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Our main work centred around road maintenance. In addition to maintaining the National Parklaupo State Highway, the Waimarino-Ohakunc State Highway, and the Bruce Road, the Public Works Department called on us to provide metal for the Eaurimu-Oio State Highway. The two local County Councils and several mills in this district also received metal from this institution. Our motor fleet undertook the usual transport for the Hautu and Rangipo Prisons. The advent of the two new Ford trucks resulted in our being able to carry out our transport programme in a much better manner. Wanganui Prison (Acting Gaoler: Mr. A. B. Condliffe) At the commencement of the year there were 15 males in custody. During the course of the year 78 males and 6 females were received into prison, whilst 79 males and 6 females were discharged on expiry of sentence or otherwise disposed of, leaving in custody at the end of the year 14 males. The daily average number in custody being 14-808. There has been a fair amount of sickness among the prisoners during the past year, but nothing unusual considering the age and physical disabilities of the class of prisoner who is received on transfer from other institutions because of his infirmities. Three prisoners were transferred to the public hospital for treatment, and 2 cases of venereal disease were treated at the hospital clinic There were no deaths. The conduct generally of the prisoners has been good, only 3 cases had to be dealt with for breaches 0 the prison regulations, 2of which were dealt with by the' Visiting Justice. There were no escapes or attempted escapes. For the employment of prisoners the prison garden and work on the maintenance of the prison grounds provided useful occupation for those physically fit to work outside. The garden provided the institution throughout the year with a good variety of vegetables, and surplus produce was disposed of at auction and realized good prices. Food supplies to the institution by the various firms under departmental contracts, &c have been satisfactory and always of good quality. Representatives of the various religious denominations have visited the prison throughout the year to hold services for the benefit of the inmates. ~ ® n . the entertainment side, the Department has occasionally provided a cinema programme, At the Christmas season members of the Church of Christ visited the prison to entertain, and also provided a much-appreciated Christmas tea. Gifts of tobacco and cigarettes were received from the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. Wellington Pbison (Superintendent: Mr. P. McGratii) At the commencement of the year there were 104 males in custody. During the year 783 males were received, whilst 818 were discharged or otherwise disposed of, leaving in prison on the night of 31st December, 1944, 69 males. ( .or Th r dischai ' ge ® were as follows : on expiration of sentence, hard labour, or simple imprisonment ' ioo ; reformative detention, ml; on special remission hard labour, 102. Released on the recommendation of the Prisons or Parole Board : hard labour, 8 ; reformative detention, 14; habitual criminals, 1. Debtors, 16; lunatics transferred to mental hospital, 5; acquitted and after remand 4 • transferred to another prison or to the police, 428 ; released on bail, 5. The greatest number in confinement over night at any one time during the year 108, and the least 69. The daily average number m prison during the year was 91-51. ' During the year the Prison Medical Officer, Dr. Douglas Brown, visited the prison regularly each week and examined all inmates requiring medical attention. The greatest number of cases of sickness at any one time during the year was 5, and the number of admissions to hospital was 10. Of the 24 cases of venereal disease received during the year, 18 were suffering from syphilis and 6 with gonorrhoea lhere were no serious cases, and the admission to hospital was nil. All cases were treated at the prison climc and also taken to the Y.D ; clmic at the Wellington Hospital for examination and treatment as directed by the medical officer in charge of that Department. There were 52 breaches of the regulations during the year, and of these, 39 were dealt with by the Visiting .Justices and the balance by myself. The total number of individuals dealt with was 38 and oi these, 2o were placed in solitary confinement. The general maintenance of the institutional buildings was carried out during the year and repairs of a minor nature were effected at the prison cottages, &c. For the Borstal Institution at Arohata 200 chairs were received from the Borstal Institution, Invercargill, fitted and finished in colour to J.ubiic Works Department specifications. A large number of wire screens were made and fitted to the institutional windows also to some of the doors. Repairs, too, were made to a large number of beds, &c On the Borstal farm an officer and twelve men have been regularly employed on general farm work. The institutional industries have been carried on in a satisfactory manner. Sandsoapmaking, soapmaking, boot-repairing for the prison, Arohata Borstal Institution, also small parcels of repairs for Napier and Wanganui Prisons. Laundry work for the Army Department, Trentham 1 itary Hospital, I olice Department, Department of Industries and Commerce, as well as institutional washing have been carried on. The Mines Department received a large quantity of kindling wood during the year, also a large number of sacks were repaired for this Department. The printing industry has maintained a good output of institutional stationery. The pig-raising industry has shown a good return for the period, and the sales were 303 baconers Ine stock is in good condition. The prison nursery and buildings have again been fully maintained, and during the year a large number of trees, &c., were supplied to the Wellington Beautifying Society The dietary scale has been well maintained and of a high standard. Supplies of fresh vegetables have been received from the prison garden, and milk and butter from the dairy industry Wholemeal and wheat-germ bread has been manufactured in the prison bakehouse and supplied as rations to the prison and the Arohata Borstal Institution.

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