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examination. The Prison Surgeon, considering that he was not a fit subject for prison, ordered his removal to the Hospital, from which place, after a few days' treatment, he was committed to the Mental Hospital. Of the females received, 3 were of the old-offender type, who make prison their home; one was a lunatic awaiting removal to the asylum ; and the other 2 were, I regret to say, young girls—one seventeen the other nineteen years of age ; they had been decoyed away from service by two unprincipled scoundrels, with whom they are charged with housebreaking. The girls were eventually acquitted at the Stipendiary Magistrate's Court. A word of praise is due to the Lady Visitor to the Prison for her kindness and assistance to these unfortunate girls, both in the prison and on their release. The conduct of the prisoners has been good, there being only one occasion in which it was necessary to refer to the Visiting Justices. Several minor offenders were dealt with by stopping their tobacco, a practice which I find has a most salutary effect. The rations and various supplies to the prison for the year have been of excellent quality. The prisoners have been employed at Western Park making terraces, paths, &c. The amount of work done, and the very excellent manner it has been carried out, reflect credit both on the officers in charge and the prisoners. Marsland Hill and the Police Reserve has also been kept in order. The old wooden walls separating the male and female division—one of which has been blown down —should be replaced with either stone or concrete. Nothing so far has been done towards connecting the prison with the borough drainage, although the Public Works Department have had the matter in hand for some time. That this work should be completed is most urgent, for after a few hours' rain the main exercise yard is ankle-deep in water, and to concrete or asphalt them before- the drains are put down would be waste of money and labour. I trust that something will be done to remedy the existing state of affairs before the coming winter. The conduct of the officers throughout the year has been excellent. There was one promotion and one appointment during the year, a matron being appointed to replace the late matron, who, I regret to say, died in August last. First Offenders' Probation Act. There was only one admitted to probation during the year, and he was immediately rearrested on another charge and remanded to Wellington. One on probation at the commencement of the year completed his term satisfactorily. One received on transfer from another district is carrying out the terms of his license and giving every satisfaction. B. L. O'Brien, Gaoler. Waiotapu Prison. Hill Prison, Waiotapu, 10th January, 1906. I have the honour to report on the working of this prison for the year 1905. There were 61 prisoners in custody on the Ist January. Sixty males were received and 58 discharged during the year ; the average number in custody being 57-85. With a few exceptions, the conduct of prisoners was good, and the work done compares favourably with previous years As the work consists mainly of clearing scrub, pitting, and tree-planting in rough ground, only men physically fit should be sent, as those who are unfit are a source of trouble and a hindrance to the work generally; and several prisoners were sent back during the year being unfit for this place. Four prisoners attempted to escape during the year, but were recaptured within twenty-four hours and sent to Auckland, where they were tried and sentenced to additional terms of imprisonment varying from four months' to two years' hard labour. The general health of prisoners continues good, and no sickness of a serious nature occurred during the year. The rations supplied are of good quality, and there have been no complaints. Owing to the increased prices of provisions, &c, the maintenance cost per prisoner is slightly more than last year, but the gross cost is less. Planting commenced early in June and continued until the end of October. The number and varieties planted are : Larch, 721,125 ; Austrian pine, 46,300 ; Bentham's pine, 18,825 ; yellow-pine, 7,050; Weymouth pine, 37,450; Acacia, 38,175; gums, 7,600: total, 876,525. Replanted to fill blanks : Larch, 22,290 ; pines—Austrian, 43,280 ; Corsican, 27,000 ; Weymouth, 75 ; Bishop's, 1,000 ; Torrey's, 500 ; acacia, 3,500; gums, 189,250; redwood, 375 : total, 287,240. Experimental treesPines, 1,458 ; acacia, 40; gums, 81 : total 1,579. Total number of trees planted during the year, 1,165,344. Total to date, 2,815,758. Total area planted to date, 1,248 acres; cleared, 1,780 acres. The fence enclosing new reserve was continued, and 136J chains completed. Roads were formed to enable the carting of the trees to the places where they were required ; length completed, 249| chains. 988,648 pits were dug, and the ground cleared for next year's planting is 532 acres. I' I We have drained the remaining portion of swamp near present garden and put in Swede and other seeds. They are doing well, and I hope will provide a plentiful supply of vegetables throughout the year. J. C. SCANLON, Principal Warder and Acting-Gaoler. Waipa Valley Prison. H.M. Prison, Waipa Valley, 7th February, 1906. I beg to report that I took charge of this prison on the Ist April, 1905, and found everything in good order. Since then the prisoners have been regularly employed clearing, planting, road-making, fencing, and draining.

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