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The prisoners were employed quarrying, stone-breaking, painting, &c. The prisons at Dunedin and Taiaroa Heads have both been recently painted and whitewashed, and are now in perfect order. Rations and supplies throughout the year have been good. No complaints. The prison chaplains continue to attend to the spiritual welfare of the prisoners, and give assistance to all prisoners that require it on discharge. Thanks are due to the organists. There were two reports against officers during the year—one for neglect of duty and one for being absent without leave. First Offenders' Probation Act. There was 1 on probation on the Ist January, 5 were admitted during the year, 2 were arrested for non-compliance with the conditions of their release, 1 was sentenced to two months' hard labour, 1, owing to age and infirmities, Mr. Justice Williams discharged, 1 was transferred to another district, and 2 were discharged, leaving 1 on probation at the end of the year. J. H. Bratby, Gaoler and Probation Officer. Dumgree Prison. H.M. Prison, Dumgree, 10th January, 1906. I respectfully report that the work of tree-planting at this prison camp has been carried on satisfactorily during past year, as the following statistics will show : — Number of trees planted, 150,525 —viz., larch, 21,000 ; Pinus Austriaca, 100,075 ; Pinus laricio, 28,250 ; acacia, 1,200. Total area planted by prison labour, 104 acres. Number of holes dug for young trees, 130,308. Twelve prisoners with forester employed cleaning ground round young trees planted ; 63 chains of road made on forestry reserve ; 1 officer and 7 prisoners employed during past two months pulling down accommodation-house at Awatere Ford. The health of the prisoners has been good. Three prisoners broke camp on Saturday night, the 30th September. The escape was promptly discovered, and the three were recaptured a few hours afterwards. They were sentenced to four months' hard labour additional, at the Magistrate's Court, Blenheim, on the 10th October. The rations have been of the best quality, and have been regularly supplied. A clergyman attends regularly once a week, giving religious instruction in camp. The zeal and conduct of the officers has been excellent. Number of prisoners in camp, 33. Edward Murphy, Principal Warder and Acting-Gaoler. Hanmer Springs Prison. H.M. Prison, Hanmer Springs, 15th January, 1906. I have the honour to report on the working of this prison for the year ended 31st December, 1905. The prisoners carried out the following work : Dug 203,686 pits for trees ; prepared 53,900 spots for acorns, cleared 62 acres of scrub, chipped 98 chains of fence-line 10 ft. wide and 347 chains of fire-break 10 ft. wide, constructed 9 seed-protecting frames, erected a tool and implement shed, and planted the following varieties of trees : P. austriaca, 15,100 ; P. ponderosa, 7,175 ; Larix europea, 10,600 ; Betula alba, 825 ; Alrms glutinosa, 2,300 ; Picea excelsa, 10,000 ; Fraxinus excelsior, 6,000 ; Robinia pseudo-acacia, 725; acorns, 28,360. Total number of trees and acorns, 81,085. Total area cleared and planted to date, 342 and 254 acres respectively. Two escapees, who were afterwards captured, and six other prisoners were transferred to Lyttelton Prison during the year ; of this number two were sent back for medical treatment. With the foregoing exceptions, the health and conduct has been good. The officers have carried out their duties well. A. W. Roberts, Principal Warder and Acting-Gaoler. Hokitika Prison. H.M. Prison, Hokitika, 29th January, 1906. 1 have the honour to submit the annual report of this institution for 1905, and in doing so to state that on the last day of the year the total number of prisoners in custody was 12—viz., 10 males and 2 females. The year was commenced with the same number, all, however, being males. During the past twelve months 42 males and 8 females were received, and for the same period 44 males and 6 females were discharged, leaving the state of the prison at the end of the year as stated above. Seven males were received for trial: 3 were acquitted, and the remainder convicted and sentenced to imprisonment with hard labour —3 at the Supreme Court here, and lat the District Court, Westport. Of the 11 males received on lemand, 7 were suffering from alcoholism and were admitted for curative treatment. All paid the medical costs, &c, where ordered, save one, who was imprisoned for a short term in default. Fourteen, including 5 females, were received sentenced to simple mentThere were no lunatics or debtors committed. Discharges during the year, in addition to the 3 acquitted at Supreme Court, include 6 males on remission of sentence, 26 males and 6 females at expiration of sentence, and 9 males on remand transferred to the police. i' I* The health of prisoners has been excellent. On ten days only during the year was there a prisoner on the sick-list.