H.—2o,

12

With the exception of blankets, the whole of the prison laundering, and the repairs to socks, continue to be executed by the female prisoners, and the small cost to the Department speaks volumes for the capable control of the staff of this division. In addition to the prison laundering, work is performed for the Police and Department of Internal Affairs, whilst " soft " laundering is executed on behalf of the Defence Department's various encampments. The washing of prison blankets, repairs to moleskins, shirts, &c., are executed by male labour, and here again the cost to the Department is relatively small. During the past year several thousand blankets were laundered on behalf of the Defence Department, the undertaking proving profitable to this Department. It is pleasing to be able to report that both crushing plants in the prison quarry have been kept practically in full commission throughout the year. At present we have sufficient orders in hand to guarantee the output remaining at a high standard until the end of the current financial year, and it is confidently anticipated that the returns will at least be equal to those of the past few years. The detailed reports furnished by the quarry-manager monthly throughout the year will have enabled you to closely follow the trend of our activities in this sphere of the prison's industrial operations. Early in the current financial year all the horses with the exception of one were- disposed of, and were replaced by a Case tractor, which was transferred here from Hautu. The whole of the general haulage has been executed by this machine with the minimum of trouble, and the innovation has proved highly successful in all respects. Entertainments.—Concerts have been held periodically, some excellent programmes having been presented and keenly enjoyed by the inmates. Thanks are due to the City Missioner (Rev. Jasper Calder), Messrs. J. Stewart (0.V.), Samuel Falls, and Alfred Eady, in conjunction with the other social workers who maintain a kindly interest in the welfare of the inmates. The Salvation Army has also contributed entertainments of merit, whilst Messrs. John Fuller and Sons have at all convenient times shown readiness to arrange for professional artistes from their circuits to appear at the various concerts. Lectures under the auspices of the Workers' Educational Association have continued to be given monthly, and have proved most instructive and enjoyable. The director of the association, Mr. N. W. Richmond, has been mainly responsible for the arrangement of this form of entertainment, and is deserving of warm thanks for his efforts. Christmas Cheer. —The several organizations which in past years have provided additional comforts for the inmates during the festive season again contributed freely, with the result that an adequate and varied stock of " extras " was available for each individual inmate during Christmas and New Year. Naturally, such continued practical sympathy yearly is very keenly appreciated, and the recipients are loud in their praise of the kindly interest displayed by those responsible for these gifts. Mention must be made also of a substantial amount subscribed this year by a band of city business men, headed by Mr. G. Uren, the amount being expended in the purchase of Christinas cheer in accordance with the expressed desire of the donors.. Religious Services.—Throughout the year the various denominations arranged for services each Sunday, and sincere thanks are due to the interested parties, who spare no effort to make these services enjoyable as well as beneficial to those in attendance. Prisoners' Aid Society. —The representative of the Prisoners' Aid Society has been assiduous in attending to the needs of prisoners, both during confinement and subsequent to discharge, and there is no doubt that his efforts have resulted in many men having an increased chance of making good upon release. The conduct of the staff on the whole has continued to be excellent, with the result that a high standard of discipline has been maintained throughout the year, and consequently the various industrial activities have been carried on smoothly and with profit to the Department. The daily average of prisoners in custody throughout the past twelve months has been approximately 375, and with the numerical strength of the staff remaining unchanged, adequate supervision has been made possible. The staff in the Prison Office, under the Principal Clerk, has dealt with the clerical work of the institution in an efficient manner. In conclusion, I would respectfully tender my thanks to the Department for the guidance and assistance afforded me in dealing with various matters throughout the twelve months under review. Schoolmaster's Report. I have the honour to present my annual report for 1929 on the working of the above school. The roll number is thirty-three, and a good average attendance has been maintained throughout. The school has had an entirely satisfactory year. The work accomplished by the pupils, the results as measured by the annual test, and the working-spirit of the school as a whole are all to be reviewed with satisfaction. Much consideration has been shown by the officials of the Institution, and understanding of the difficulties inseparable from such a school ; and every assistance has been given, as far as the exigencies of the larger organization allowed, to make the school a benefit. There is no need to stress certain difficulties of instruction and organization within the school arising from unavoidable circumstances with which you must be familiar, but the greatest problem is that of finding enough time to help the less educable, who need individual personal help so much. Many of the pupils have to start at the very beginning, learning to read, write, and do numbers ; and, unless someone is constantly at their elbow, their progress is held up most of the school time because they are unable to solve their difficulties. The pupils are distributed as follows : Standard VI, 5 pupils ; Standard V, 11 pupils ; Standard IV, 3 pupils ; Standard 111, 8 pupils ; others, 6 pupils. Unfortunately, the receptivity and speed of the pupils in each group varies so much that it is difficult to provide much group-instruction in arithmetic ; in other subjects it can be done to better advantage.