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REPORTS OF DISTRICT PROBATION OFFICERS. W. J. Campbell, General Probation Officer, Auckland. I have the honour to submit my fourth annual report as Probation Officer of the Auckland District. I have pleasure in recording that the measure of success attained under the working of this beneficial Act has been more than maintained in this centre, as the appended figures, showing the numbers dealt with, &c., will show. Court Probationers. Daring the year 178 males were admitted to probation for varying periods ranging from one year to five years. The following are the complete figures for the period under review : — Probationers on register at Ist April, 1925 .. .. .. 251 Probationers received from Auckland Courts .. .. .. 178 Probationers received on transfer from other districts .. 56 234 Total dealt with .. .. .. .. 485 Of these there were — Probationers discharged by Prisons Board .. .. .. 1 Probationers completed probationary term .. .. 82 Probationers transferred to other districts .. .. 86 Probationers left the Dominion by permission .. .. .. 9 Probationers sencenced for fresh offences .. .. 10 188 Total on register at Ist April, 1926 .. .. 297 It has to be recorded that, besides the 10 probationers, who were sentenced to terms of imprisonment for fresh offences, there were 30 who came before the Court and were sentenced or fined for minor ofiences and breaches of the probationary conditions. With the exception of 2 who appeared twice before the Court, these 30 reverted to probationary conditions after release from prison, and continued to carry out in a satisfactory manner the conditions imposed. The above figures show that the total of those who defaulted amounts to 40, this number being approximately 8 per cent, of the total dealt with during the year. This result, while showing failures —the actual measure of which can be gauged only by the Probation Officer —is eminently satisfactory, in my opinion particularly so, as, due to the increased numbers dealt with, it has been difficult to maintain in all cases the supervision, advice, and guidance so essential to the successful issue aimed at. In this connection the following figures give an indication of the increase during the past three years : At the period commencing Ist April, 1923, there were 162 probationers on the register at Auckland. Comparison with the figures at Ist April, 1926—i.e., 297 —-shows an increase of 135 probationers. The sum of £942 7s. 2d. was received as restitution and £137 3s. for costs of prosecution, a total amount of £1,079 10s. 2d. This shows a decrease on the amount received during the previous year, due to some extent to the difficulty experienced by some probationers in meeting their liabilities in this respect, and for various other reasons largely beyond their control. As I have mentioned in my previous reports, the obligation of making restitution has a very salutary effect on the conduct of many probationers whose previous conduct showed small appreciation of the necessity for thrift. Much credit is due to those many probationers who by their good conduct and consistent reporting throughout the year have contributed to the successful operation of the Act in Auckland. In many respects this work can be likened to an " honour system," and it has been gratifying to note the responsive attitude of so many probationers. On the other hand, there are probationers who, while their conduct does not warrant a charge of breach of probation, often require to be reminded of their obligations. The number of these is, lam pleased to record, small. Crimes Amendment Act Probationers. The average number reporting monthly during the year was 42. Of the number of those released from prison on probationary license, 34 completed the term of probation, 4 received their discharge from the Prisons Board, and 1 left the Dominion by permission. Two probationers whose terms have since expired absconded and failed to report as required, while 8 probationers had their licenses cancelled, 7 of this number by reason of further ofiences committed while on probation, and 1 for failing to report. Those who completed the term of probation did so satisfactorily, and the majority of them are now to my knowledge in steady work and doing well. Of those whose licenses were cancelled, 5 were in the habitual-criminal class and had served more than one previous sentence. The 4 probationers who were granted their discharge by the Prisons Board were also in the habitual-criminal class, and it is pleasing to record that over a lengthy period on probation these men behaved and worked in a creditable manner. Contrasting those who again offended with those who earned their discharge, I find that the failures can be largely attributed to bad associations and habits persisted in after release from prison. It is difficult to find or create a new environment for these offenders, their previous record being all against them ; but in the case of at least three of those who were discharged from probation this new environment, sought of their own volition, was largely the means of their rehabilitation.

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