H.—208

Mr. J. R. Esson, Probation Officer, Hastings. I have the honour to submit my report on the working of the probation system in Hastings during the year ended 31st March, 1936. Total numbers dealt with daring the year, 41; at present on register, 25; transferred, 5 ; completed terms of probation, 16. Total costs of prosecution and restitution-moneys paid, £44 10s. lOd. With a few exceptions the conduct of probationers has been most satisfactory, and the majority seem determined to lead a straight life for the future. Several of them have failed to make restitution, but I am hopeful that this will be paid during the coming year. It is pleasing to note that nearly every probationer is in employment of some sort. The working of the system has been most satisfactory. Mr. R. W. Arnold, Probation Officer, Invercargill. I have the honour to submit the following report for the year ending 31st March, 1936, on the working of the probation system in the Invercargill district. Offenders Probation Act.—At the commencement of the year the register number was 23, transfers from other districts totalled 18, and new admissions 15, making a total of 56 dealt with. Transfers to other districts totalled 21, 2 were reconvicted, 15 completed probation, leaving 18 reporting at close of year. Moneys recovered: Restitution, £46 16s. 5d.; costs, £12 7s. Bd.: Total, £59 4s. Id. Three of the probationers at present on the register have actually completed the term of probation imposed by the Court, but have not as yet paid all the restitution-money owing by them. At the beginning of the year 8 were reporting under the Crimes Amendment Act. Ten were received from Borstal during the year, 5 from, other institutions, and 5 were transferred from other districts, making a total of 28 dealt with. During the year 6 completed probation, 9 were transferred to other districts, 3 had their licenses cancelled, and 1 committed a further offence, leaving 9 on the register at the end of the year. The conduct of probationers has, on the whole, been most satisfactory, although 2 probationers were sentenced to six months reformative detention and three months hard labour respectively, one received a further term of six months' probation, and 3 had their licenses cancelled and were returned to institutions. All probationers are employed, most of them working on small farms in the district, where, with a good home and a healthy life, they have every inducement to keep out of further trouble. A few are employed by the Labour and Forestry Departments at the camps and on relief works. With only one or two exceptions, those probationers owing restitution-money have clone their level best to discharge their debts, although some, earning low wages and having families to support, find this a very hard task. I desire to express my appreciation for the services rendered by Dr. Burns Watson as Honorary Medical Officer; also to the members of the Borstal Society who, as Honorary Parole Officers, have interested themselves .in a most practical manner in the welfare of the lads placed under their control. Mr. T. Stockek, Probation Officer, Napier. I have the honour to submit my report on the working of the probation system in the Napier district for the year ended 31st December, 1935. Offenders Probation Act.—There were 28 probationers on the register at the beginning of the year and 22 were received during the year, making a total of 50 probationers dealt with. Thirty-six probationers completed their probation or were transferred to other districts, leaving 14 on the register at the end of the year. The conduct of the probationers on the whole has been good, and the working of the system has been very satisfactory. The majority of probationers are employed on relief work, and it has consequently been found difficult to collect the full amounts of restitutionmoney and costs of prosecution. The amounts collected as restitution totalled £28, and the costs of prosecution totalled £27. Thanks are due to the Voluntary Probation Committee for their assistance during the year. _ . . Crimes Amendment Act.—There were 10 probationers on the register at the beginning of the year, 19 probationers were received from other districts, making a total of 29 dealt with. Twenty-three were transferred to other districts or completed probation, leaving 6 on the register at the end of the year. Without exception these probationers have behaved exceedingly well and have caused no anxiety whatever. Mr. M. Cussen, Probation Officer, Nelson. I respectfully present my report on the working of the probation system in Nelson for the year ended 31st March, 1936. ' Offenders Probation Act. —Total dealt with during the year 26, completed probation 11, total on register at 31st March, 1936, 23. Costs of prosecution and restitution-moneys collected during the year amounted to £102 2s. Id.

7