H.—2o

The conduct of the prisoners has been excellent. With the exception of three prisoners who were suffering from the effects of injuries received prior to admittance here, there has been no cases of sickness during the year. The hard labour prisoners have been kept employed during the year at cleaning the prison, washing, mending, and general work about the prison and prison garden. This season the prison garden was planted under favourable conditions, and up to date the weather has been more seasonable than usual, consequently the young plants are looking fairly promising. However, during the past two years blight set in about February, which completely stopped the growth, and caused the root crops to gradually rot from the crown downwards. After supplying prison requirements surplus vegetables were sold locally. Hautu Prison. (Ollicer in Charge, Mr. T. Banks.) At the commencement of the year there were in custody 91 males ; during the year 67 were received, 56 were discharged, and 10 were transferred to other institutions, leaving a total of 92 in custody at the 31st December, 1932 ; being a daily average of 90 14 prisoners in custody during llk year. The health of the prisoners has been exceptionally good, there being no cases of serious illness. The conduct and industry of the prisoners on the whole have been satisfactory, the men takin a keen interest in the farm-work. Four men escaped during the year and were recaptured. The spiritual welfare of the prisoners has been well attended to by the local ministers of the various denominations. The vegetable garden has again been a success, maintaining both camps in ample supplies of fresh vegetables throughoul the year. The following is a summary of the work carried out during the year: 1,030 acres stumped of tutu, manuka, and cleared of fern, ready for ploughing ; 281 acres ploughed ; 200 acres sown down direct in permanent pasture ; 1,239 acres converted from temporary to permanent pasture : 150 acres in turnips; 30 acres in oats; and 4 acres in potatoes; 150 acres of grass was mown for hay; 2,387 acres of pasture was top-dressed ; 160 chains of new drains was dug ; 640 chains of new fencing erected ; 2\ miles of road formed ; 3,265 posts were split and carted out of the bush. The conduct of the staff has been very satisfactory throughout the year. Napier Prison. (Gaoler, Mr. T. Stocker.) At tbe beginning of the year there were 25 male prisoners in custody. During the year 255 males and 2 females were received and 263 males and 2 females discharged or transferred, leaving 17 male prisoners in custody at the end of the year. The daily average number of prisoners in custody over the whole year was 20. Two prisoners were admitted to the Public Hospital, one of whom died shortly after his admission there. The general health of the prisoners was good. Divine service was conducted by the ministers of various denominations weekly, including members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society who prior to this year had not visited the prison. The Salvation Army with their band also visited once a month and their services were much enjoyed. Captain Kirby, of the Church Army, Adjutant Goffin, of the Salvation Army, and the Rev. Mr. Olds, as well as members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, were of great assistance in helping prisoners on release. The Napier Brotherhood under the Rev. Mr. Olds visited the prison in the evenings once a fortnight and conducted community sings which were always well attended and very much appreciated. Once a week during the dinner-hour the prisoners were entertained by me with a wireless programme in the exercise yard. Occasional wireless concerts were also jjrovided in the evenings. On Anzac Day Captain Kirby of the Church Army conducted an open-air service in the morning, and in the afternoon a radio broadcast of the dedication ceremony of the Wellington Carillon was listened to. As in former years, our main revenue was derived from sales of material from the prison qua which continues to provide employment for the majority of prison labour. We have grown sufficient vegetables to supply our needs all the year round, but during the present dry spell it is difficult to conserve enough moisture on the bills to maintain our supply and to get seeds to germinate. Our potato crop has been quite successful, and the sack of seed potatoes which was received from Invercargill Borstal Farm is estimated to yield half a ton of potatoes. Our onion crop is equally good and is estimated to last until next season. The prison buildings have been kept in a state of repair in so far as the limited finance would allow. In August a starl was made to paint the exterior of the prison buildings, a competent tradesman prisoner being sent, from Wellington Prison for the purpose. All the old paint which was the accumulation of years was burnt off, all damaged boards were replaced, and a thorough job was made of the painting. The buildings are now looking very fresh and clean, and it is hard to realize that the buildings are so old. The floors of the exercise yards were patched with " cold-fix " where necessary and are now looking much better. All earthquake debris has now been disposed of. Several sewers subsided as a result of the big earthquake, but were not discovered until they became full and overflowed. These were repaired where necessary and relaid, and are now in good order. Breadbaking has been continued with profit to the Department.

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