 2 2 3 1 2 2 1 3 2 1 1 3 1 5 i' 2 1 2 1 3 4 2 1 2 2 2 2" i 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 4 i' 1 1 2 1 3 4 i 3 1 1 2 1 3 2' 36 5 12 17 3 7 1 9 5 5 7 17 8 2 37 14 24 4 1 2 5 4 3 5 5 5 4 6 6 3 52 1 1 i' 1 2 1 2* 1 2 1 1 2 2 2 i" 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 i i 12 10 5 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 4 3 2 i 1 1 X 3 1 1 7 7 1 1 1 2 3 4 6 3 3 1 3 3 I 8 3 8 6 1 3 1 2 1 1 6 1 1 2 5 4 1 1 1 3 59 18 23 3 1 3 -

No. Offence. Punishment. No. Offence. Punishment. Auoklani PBI! SON. 1 2 Disturbing the quiet of the prison Obscene and insulting language Being in possession of prohibited articles Disobedience 3 days bread and water. Ditto. 17 18 Disobedience and insulting language Ditto 2 days bread and water. Ditto. 3 19 Ditto 1 day bread and water. 2 days bread and water. 1 day bread and water. 3 days bread and water. Ditto. 4 5 6 Insulting and threatening language .Ditto .. .. Fined 42 marks. 20 Obsoene and insulting language Insolence 21 7 8 9 Grossly insulting language .. Obscene and insulting language Threatening behaviour Assaulting a fellow-prisoner 3 days bread and water. Ditto. }: ■ 3 days bread and water, and fined 50 marks. 2 days bread and water, and fined 42 marks. 1 day bread and water, and fined 24 marks. Ditto. 1 day bread and water. 2 days bread and water. 22 23 In possession of prohibited articles Wilful damage to Government property Idleness 21 1 day bread and water. Ditto. 2 days bread and water. Ditto. 3 days bread and water. | To forfeit marks I equal to six f months remission / of sentenqe. ) To forfeit marks I equal to six j months remission I of sentenoe. 10 11 25 26 Disobedience Leaving his work without permission Assaulting a fellow-prisoner Obsoene and insulting language In possession of prohibited articles Wilful damage to cell door Attempting to escape In possession of prohibited articles Damage to cell door Attempting to escape 12 Insulting language 27 28 13 In possession of prohibited articles 29 14 15 Idleness Disturbing the quiet of the prison Idleness 30 31 32 16 33 34

H.—2o

18

Table I — continued. Punishments for Prison Offences during the Year 1909— continued.

