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Capital Expenditure from Public Works Fund. The expenditure under this head is mainly confined to completing the Invercargill Estuary Reclamation. No extensive building operations have been carried out over the past three years. This fact has had a bearing on the revenue position of the Department for when extensive building programmes were in progress considerable recoveries from Public Works Fund were credited to revenue. In recent years practically the whole of the revenue is "made money" from sales of produce, &c, and represents a cash credit to Public Account. The following table shows the amounts expended since 1923 : — Year. Expended. Year Expended. 1923-24 .. .. .. .. 27,259 1928-29 .. .. .. .. 12,572 1924-25 25,279 1929-30 .. .. .. .. 8,205 1925-26 .. .. .. .. 24,196 1930-31 .. .. .. .. 2,504 1926-27 .. .. .. .. 22,812 1931-32 .. .. .. .. 2,621 1927-28 .. .. .. .. 22,359 1932-33 .. .. .. .. 2,026 Conclusion. In conclusion, I desire to place on record appreciation of the help given by a large body of voluntary workers and societies who have assisted both in the in-care and after-care work, to which detailed reference is made in the institutional reports appended hereto. Thanks are extended to the clergymen and representatives of the various religious denominations who regularly have visited the institutions, often at considerable inconvenience and expense, and ministered to the spiritual welfare of the inmates. The Department is indebted to the Visiting Justices, Official Visitors, and Visiting Committees for their continued interest and regular visitations which have contributed towards the contentment of inmates and the maintenance of discipline. The Wellington Justices' Association has continued to take a practical and helpful interest in the work of the local institutions. I desire to express my gratitude to the staff. Tt has been pleasing to note the loyal spirit of co-operation that has prevailed. B. L. Dallard, Controller-General of Prisons.

Inspector of Prisons and Borstals to Controller-General of Prisons. I have the honour to submit my report for the year ended 31st March, 1933, regarding the inspection of the Prisons and Borstal Institutions under the control of the Department. The principal prison institutions, camps, and Borstal institutions were inspected at intervals throughout the year, and inmates were given opportunities to discuss with me matters affecting their general welfare. There was almost an entire absence of complaints by prisoners against officers, and the few allegations made were of a more or less trivial nature. At the main prisons discipline is being maintained in a satisfactory and uniform manner, and prisoners generally are respectful in their attitude towards their officers. It has been impressed upon senior officials that a well-organized staff and a proper standard of discipline are absolutely essential if an efficient and well-managed institution is the aim. Many prison inmates have expressed the view that the strict disciplinarian is preferable to the official who is frequeni ly indulgent but occasionally strict. Uniformity in disciplinary methods at the various prison institutions, which can only be obtained by inspections at reasonable intervals, tends to prevent discontent among inmates. The institutional buildings, workshops, &c, have been inspected arid special attention given to the condition of the cubicles, clothing, bedding, and cooking arrangements. The buildings and appointments generally are kept scrupulously clean, and at all institutions the food is prepared in a satisfactory manner. Requests for extra clothing or bedding, which are rarely made, are referred to the Medical Officer, who has power to arrange for the supply of whatever extra clothing he considers necessary. The institutional libraries are being carefully overhauled, and all damaged books are being rebound by prison labour. Donations of books have been received from time to time from public libraries and others interested in the welfare of the inmates. These books are carefully examined, and, if necessary, re-bound before being incorporated in the institution library. D. A. Mackintosh, Inspector of Prisons.

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