H.—2o,

and mature intelligence than the contents of the primary-school syllabus. Topics from world and Empire geography, English and European history, selections from such literature as would appeal, poems, extracts from plays, social and economic problems—these and many other diverse subjects formed the matter for lectures, discussions, and questions. I consider these had a beneficial if rather intangible effect on the men, particularly those of ordinary intelligence. The talks were very welP received, listened to with attention, and, I gather, were thoroughly appreciated. Examinations were held at the end of the year, the results on the average, being good, and forming the basis of classification for the year 1927. The services of the Assistant Schoolmaster, whose patient efforts with the men of the lower classes are responsible for the excellent results achieved, are invaluable. My thanks are due to the various prison officials for their unfailing courtesy, and especially to the disciplinary officer who has charge of the schoolroom. Hautu Prison (Land-development Camp), Tokaanu. (Officer in Charge, Mr. T. Banks.) There were in custody at the commencement of the }?ear 22 males. During the year 30 were received, 14 were discharged, and 5 were transferred to other institutions, leaving a total of 33 in custody at the 31st December, being a daily average number of 24-87 prisoners in custody for the year. The health of the prisoners has been good, there only being three minor cases of sickness during the period. The general conduct and industry of the prisoners have been very satisfactory, only one man being punished for breach of regulations. The prison vegetable-garden continues to be a success, more than sufficient vegetables for the local requirement have been grown, the surplus being sent to Waikune and Rangipo Prisons for rations, and also for feeding live-stock. The following is a summary of the work carried out during the year : 350 acres stumped of tutu and manuka, and cleared of fern and burned ready for ploughing ; 206 acres were ploughed, 50 of which were sown down in temporary pasture and 150 acres sown down in temporary pasture and turnips, 4 acres in potatoes, and 2 acres in barley. Forest-trees, consisting of 5,000 Pinus radiata, were raised in the prison garden : 500 were planted in various parts of the farm for the purpose of shelter-belts, and the balance were supplied to other institutions ; also 5,000 were raised in the prison-garden for lining-out in the coming autumn. Nine groynes were erected in the Waiotaka Stream, which necessitated the handling of 4,500 bundles of facines and approximately 180 tons of metal. Three miles of fencing were erected, consisting of two miles of boundary-fence of four posts to the chain and seven wires, and one mile of subdivision fencing, consisting of three posts to the chain and four wires. Napier Prison. (Gaoler, Mr. S. H. Spiers.) On the Ist January, 1926, there were in custody 15- males and 1 female, a total of 16. 208 males and 9 females were received during the year, making a total of 217 receptions. Prisoners have been employed principally in the quarry, completing retaining-wall round slip mentioned in last year's annual report. The wall is now completed, and is a great improvement to that part of the roadway. There has also been erected in the quarry a new blacksmiths' shop, shelter for prisoners, and store, the buildings being erected from old buildings that were removed from another part of the quarry, so that the cost to the Department was nominal. The health of the prisoners has been good, and no cases were sent to the District Hospital for treatment. The conduct and industry of the prisoners have been satisfactory. Four males and one woman were reported for prison offences and dealt with by the Visiting Justice. The roof of the main prison building and part of the walls have been painted ; also the brick walls dividing the yards, which I recommended as necessary for the preservation of the bricks, which were soft-burnt. The work has now been practically completed, and the whole of the prison is in a good state of repair. New Plymouth Prison. (Superintendent, Mr. W. Dineen.) The number of prisoners in confinement at the beginning of the year was 63 males. The number received during the year was 110 males and 3 females. The main industry has been, as in former years, the quarrying of gravel and metal, the output of which has been sold to the New Plymouth Borough Council at fixed rates per cubic yard. The gross revenue from this source was £1,011 os. 6d. Owing to the advent of tar-sealed footpaths, the demand for fine screened gravel shows a diminishing tendency, but the demand for hand-broken metal is greater than we can supply. The installation of a pumping-machine has enabled the quarry a be worked to the lowest level at which saleable material can be procured, and it has become necessary to strip a fresh portion of the reserve to enable the quarrying to be continued. The situation of the work lends itself to the very close observation necessary for the care of the particular class of prisoners who are sent to this prison. Matters are so arranged that prisoners in the quarry work are at no time out of sight of an officer. Several men who from one reason or another can be

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