H.—2o.

9

AUCKLAND PRISON. Extracts from Gaoler's Report. During the year 1,538 males and 159 females were received, being a decrease of 160 males and an increase of 30 females on the previous year. The health of the prisoners has, on the whole, been good. Four prisoners died during the year. Two of the deaths took place in the District Hospital. One was on remand for alcoholism, and was in such a bad condition on the evening he was admitted to prison that on the following morning he was removed to the Hospital, where he died a few hours later. Another, an old man sentenced to three months for begging, was also ill when admitted, and shortly afterwards was removed to the Hospital, where he died a fortnight later. The other two deaths occurred in the Prison —one from heart-failure, the other from phthisis, from which he was suffering on admission and was quite unfit for work. The usual inquest was held in each case. There are always a number of aged and infirm who are unfit for work and are under the care of the surgeon. With a few exceptions, the conduct of the prisoners has been excellent. There were no escapes or attempted escapes during the year. Physical drill is now part of the daily routine, and its good effect is strikingly noticeable in the erect bearing and general demeanour of the prisoners attending the drill parades. The school for prisoners continues to work well. A certificated State-school teacher has been appointed to conduct the classes, assisted by a capable prison officer, the classes being held on three evenings a week. The progress of the prisoners attending is very satisfactory; they take a keen interest in their studies, and are grateful for the opportunity afforded them. The south wing extension of the Prison has progressed very satisfactorily. The building of the first story has been completed, and the second story is well under way. The bulk of the long-sentence prisoners have, as usual, been employed in. the stone-cutting yards. A large body of the prisoners is also employed in the quarry, getting out building-stone, &c. Those unfit for the hammer and drill and other heavy quarry-work are employed breaking road-metal. A stone-crushing plant is attached to the quarry capable of putting through 80 yards of good road-metal a day if necessary. Bootmaking is one of the industries carried on, and prisoners are taught the trade in all its branches by a competent instructing officer. The prisoners so employed can turn out the work in a thorough tradesmanlike manner. Some who have been discharged from prison now work at the trade and earn a good living. The spiritual welfare of the prisoners has been well cared for, the clergymen and others who attend assisting them in evert' way possible. Mr. Duncan McPherson, who has for many years been visiting here on behalf of the Presbyterian Church, has, owing to advanced age, found it necessary to retire. He has been succeeded by the Rev. F. R. Jeffreys, who is superintendent of the Presbyterian Social Service Association. The conduct of the officers has, on the whole, been satisfactory, the majority of them carrying out their duties in a conscientious and praiseworthy manner. First Offenders' Probation Act. At the commencement of the year there were 18 males on probation, and during the twelve months 36 males were added to that number—viz., 22 by Supreme Court, 7 by Magistrates' Court, and 7 received from other districts—making a total of 54 dealt with during the year. Of these, 13 completed their terms of probation in a more or less satisfactory manner, 4 failed to comply with the conditions of their release and received terms of imprisonment, 18 were transferred to other districts, 2 have failed to report and their whereabouts have not yet been traced, thus leaving a balance of 17 males reporting at the end of the year. I again desire to thank the members of the Police Force for the valuable assistance they have given me in the working of the Probation Act. ADDINGTON PRISON. Extracts from Matron's Report. Three prisoners died in the District Hospital at Christchurch, to which institution they had been admitted from this prison. An inquest was held in each case, and the verdicts were death from tuberculosis, peritonitis, and cerebral hemorrhage respectively. The health of the prisoners has otherwise been good. The rations supplied were uniformly of good quality. Divine service is held on Sundays by the Rev. Canon Bean, Mr. Smaill, and the Salvation Army for Protestants, and by members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society for Roman Catholics. DUNEDIN PRISON. Extracts from Gaoler's Report. There were 3 admissions to the Public Hospital during the year, otherwise the health of the prisoners has been good, the daily average on the sick-list being 043. The behaviour of the prisoners has been satisfactory, 5 prisoners only being punished for minor offences. All articles of diet supplied by the contractors have been excellent, consequently there were no complaints.

2—H. 20,