H.—2o,

The Medical Officers, in addition to undertaking the care of the sick, examine all prisoners before transfer from the city prisons to the farms and camps. Where it is considered that a mental examination would assist in the treatment of a prisoner this is arranged through the Mental Hospitals Department, which Department's specialist officers co-operate in a most helpful manner. Four prisoners were transferred to mental hospitals under the provisions of section 34 of the Mental Defectives Act; 4 were transferred for special observation under section 37, and 14 were transferred after sentence under the provisions of section 38. The infirmary at Mount Eden has been renovated, and certain essential improvements for the comfort of sick prisoners have been effected. A sick bay has been provided at Waikeria, where special attention has been given to light, ventilation, and warmth, and this will provide a long-felt want for the treatment of those suffering from minor ailments, but, as heretofore, the more serious cases will be sent into hospital. The institution infirmary at the Invercargill Borstal has beeri thoroughly renovated and modernized and equipped with up-to-date convenient hospital furnishings. This portion of the institution has been placed in charge of the Matron, under the guidance of the Institution Medical Officer. Part of the duty of Medical Officers is to inspect from time to time the rations supplied, and the reports indicate that these are liberal and well balanced. The scale of rations prescribes minimal quantities only. In actual practice the issues are generous and the scale is usually exceeded. Complaints in respect of food are exceedingly rare, and it is found that prisoners almost invariably thrive and improve in physical condition on the regular dietary provided. Conclusion. The work of the Department has been materially helped by the generous assistance of a large body of voluntary workers who have visited the institutions and have undertaken the after-care and placement of discharged prisoners. In this connection I desire to mention specially the Women's Borstal Association, the Young Men's Borstal Association, the Visiting Committees, the Prisoners' Aid Societies, the Probation Committees, and the Justices Association. I desire to place on record my appreciation of the friendly co-operation and assistance given by the clergymen and missioners of the various religious denominations, the officers of the Salvation Army and others who have regularly visited the institutions to minister to the spiritual well-being of the prisoners. I also wish to express my appreciation of your own generous and sympathetic consideration, and to record my grateful thanks to the officers of the Department for their loyal support during the year. B. L. Dallard, Controller-General of Prisons.

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