H.—2o.

Waikune Prison (Roadmaking Camp), Erua. (Officer in Charge, Mr. P. McGrath.) On the Ist January, 1934, there were in detention 94 prisoners, and 61 were received during the year. The discharges were—ll on camp remission, 44 on probationary license, while 12 were transferred to other prisons, and 1 escaped, thus leaving 87 in custody on the 31st December, 1934. The greatest number of prisoners in custody at any one time was 106, the least 85. The daily average was 91 -66. The health of the prisoners was very good during the year. One prisoner was admitted to Waimarino Public Hospital to receive treatment for a minor accident received whilst at labour. Shortly after his admission to the hospital it was found that he was suffering from acute appendicitis, in addition to his injury. A successful operation was performed, and after a period of convalescence in hospital the prisoner was returned to camp fully recovered from his illness and accident. The Medical Officer (Dr. W. J. Feltham) made frequent visits to the institution and gave every attention to prisoners requiring treatment. Full advantage was taken by the prisoners of the usual facilities provided for dental treatment. The spiritual welfare of the men was well eared for by visiting chaplains from Ohakune and Taumarunui. Our special thanks are due to the Christchurch branch of the Howard League for Penal Reform for a quantity of cake forwarded to us for issue to the prisoners at Christmas time, also to Mr. C. Lowe, of Auckland, and Mr. W. P. Sommerville, of Wellington, for the tobacco and cigarettes which we received. The Christmas allowance of tobacco granted by the Department was handed out to the men on Christmas Eve. On Boxing Day a sports programme arranged by the men was carried out, and in the evening a concert was held. There has been no alteration in our industrial activities. Roadworks constitute our main industry, but, owing to the present financial stringency, road construction on a major scale has not been resumed and our activities are mainly in connection with road-maintenance and effecting minor improvements to the roads under our control. Further road-mileage was handed over to us during the year. We are now responsible for the maintenance of seventyseven miles of road in this district. Work involving capital expenditure was carried on at Otukou Deviation. During the year approximately five miles of road was formed and pumiced, and many culverts put in. Road-formation was carried on at Scoria Flat until the middle of August last, when the need for labour on our other roadworks brought about the closing-down of the camp above the Chateau Tongariro and the removal of the prisoners from Scoria Flat Road to other workings. During the period prison labour was engaged on construction of the road leading to Scoria Flat, approximately one mile of road was formed and one mile and a half of road was metalled. General transport work for the Tourist Department, Hautu and Rangipo Prisons, and our own roadwork and institutional cartages kept the fleet of seven motor-trucks and two motor-driven graders fully occupied during the year. _ In conclusion, I desire to tender my thanks to the staff for their loyal co-operation during the year. Wanganui Prison. (Gaoler, Mr. E. Ching.) At the commencement of the year there were 24 males and 1 female in custody. During the year there were received into the prison 118 males and 12 females, and at the end of the year there remained in detention 21 males and no females. The general health of the prisoners has been very good, there being no cases of serious illness throughout the year. The majority of the prisoners are old and infirm, and they are accordingly unable to perform heavy work. These men are capable of doing light gardening and keeping the grounds in order, while those who are physically stronger attend to the heavier work in the prison garden. Sufficient vegetables to meet the prison's requirements have been grown during the year, but, in view of the very hot summer and the sandy nature of the soil, the vegetable crop has not been so large as was expected. The food supplied throughout the year lias been of good quality, and no complaints have been made by the men. The bread ration is obtained from the New Plymouth Prison and, on the whole, is quite satisfactory. Thanks are due to the Presbyterian Church for supplies of ice-cream on Christmas Day, the Church of Christ for providing a nice tea on the same day, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society for a gift of tobacco to every prisoner, which was greatly appreciated. We have also to thank the Cosmopolitan Club for gifts of library books. I have to thank the members of the staff for their loyal co-operation throughout the year.

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