19

11.—20

We have had a machine manufactured for the making of lead-head nails, with the result that a very good nail is being turned out; also the special mixture of the metal for the head of the nails has made a wonderful improvement. The total quantity manufactured for the year was 6 ton 10 cwt. 2 qr. Several experiments have been tried with the object of improving the quality of the floor-polish, with the result that a very good article is now being manufactured. During the year 4 ton 1 qr. 8 lb. of polish was made. The Public Library has donated a large quantity of second-hand library books, which I have had rebound. A large number have been distributed to the several institutions and prisons. The printing of labels for the different industries has been carried out successfully. A large number of boots have been repaired throughout the year. A sewing-machine was purchased, with the result that repairs to the clothing can now be done not only better than by hand, but with a greater saving of time. Packing-cases are being manufactured out of motor-car cases ; these cases are used for packing sandsoap, nails, &c. The new workshop is now complete ; shelving has been fitted and coppers built in, &c. The formation of Massey Road is now complete. Culverts have been built in, and a 9 in. pipe carried from each across the road. The battering of the bank is almost complete, and the whole of the road has been covered with 8 in. of second-class metal, twice rolled with the steam-roller, and a second coat of first-class metal is now being spread on the road. A start has been made to topdress the metal that has been rolled, and a large quantity of metal chips has been carted to the side of the road at intervals. Two hired lorries from the Public Works Department, assisted by the prison lorry part time, made a start to cart the metal from the Townsend quarry to the road. The daily average quantity carted was 80 cubic yards. A good deal of delay was caused through bad weather and several heavy slips after the road was formed. Only a certain class of metal obtainable from the quarry is of any use, and this the Public Works Department has been taking. The old hoppers are becoming very worn and require a great deal of repairs. Several parts have been made good both to the hoppers and the crushing plant. The total quantity of stripping done was 2,000 cubic yards. A start was made with the crushing plant on the 29th November. The traction-engine was received from the Public Works Department after some delay, and placed in position, also several adjustments were made. Five new departmental cottages have been completed. One is in course of erection on the left side of the road. From the prison reservoir the following places have been supplied with water : Public Works Department (Massey Memorial) —pipes were connected to the Borstal service and meter fixed ; Internal Affairs (magazine, Shelly Bay) —pipes laid and meter fixed ; Defence Department (Fort Ballance) —pipes laid and meter connected. Water was laid on to the cottages in Massey Road and the garden at the Massey Memorial. The electric pump has been overhauled and replacements effected. The replanting of the area destroyed by fire has been carried out on the west side of Point Halswell, and a small area on the top of Mount Crawford was also replanted. Gravel: 722£ yards of gravel has been carted from Breaker Bay to Mount Crawford Prison, and a large reserve is now in hand. The following works have been carried out at the Borstal Institution : New shower-baths in Fergusson House and under kitchen wing; copper reset; new drains from new W.C.; repairs to drains ; ■painting buildings ; repairing stoves, telephones, drying-room lines, kitchen roof ; rewiring irons ; repairs to electric wires, and alterations to lights ; sharpening gardening tools ; painting and papering cottage, &c. The motor-cars and lorries have been overhauled and repaired at the prison garage, also two vehicles have been repainted. The following works have been carried out at Wi Tako Prison : The new water-service has been laid from Heretaunga to the prison and cottages, also site for the reservoir has been cleared ; one of the cottages has had one room added, and one house was papered ; also, one cottage had alterations to electric light. The old store at the Terrace Prison was taken down in sections and carted to Wi Tako Prison, and erected on the land near the warders' cottages, and is to be used as a wool-store and shearing-shed. Pens have been built, and the building painted on the outside. The building is now in use, and the cost was very reasonable. Wi Tako Prison, Heretaunga. (Superintendent, Mr. D. Blain.) At the beginning of the year there were 39 hard-labour prisoners, and 36 men serving terms of reformative detention, in the institution, a total of 75 men ; 87 men were received during the year, and 26 hard-labour prisoners were discharged on expiration of sentence ; 27 hard-labour and 25 reformative-detention prisoners were released on remission on the recommendation of the Prisons Board ; while 16 prisoners were transfered to other institutions. The total in custody at the end of the year was 69. The general conduct and industry of the prisoners has proved satisfactory, and their health has been good. There were no escapes. During the year 84 acres of freehold were cleared of gorse, blackberry, scrub, &c., and stumped, 72 acres being dug or ploughed and sown in permanent pasture ; 65 acres of leasehold were cleared and dug, and 10 acres sown in grass ; 108 chains of fence were erected.