H—2o.

bf the poorer class of dairy cows, instituted by the late Superintendent. The policy of making the dairies as far as possible self-contained has been continued, and gives the inmates engaged a working knowledge not only of the milking, but of cropping for and looking after the dairy herds generally. In the garden good supplies have been maintained for the use of our own institution and that of Waikune as well. All surplus supplies are disposed of by market, but owing to the distance we are situated from the chief market centres the results obtained do not appear to warrant developing the output to greater dimensions. Apart from the general routine work on the farm, development of the property was continued by the erection of 275 chains of fencing in the subdivision of paddocks, the fencing-in of the road to No. 2 dairy, and the laying-down of 830 chains of new drains. About 300 acres of virgin country was ploughed and worked up, and is now ready for sowing in temporary pasture. In addition, the main road from the bridge bordering on the Mental Hospitals Department's property to the main building was widened 6 ft., and shingled throughout with gravel obtained from the Mangatutu Stream. From our own nursery 23,000 trees were planted out for future shelter-belts, various corners around the river-banks and other waste portions of land being utilized for this purpose. Around the main building about 2f acres have been laid down in lawns, with borders of flowers and ornamental trees, while the motor-sheds at the back of the building have been removed to a more convenient position. The employment of labour by the Tokanui Mental Hosjjital on their farm property has been continued. The inmates selected for this are confined at No. 1 Gamp and are comprised of only first offenders. Classes in physical drill instruction were also instituted during the year, and the improvement in the physique and bearing of the inmates has been remarkable. The keenness displayed by the inmates in these classes is reflected in the efficient manner in which their drill manoeuvres are carried out. The conduct of the inmates has been very satisfactory. In the working of the farm it naturally occurs that some inmates are employed under very limited supervision, and I am pleased to state that very little ground of complaint has arisen through any breach of trust placed in the inmates so employed. lam more and more convinced that there can be no hard-and-fast rules laid down to cover the plan of employment in " trusted " positions, but that each inmate must be guided individually according to temperament. The will-power of the average inmate is not strongly developed, and I have found that a timely change of occupation or of position of employment helps him to abstain from any breach that might result if allowed to remain too long in the one position. The health of the inmates has, fortunately, been very good throughout the year. Institution School: Re-port of Schoolmaster. During the year, except when holidays intervened, three classes per week each of one and a half hours' duration were given. The attendance has steadily risen. The average attendance for the month of March was nine men, while that of last December was forty, with fifty-three men actually on the school roll now. In order to relieve the monotony generally prevalent in these classes, a series of lectures in history, geography, and elementary physical science was commenced last year, and will be continued throughout the current year. We are hoping that the necessary apparatus for experiments in the science course will be forthcoming. In a school of this class it is very difficult to measure success, as we cannot use the ordinary standards of measurement, but, I think, taking all things into consideration, that considerable progress has been made. The men are cheerful and going ahead very steadily. When one remembers that more than half the men attending are either in Standard 111 or under one must realize that the progress of these retarded men must of necessity be slow, but they are keen, and I really believe 'that the majority of them would rather come to school then remain in their cells, which is very satisfactory. As will be seen from the foregoing, the work is steadily advancing, but much still remains to be done. We are hoping to start a debating class during the winter months, and with a reading and recreation room in view another field of work is opening up for us. Point Halswell Borstal Institution for Females. At the beginning of the year there were two inmates in the Borstal and thirty-seven in the Reformatory. At the close there were forty-two in the Borstal and twelve in the Reformatory. The inmates have been engaged during the year upon the usual institutional work, also employed in garden, dairy, and the care of pigs and poultry. During the year a Visiting Committee was formed, which meets every first Thursday in the month. The Chairman of the Visiting Committee deals with refractory inmates, and the members meet and talk with the girls individually. First-aid classes have been conducted by Dr. Platts-Mills. Out of thirty-eight girls who sat for their examination twenty-seven passed. This, 'I consider, was very good, and goes to prove that the girls were genuinely interested.

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