H.—2o

20

The orchard of 7 acres has been ploughed and disked, and all the trees have been pruned and sprayed at intervals. A new orchard has been started on the flat land close to the main road, in which 500 trees have been planted. They are showing wonderful growth for the short time they have been planted. Tho ground for tho new apiary was laid down in grass, and all the hives have since been shifted to their new quarters round the ground. A trellis-work fence has been erected round the apiary and a rose hedge has been planted. There have been several additions to the poultry-houses. A building comprising four rooms has been provided—-one for the brooder, one for the incubators, one as a storeroom, and the last for a boiler-room. There has been a large addition to the poultry in fowls, ducks, and turkeys. One man has been employed all the year trapping, digging out, and poisoning rabbits. By this means we have very few of these destructive animals on the farm. Several stacks of oats and barley were cut into chaff early in the year. The blacksmith's shop is one, of the most essential things on the farm. A large, amount of horseshoeing, repairing of implements, buggies, wagons, and general repairs are done. Blacksmithing for the Public Works is also carried out. Cash, returns for the year are as follow : Cream and milk, £434 18s. ; vegetables, £161 Bs. ; pigs, £86 7s. ; poultry and eggs, £90 ; stock, £310 14s. 3d. ; sheep-skins, £272 15s. ; tallow, £44 3s. 4d. ; bread and meat to officers, £100 ; wool, £11 9s. 2d. Divine service was conducted by the Revs, Shaw and Henderson. The Visiting Justices, Messrs. Teasdale and Richards, visited the Reformatory at intervals. Both gentlemen take a great interest in the welfare of the inmates. Unfortunately the Reformatory Aid Society had a severe, check on account of the influenza epidemic, and no meetings could be held. With the Christmas holidays following, all meetings have been postponed to early in the New Year. The secretary of this society is to be, congratulated on the energy he, is exerting to make a success of it. WELLINGTON PRISONS. It is gratifying to note that the conduct of the staff during the year was exceptionally good, only two officers having been reported for being absent from duty without permission, one being reprimanded and the other fined and warned. I have to thank the stall generally for the support accorded to me, in carrying out the duties and maintaining the discipline of tho Prison. The conduct of the prisoners on the whole has been very satisfactory. Although 1,101 males and 1.29 females wore dealt with, only 133 prisoners were reported for having committed 176 offences against the. regulations. Frank Bonnier was executed at the Terrace Prison on the 19th January for tho murder of his wife. The supplies of rations and other articles were up to standard and delivered with promptness. The health of the prisoners generally was very good, but the influenza epidemic which raged throughout the Dominion during the latter part of the year was responsible for laying up in bed twenty-eight males. Twelve were removed to the Hospital, where I regret to say three died. The, others on recovery were returned to the Prison. I deeply regret to record the death of Warder William Goddard on the 22nd November, 191.8, from influenza. He was a fearless, conscientious, and trustworthy officer, and always performed his duties with tact and ability. Altogether fourteen male officers were affected by the influenza scourge. Divine services were held each Sunday by the various denominations. By permission of the Inspector of Prisons the Salvation Army band accompanied the captain (who conducted the service) quarterly and played selections of sacred music, which was much appreciated by the prisoners, as was also the entertainment on Christmas Day given to the females, through the kind intercession of Edwin Arnold, Esq., Visiting Justice. The Visiting Justices and Official Visitors deserve the thanks of the Department for the attention they gave in visiting the Prison. Mr. Arnold, V.J., made forty-five, visits, and Mr. Hume, V.J., twenty-four visits. The lady Official Visitors made regular weekly visits to .the female prisoners, and Messrs. T. Mills and John Holdsworth, Official Visitors, made several visits and gave, interviews to male and female prisoners. There, wore forty males and thirteen females committed to the Prison for curative treatment during the year. The Point Halswell prisoners were employed on the Beach Road widening and crowning it, excavating on Prison site, clearing the fire-breaks, removing cable from the, sea, preparing fencingwire, and making staples (which are disposed of to other prisons), weeding and planting trees, and cutting grass round magazines. Two cows were purchased, and they have produced three, calves and supplied 80 gallons of milk, from the 19th November till the 31st December, to the Terrace and Mount Cook Prisons. Pigs (weaners) have been purchased, and when fattened twenty-six were sold, realizing £106 14s. 2d. Brickmaking at Mount Cook was continued during the year, 851,000 bricks having been manufactured in nine months of the year, and 517,250, of the value of £1,444 ss. 6d., sold to Government Departments and private institutions.