H.—2o.

The Chief Inspector op Prisons and Borstals to the Controller-General. I have the honour to submit my report for the year ended 31st March, 1934, concerning the inspection of the various institutions under the control of the Department. During the past year the larger institutions were frequently visited and the camps and certain police-gaols at intervals when found practicable. On the occasion of these visits inmates were given the usual facilities to interview me and discuss any matter which concerned them. The institutional buildings and general accommodation were also inspected and invariably found to be clean and in good order. Comparatively few complaints were made by inmates concerning their treatment and none at all was of a serious nature. The food supplied at the institutions is of good quality and, as a general rule, is well cooked. The bedding, footwear, and wearing-apparel are kept in a reasonably good state of repair, and complaints regarding inadequate clothing are very rarely heard. Inmates are provided with the usual additional bedding during the winter months and men in detention at camps or other country institutions are supplied with whatever extra clothing the Medical Officer recommends in individual cases. The innovation in respect of the supply of sheets is decidedly more sanitary and may prove more economical as it should lesson the frequency of the laundering of the blankets. The usual high standard of industry among the inmates of institutions has been well maintained and, despite the rapidly diminishing prisons and borstal population, considerable progress has been made in the various undertakings during the past year. The institutional libraries have been examined at intervals, and arrangements made, where necessary, for supplies of additional books. Special attention has been given to the libraries at the Borstal institutions, and an effort has been made to provide the right class of literature for the inmates. The library at the Invercargill Institution was thoroughly overhauled during the past year, and at present there are over two thousand books on the catalogue. An adequate supply of suitable magazines and illustrated weekly papers is also provided. The officers at the prison institutions exhibit a keen and intelligent interest in their duties, and, while maintaining a reasonable standard of discipline, due attention is given to the training of those under their charge for the inevitable struggle which, under the present economic conditions, they are likely to encounter on release. Borstal officers, as a whole, show a commendable spirit of enthusiasm in giving effect to the Department's policy in connection with the training and general welfare of the inmates. The papers submitted by the candidates at the Probationary and Principal Warders Examinations are an indication that the officers are applying themselves diligently to the study of their work and keeping abreast of current ideas in penal treatment. The " house " system of Borstal administration- which you established originally at Point Halswell and subsequently at Invercargill has proved an unqualified success. The inter-house competitions at Invercargill under the leadership of the Housemasters has given a stimulus to the social life of the Institution. The Institution orchestra, under the guidance of a Housemaster, experienced in the teaching of vocal and instrumental music, is making good progress and many of the inmates show considerable musical talent. The teaching of retardate pupils has also been resumed and classes are held on four afternoons each week at the farm buildings. D. A. Mackintosh, Chief Inspector.

Visiting Justices to Prisons. Addington Women's Reformatory : H. A. Young, S.M. ; E. D. Mosley, S.M. ; H. P. Lawry, S.M. Auckland Prison : Wyvern Wilson, S.M. ; F. K. Hunt, S.M. ; W. R. McKean, S.M. ; J. H. Hannan, J.P. ; J. H. Bradney, J.P. Hautu Farm Camp : John Cullen, J.P. ; John J. Ross, J.P. Napier Prison : A. M. Mowlem, S.M. ; James P. Thomson, J.P. ; A. E. Bedford, J.P. New Plymouth Prison : W. H. Woodward, S.M. ; C. E. Bellringer, J.P. ; Walter C. Weston, J.P.; Charles H. Burgess, J.P. Paparua Prison : E. D. Mosley, S.M. ; H. A. Young, S.M. ; H. P. Lawry, S.M. ; J. Leslie, J.P. ; George Maginness, J.P. ; William T. Franks, J.P. Rangipo Farm Camp : John Cullen, J.P. ; John J. Ross, J.P. Waikune Prison Camp : John Cullen, J.P. ; W. H. Sandford, J.P. Wanganui Prison : J. H. Salmon, S.M. ; J. Driver, J.P. Wellington Prison : A. Longmore, J.P. ; D. H. Edgar, J.P. ; W. G. Riddell, J.P. Wi Tako Prison : Peter Robertson, J.P. ; W. Greig, J.P. ; J. A. Strang, J.P. ; A. Longmore, J.P. ; D. H. Edgar, J.P.

Borstal Visiting Committees. Invercargill: E. C. Levvey, S.M. (Chairman); W. Macalister ; W. A. Ott, J.P. ; R. M. Strang, J.P. ; M. N. Hyndman. Point Halswell: George C. Edwards, J.P. (Chairman); Mrs. R. Glover ; Mrs. M. H. Chatfield, J.P. Waikeria : Francis Quin, J.P. (Chairman) ; G. Empson, J.P. ; Fred J. Gilbert; William Jeffrey, J.P. ; F. W. Bevin.

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