H—2o

The health of the prisoners throughout the year has been very good,, there being no serious illnesses, and no prisoners were admitted to hospital.. As in former years, the Medical Officer, Dr.- W. J. Feltham, and the Dentist, Mr. R. B. Davies, attended the medical and dental requirements of the prisoners. Religious services were conducted at the institution periodically by the following clergymen: Rev. Father Gerrahy (Catholic), Rev. W. H. D.Hartley (Church of England), and Messrs. H. L. and H. G. Forlong (Plymouth Brethren). Our thanks are again due to the Christchurch branch of the Howard League for Penal Reform for the fine cake presented at Christmas for the prisoners of 'the institution. Vegetable rations for the whole institution were supplied from the prison garden, and there was no shortage of greens and root crops throughout the year. Rangipo Prison supplied us with ration meat for a portion of the year. Towardsi the end of the year a number of cows were purchased from the Waikeria Borstal Institution and killed as required for rations. The slaughtering was. done by prison labour, and the hides were sold on the Auckland market. Killing our own beef for rations has proved very satisfactory, and it is hoped to continue this system. Dealing now with the farm, some 94 acres of pasture were top-dressed with eobaltdzed superphosphate at the rate of 3 cwt. to the acre. It is estimated that approximaely 1,700 bales of hay will be cut for winter feed for the stock from these pastures. The hay crop would probably have been heavier but for the fact that the spring was very cold and wet and pastures made very little growth. However, the haymaking season promises to be good, and what yield there is should be well saved. Approximately 38 acres of root crops, comprising swede turnips, chou mollier, and carrots, have been sown for winter feed. The milking-herd wintered well, and the stock are all in good condition, the calves being especially healthy. We were able to supply the Chateau Mental Hospital with milk throughout the year, and also to provide the butter ration from the surplus cream. The maintenance of the National Park - Taupo State Highway, the Waimarino-Ohakune State Highway, and the Bruce Road was again our major works. Metal was supplied on the order of the Public Works Department to the Raurimu-Oio State Highway. This work, which accounted for most of the production of the three quarries also provided labour for the greater part of the prisoners. All transport for the Hautu and Rangipo Prisons was undertaken by our motor-trucks. In addition, a great deal of the cartage required by the Chateau was carried out in our trucks. Wanganui Prison (Gaoler: Mr. P. S. Watters) At the commencement of the year there were 14 males in custody. During the year 80 males and 2 females were received into custody, 74 males and 2 females have been discharged during the year, 1 male inmate died in the Wanganui Public Hospital, leaving at the end of the year a total of 19 males in custody. The average daily number in custody was 18-80. The health of the inmates has been good, considering the class of inmates detained at this prison, some of whom are aged men with old complaints suffered before coming into prison, and who suffer from different disabilities on admission. One prisoner was admitted to the public hospital and is still a patient there. He is receiving medical treatment for an old complaint (sinus hip), and he is receiving penicillin injections.

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