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In conclusion, it is gratifying to be able to report that the conduct of the staff throughout the year has been very good. Each member of the staff has carried out his duties conscientiously and in a spirit of co-operation, and I desire to record my appreciation for the assistance so afforded me in carrying out the administration of this institution during the year under review. Rangipo Prison. (Officer in Charge, Mr. A. Banks.) At the beginning of the year there were 27 men in custody. During the year 17 were received, 12 transferred to other institutions, and 17 discharged, leaving a total of 15 in custody on 31st December. The health of the prisoners has been good, and there were no admissions to hospital during the year. Divine services were held during the year by the Rev. Father Van Beek, Rev. J. G. Laughton, Mr. J. Moffatt, and Mr. H. L. Furlong. Thanks are due to the Rev. J. G. Laughton, Taupo, and the Christchurch Branch of the Howard League for Penal Reform for the luxuries supplied to the men at Christmas, also to the Mayoress's War Memorial Library League, Auckland, and the Church of Christ Scientist, Wellington, for reading-matter donated. The following is a summary of work carried out during the year ; 21 acres of virgin country cleare ; of tutu and fern, stumped of manuka, and made ready for the plough ; 47 acres ploughed and harrowed ; 127 acres temporary pasture converted to permanent; 20 acres sown direct in permanent pastured 30 acres turnips and 3 acres potatoes sown ; 2,916 acres top-dressed, and 85 chains of fence erected. The prison garden was a success and gave an ample supply of vegetables. The prison buildings were kept in good repair, and a building to accommodate four officers was erected. A new wireless set was installed, and selected programmes are given nightly. The officers carried out their duties in a most satisfactory manner, and gave me their loyal co-operation at all times Waikune Prison (Roadmaking Camp), Erua. (Officer in Charge, Mr. P. McGrath.) At the commencement of the year there were in custody 52 prisoners, and 55 were received during the year. The discharges were 8 on special remissions and 36 on probationary licenses. Altogether 21 prisoners were transferred to other institutions, leaving 42 prisoners in custody at the end of the year. The greatest number of prisoners in detention at any one time was 59, the least 42, the daily average being 45-63. One prisoner escaped during the year, but he was promptly apprehended next day and finally transferred to another prison. Two prisoners were removed to the Raetihi Hospital during the year. Both men sustained injuries at work, and one was discharged upon recovery, while the other is due for discharge early in the New Year. The general health of the men was very good. The Medical Officer and dentist made regular and frequent visits to the prison and their services were availed of by the men. During the year religious services were conducted by the Brethren, Owhango, the Rev. Noakes, Taumarunui, and the Rev. Father McGlone, Ohakune. We record our special thanks to the Christchurch Branch of the Howard League for Penal Reform and to Mr. R. W. Lithgow, Wellington, for their Christmas gifts for prisoners. As in former years, all Christmas cheer was divided equally among the men, and this, together with the extra ration of tobacco, was greatly appreciated by them. With the shorter working-week it was found necessary to provide the prisoners with some form of recreation, and this took the form of tennis, cricket, and quoits. For those men not desiring to indulge in these pastimes a suitable wireless programme was arranged, and in this respect the new commonroom was found to be a decided advantage. Here the men are allowed to play indoor games and listen to the wireless, and on wet days and in the summer evenings this room is particularly useful. Our building programme for 1937 was a substantial one and results were pleasing. The single hutments obtained from the Hautu Prison were arranged in the form of a square and were placed on the electric lighting-system. A new kitchen was erected, and a slide facing the square allowed the prisoners to draw their meals from within the square. The new bathroom provided three showers and five hand basins, while a new lavatory was built at some distance from the hutments. ; The old cell house was strengthened and completely renovated and now provides a new store and common-room with a guard room at one end. The old wooden floor was pulled up and replaced by a concrete floor. Our garden supplied all vegetables for ration purposes, while our bakehouse provided bread for Waikune and Rangipo. The meat for rations was drawn from Rangipo Prison, and we supplemented this by occasionally killing some of our own pigs. Our industrial activities were in the main road-maintenance and cartage. During the year the Public Works Department arranged and took over the maintenance of the Tongariro-Waihi Pah Road and that portion of the Tokaanu Road from the Te Whaiau Bridge to the Tongariro Bridge. To some

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