H.—2o.

The conduct of the staff has been excellent, and consequently a high standard of discipline has been maintained throughout the year, enabling the various industrial activities, as well as the general prison routine-work, to be executed as smoothly and economically as possible. The call made by the Department for the continuance of the practice of economy in every possible direction met with a ready response, and the officers directly in control of the several prison industries are to be again commended for their co-operation. The clerical work of the institution has been dealt with efficiently by the office staff. Gisborne Prison. (Gaoler, Mr. H. N. Richardson.) There was in custody at the beginning of the year 1 male. During the year 92 males and 5 females were received, and during the same period there were discharged or otherwise disposed of 90 males and 5 females, leaving in custody at the end of the year 3 males. At the present time certain repairs to the Warder's cottage are being carried out, and an Ideal boiler has been installed in the prison kitchen and is giving every satisfaction. One prisoner had to be transferred to Cook Hospital during the year, otherwise the health of the prisoners has been good, very few cases requiring the attention of the Medical Officer. The usual gardening work has been carried on, and vegetables for prison rations have been supplied throughout the year. Female prisoners have been employed at repairing clothing and socks, also laundry work. I wish to thank the local gentlemen who have helped me to place discharged men in employment. Greymouth Prison. (Gaoler, Mr. H. Robinson.) At the commencement of the year there were 4 males in custody. During the year 48 males were received and 48 males were discharged or transferred, leaving 4 males in custody at the end of the year, the daily average being 2-031. The health of the prisoners has been good, there being no case of sickness during the year. The prisoners were employed during the year at gardening, laundry work, repairing prison clothing, and general cleaning work about the prison. The prison garden has supplied vegetables for prison rations throughout the year. The conduct of the prisoners has been very good. Hautu Prison. (Officer in Charge, Mr. T. Banks.) On the Ist January, 1934, there were in detention 92 prisoners, and 40 were received during the year. The discharges were 5 on special remission, 40 on probationary license, while 14 were transferred to other prisons, thus leaving in custody on the night of the 31st December, 1934, 73 prisoners. The greatest number in custody at any one time was 92, the least 73, the daily average being 82-5. The conduct of the prisoners was satisfactory during the year. Two prisoners escaped from one of the working parties on the 16th February, 1934. They were recaptured after two days' liberty. The health of the prisoners has been very good. There were no admissions to hospital on account of,illness or accident. The Medical Officer, Dr. W. J. Feltham, made frequent visits to the prison and gave every attention to those requiring medical treatment. Full advantage was taken by the prisoners of the usual facilities provided for dental attention. The spiritual welfare of the men was well cared for by visiting chaplains from Taupo and Tokaanu. Farming operations were carried on as in past years. During the year approximately 464 acres of land was cleared of manuka and tutu; 50 acres of virgin swamp was drained and sown down in swede turnips; 1,000 acres of land was cleared of lump pumice. The following crops were harvested during the year: 40 tons of oats, 450 tons of swede turnips, 150 tons of hay, 28 tons of potatoes. The wool clip for the season was twenty-nine bales of wool, weighing 10,633 lb., from 1,564 sheep. In conclusion, I desire to thank the staff for their loyal co-operation during the year. Napier Prison. (Gaoler, Mr. T. Stocker.) At the beginning of the year there were 11 male prisoners in custody. During the year 170 males and 11 females were received, while 167 males and 10 females were discharged or transferred, leaving 14 males and 1 female in custody at the end of the year. The daily average number in custody was 14, which was 2 lower than in the previous year and 6 lower than in the year 1932. This may again be attributed to the fact that the single men's camps are absorbing the majority of those who formerly made periodical visits to the prison for drunkenness and similar offences. The camps also absorb a number of prisoners on discharge and thus lessen the risk of their return to prison by remaining in the towns.

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