! No. Offence. Punishment. No. I No. Punishment. No. Offence. . Punishment. DuNBDlN Prie Prison. 35 deStr ° ying b re a ach d " 36 disturbance and Tconcut using obscene language rent? V u "" uul 37 j Attempted suicide by hanging ' 38 Escaping from lawful ouatody 7 days bread and water, and to forfeit 728 marks Invercargill P ill Pbison. [LL . 39 Obscene and disgusting 3 days bread and 49 language water. 40 Disrespect to his officer .. Ditto. 50 41 Obscene and disgusting „ 51 language j 52 42 Idleness .. A O 89 40 41 4a 4?, 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 49 Insulting language to his I To forfeit 84 marks. officer 50 Ditto .. .. 51 Disobedience of orders .. I „ ; 52 Disobedience of regulations.. To forfeit 42 marks, i and 2 days bread and water. 53 „ .. J To forfeit 84 marks, and 3 days bread and water. 43 . .. .. .. 44 Writing a clandestine letter To forfeit 84 marks. ! 53 45 Damaging prison property .. „ 46 Fighting .. .. .. To forfeit 42 marks, j 47 „ .. .. .. To forfeit 84 marks. 48 Leaving his work without To forfeit 24 marks. permission r>8 Lyttetton Pbi s Pbison. Pbi 54 I Kicking his loaf into gutter i 61 55 ' Being in possession of pro- i j To forfeit 96 marks. 62 hibited articles J 56 ! Refusing to work and using „ 63 obscene language 57 I Obscene language to hie of- 2 days bread and 64 fleer water. 58 j Insolence to his officer .. To forfeit 48 marks. 65 59 I Damaging prison property .. 3 days bread and water. 60 ' Being in possession of pro- Ditto. 66 hibited articles 61 Defacing his cell .. ..3 days bread and water. 62 j Disturbing the quiet of the Ditto. prison 63 Irreverent behaviour at Di- j 2 days bread and vine service water. 64 Refusing to do work ordered ; 65 j Refuting tTmaroh to prison, . To £o ' £eit 7 da y s and threatening officer with mar s ' hammer 66 Idleness., insolence, and dis- To forfeit 42 marks. obedience of orders 61 62 63 64 65 66 Napier Prisi Prison. 67 Holding illicit correspondence | 2 days bread and 73 with a female prisoner water. 68 Insolence to his officer .. 24 hours bread and 74 water. 69 Obscene and insulting 3 days bread and 75 language on the works .. water. 70 Fighting on the works .. Ditto. 76 171 67 68 09 73 Fighting in the exercise-yard 3 days bread and water. • 74 Being in possession of pro- 48 hours bread and hibited articles water. 75 Disobedience of lawful orders 3 days bread and water. 76 Refusing to work .. .. 2 days bread and water. 77 Being in possession of pro- 1 day bread and water. hibited articles 70 71 72 71 „ •. 72 Fighting in the exercise-yard 48 hours bread and 77 water. New Plymouth IUTH Pbison. ri'H 78 I Leaving his work without 24 hours bread and 86 permission water. 79 Being in possession of pro- 3 days bread and hibited articles water. 87 80 Using abusive language .. Ditto. 81 Using obscene and threaten- „ 88 ing language 82 Being in possession of pro- To forfeit 84 marks. hibited articles 89 83 Assaulting a fellow prisoner 3 days bread and water. 90 84 Using obsoene language .. Ditto. 91 86 j Making false charges against 3 weeks close confinehis officers ment and 3 days bread and water. 87 I Writing clandestine letters 3 weeks olose confine- [ makingfalse charges against ment and 3 days his officers on bread and water. 88 Writing a clandestine letter 3 days bread and and causing it to be oon- water. j veyed out of prison 89 J Assaulting a fellow prisoner To be kept separate till further orders. 90 j Disobedience of orders and 3 days bread and resisting his officers water. 91 Attempting to convey articles \ AH privileges to be to a male prisoner [• stopped for one 92 Using abusive language .. ) month. 86 87 88 85 Making false oharges against 3 days bread and his officers water and forfeit 92 84 marks. Wanganui Pr ji Prison. 93 Breaking a window ..(» "o" 94 Obscene language.. .1 cumu i at i ve . 93 94 I

19

H.—2o

Table I — continued. Punishments for Prison Offences during the Year 1909— continued.

Table J. FIRST OFFENDERS' PROBATION ACT, 1908. Ages and Terms of Probation of Offenders placed under the Act during the Year 1909.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; (printing, 1,500 copies), £17 15s.

By Authority: John Maokay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9l.o,

Price 9d.

No. I Offence. j' Punishment. _ I L No. j Offence. Punishment J] !__ Welmngtc on Prison. 95 96 97 I 98 99 100 101 L02 L03 J I L04 J 95 96 97 98 99 100 01 Assaulting a fellow-prisoner Idleness and refusing to work Escaping from lawful oustody Making away with prison property Insulting language to his officer Assaulting a fellow-prisoner Damaging prison property .. Assaulting a fellow-prisoner Threatening behaviour and i disturbing the quiet of the I prison Disobedience of orders and '. using obscene language 2 days bread and water. Ditto. 1 year hard labour. 14 days confinement in a light cell, and fined six months' marks. 2 days bread and water. Ditto. 1 day bread and water. 2 days bread and water. 3 days bread and water. Ditto. ll 105 ! Assaulting a fellow-prisoner \ 4 days' marks to be 106 j Being in possession of a pro- !• stopped on both hibited article J oharges. 107 Using obscene language to his officer 3 days bread and 108 Idleness and using profane water. language to his officer 109 I Using profane language and 2 days bread and ; insolence to his officer j water. 110 j Refusing to work J 3 days bread and water. 111 Escaping from lawful custody | To forfeit remission on 6 months' senI tence. j 112 I Assaulting a fellow-prisoner 3 days bread and water. I 113 Being in possession of pro- To lose 14 days' hibited article marks. i! .02 .08 .04

Ages. Four lonths and; under. I Six Months. Twelve Months. Fifteen Months. Eighteen MonthB. Two Three „ . , Years. Years. TotaI - From 10 to 15 years , 15 „ 20 „ „ 20 „ 25 „ „ 25 „ 30 „ „ 30 „ 40 „ „ 40 „ 50 „ „ 50 „ 60 „ 60 years and upwards j 2 3 1 3 4 16 4 ; 8 3 3 3 i 4 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 4 4 3 2 1 1 1 ! I 29 19 10 13 6 2 1 I •• Totals 9 17 34 15 1 80