H.—2o.

drain is emptied into the estuary through flood-gates, it has the effect of reducing to a great extent the work of the electric pump being used for draining this area. Trees have been planted along the whole length of the drain and a fence has been erected alongside the drain as a protection to both the drain and the trees. All spoil obtained from the digging of the drain has been used for filling in low-lying areas on the adjacent freehold land, and has resulted in a great deal of improvement to a large area. In terms of the revised agreement with the Invercargill City Council a new road has been formed to give access to the proposed aerodrome on Section 6. Thin work has been completed, the total length of road formed being 47 chains. Surface drains were cut along the sides of the road. In further pursuance of the drainage and roading work up to a certain value to be carried out in terms of our agreement with the Council, a drain is being dug through Lake Hawkins, a distance of 35 chains having been completed. A small wall 5 chains in length has been built at the lake. Further drainage and roading work is also being carried out on this area. The work of forming the road, Section 11, which required to be carried out under the agreement with the Council has also been proceeded with. 22 chains of the road have been formed and the work is being carried on at present. In April work was commenced on the building of a wall along the eastern bank of the Waihopai River Estuary from Stead Street Bridge to Puni Creek, in terms of the agreement with the City Council. Steady progress has been made with the work, and at the end of the year 18 chains of the wall had been completed. The material has all to be conveyed out to the wall by pontoon. The work of dredging a berth at the Invercargill Jetty, which is another of the works required in terms of our agreement with the Council, was commenced in February last and completed on the 31st August. This completed the dredging required south of the Stead Street Bridge, and the dredge was moved through the bridge on the 19th September, and a commencement was made with the dredging of a channel for the Council, north of the bridge. This work has been continued for the remainder of the year and is still in progress. In addition to drains specially mentioned, several small drains have been dug during the year and large parties have been employed at frequent intervals keeping the existing drains clean. In large drains alone, a total length of over six miles of drains has been cleaned. Protective works were built at the Grassmere flood-gates, and a great deal of work has been put in keeping in order and repairing all flood-gates. The electric pump has also been kept going when required, with the result that the farm has been drier this year than probably ever before. The work of repairing the rifle-range wall has been continued practically throughout the year. In addition to repair work, which consists principally of cutting weiwei tufts and planting them 6 tiers high and filling up behind them with spoil, groynes are being erected to strengthen the wall. The groynes are being erected mainly with stakes and fascines. Twelve acres of land at Rhodes' leasehold, Otatara, were stumped during the year and sown in potatoes and turnips. During the year the whole of the electrical installation in the Institution and farm buildings was overhauled and brought up to the standard required by the electrical regulations. Waikeria Borstal Institution (Te Awamutu). (Superintendent, Mr. D. Dunlop.) On the Ist January, 1932, there were in custody 111 Borstal inmates, and 74 were received during the year; the discharges were 8 on the expiration of sentences and 60 on probationary licenses. while 10 were transferred to other institutions, thus leaving 107 inmates in custody on the 31st December, 1932. In the reformatory section there were in custody at the beginning of the year 39 inmates, and 95 were received during the year ; of these, 7 were discharged on the expiration of sentences, 27 were released on probationary license, and 34 were transferred to other institutions, leaving a total of 66 in custody on the 31st December, 1932. The daily average number in custody during the year was 103 in the Borstal section and 50 in the reformatory section. On the sth March, 1932, two inmates escaped from one of the dairies, but were recaptured a few days later a few miles from the Institution property. On the 26th November, 1932, two further inmates escaped from the farm. They were recaptured by the police near Whakatane. Although all four offenders were charged with escaping from lawful custody and dealt with by the Court, one cannot help remarking that the punishment awarded to two of the escapees was totally inadequate, inasmuch as it did not result in additional detention. It is recognized that, in the public interest as well as for the good conduct of institutions, escapes from prison or Borstal are highly undesirable, and that opportunities for escaping should be kept down to a minimum. On the other hand, it must be remembered that the system of Borstal training on farms, which has already produced excellent results, makes it quite impossible to attain the ideal. Experience has shown that, except in a few isolated cases, the escape of an inmate is generally the result of a foolish impulse, and many escapees subsequently turn out to be good and trustworthy inmates. In my opinion, however, it is most important for the punishment of an escapee to be not only adequate from a punitive point of view, but also sufficient to act as a deterrent to others. Unless this fact is fully recognized, the difficulties of Borstal training and prevention of escapes will be immeasurably increased. One inmate died during the year in the Waikato Public Hospital. On the whole, the general health of the inmates was very good. Medical treatment was provided by the Medical Officer, Dr. J. Roberton, who made frequent visits to the Institution and carried out his duties in a very painstaking manner. Facilities for adequate dental attention wore provided as usual.

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