1T.—20

The industrial activities of the institution have been again fully carried on during the year with satisfactory results, and all prison labour has been fully utilized. A number of the most suitable prisoners have been transferred to country institutions, and in the great majority of these transfers the individuals are appreciative of the opportunity afforded them to be trusted and to lead a freer life in the open. The boot factory has been fully manned and has again produced all mental hospital footwear requirements and has also produced a number of military and Air Force boots and has repaired children's footwear for the Child Welfare Department. A considerable number of leather satchels were made for the Post and Telegraph Department, and all necessary repairs on worn satchels carried out. The tailoring factory has worked at full pressure making garments for mental hospitals, prison institutions, and National Service Department. This branch has also laundered and repaired 33,000 mail and parcel bags for the Post and Telegraph Department, 461 office cushions were made for other Departments, also 1,755 pairs of new socks were made and 1,623 pairs refooted. Tinsmithing has been continued, and supplies of tinware have been manufactured for the various Prison Department institutions. The carpenter's workshop has been employed on cabinets for Registrar-General's Department, and repairs and renovations for this institution. The laundering section has continued to deal with all institutional requirements and has laundered a large number of blankets for Defence and Air Force Departments and Police Department. There was also manufactured 8,000 bars of soap, sufficient to meet all laundry and institutional requirements. The manufacture of tobacco has been continued, and the whole of the Prisons Department institutional requirements has been met. The leaf issued is mostly the product of the Waikeria Farm. Quarrying and crushing metal screenings has been actively carried on during the year, and these products have been principally used by Public Works and Railway Departments and local bodies, and used considerably at the naval base on defence works. The prison garden has produced nearly all vegetable requirements, and with some supplies of roots from Waikeria Farm has made ample vegetable supplies. The food has been of first-class quality; meat and milk has been supplied from Waikeria Farm, and bread has been made in the institutional bakery here. The institutional school has been continued during the year under the direction of Dr. W. S. Dale as master, and he has been assisted by two members of the staff and reports as follows : — " During the year the senior section of the school has, in addition to instruction in the ' tool' subjects, been making a study of the principles involved in the Atlantic Charter, and its effect on people in other countries. This has led to a study of the different types of Government, and their implications. Through this medium it has been possible to stimulate interest in both history and geography to an astonishing degree. Discussion and comment have played a part in helping the men to express themselves clearly and logically. Considerable work has been done in the field of literature. Types of books have been studied and some attempt has been made to mould taste in both reading and resultant discussions. Film criticism, and the ' reason why ' of good and bad films, types of films, as well as cycles of film types, have been the basis for interesting studies and discussion by the class. Keen interest has been taken in the war, which has been followed from the newspaper and radio reports. The lower part of the school has made sound progress in the ' tool' subjects, some of the men having covered nearly two years' work during the past twelve months. All appear to be keen on becoming proficient. Additional reading-matter suitable for senior school use would be a valuable asset to the school. As in previous years, the general standard of the Maori entrants to school is very low, but they appear to welcome the opportunity offered by the school and try to do a good job. The use of films has been severely restricted this year owing to short supply of material. The Visual Education Association has co-operated with me most willingly. " On the whole the year has been very successful, and it is hoped that the school has played a part in bringing about the rehabilitation of at least some of the men, who, through the school, have been able to find themselves. " 1 should like to express my sincere thanks to the Superintendent, Mr. Leggett, who has been most sympathetic to the work of the school, and who has done all he coukl to make for any measure of success it has attained. Mr. Warner merits all the confidence reposed, in him, and teaches with the skill of a trained teacher. To the many officers of the prison who have indirectly shown their sympathy with the work I tender my thanks." The physical-drill class has been continued twice weekly under the direction of a member of the disciplinary staff, and this class is principally for the benefit of the younger prisoners employed in workshops and on domestic work. The screening of motion pictures provided by the Department has been continued during the year and has been much appreciated. The wireless installation to cells has fully functioned and is popular entertainment and a prized privilege. Christmas cheer of very ample proportions was again provided by various organizations and social workers, and again much appreciated by the inmates. The spiritual welfare of the prisoners has been amply provided for by the various denominations holding Sunday services and giving individual visits where necessary. The standard of discipline maintained has been creditable to the staff generally, who have been working under short-staffed conditions, with long hours, and this is inevitable under present war conditions. ihe officers in charge of industrial activities have by patience and perseverance produced very satisfactory results, both in quantity and quality of production,

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