Page image

H—2o

There were also a number of concerts by the Civic Band and other interested parties and several musical evenings with gramophone records ■and string instruments. During the year a Social Club, under the direction of one of the members of the staff, was inaugurated, with the main emphasis upon discovering and utilizing talents among the inmates themselves. It has worked out very successfully and was always popular with the boys. A Maori party, which was also organized by a member of the staff, was not only an influence for good among the Maori lads themselves, but provided excellent entertainment in the form of > Maori hakas and songs. During the year an anonymous donor presented three valuable string instruments to the institution. The citizens of Invereargill were specially generous this year, in that they gave over £36 to our Borstal Christmas Cheer and Welfare Fund. With the aid of this fund we were able to supply extras for the Christmas and New Year periods and were also able to ensure that inmates whose parents or friends had not sent parcels received cake, sweets, and cigarettes on Christmas Day. During the year the Department added a 16 mm. sound projector to the equipment of the institution, and since then weekly programmes of educational and entertaining pictures have been screened. They have been greatly appreciated by the inmates and have become an important part of our weekly programme. Sports and Recreation: Cricket, football, and baseball teams were again entered in the competitions arranged by the local bodies, and the Borstal teams all made a good impression. Three asphalt tennis-courts provide ample scope for those wanting to play that game. Swimming is encouraged, and our heated pool lends itself to swimming and life-saving activities all the year round. A drill squad which meets twice a week throughout the year under the supervision of a trained gymnast is popular with the inmates. Athletic sports are encouraged, and three or four times a year competitions among the inmates are held with prizes for the winners. Library Facilities: During the past , few years we have relied mainly upon the Country Library Service for our supply of books, but now that books are becoming more readily available we are seeking to build up our own institution library again. We have set up a book binding and repairing department, and are hopeful that before long we may be able to offer our services to other libraries. The institution subscribes to a number of magazines for the use of inmates, and interested friends also keep us supplied with this type of reading matter. Religious Services: Regular services are provided at the institution every Sunday by the members of the Invereargill Ministers' Association. Instruction classes are held weekly by a representative of the Roman Catholic Church; there is also a weekly service by a representative of the Salvation Army and a weekly Bible class by a local minister. Special services were conducted on Good Friday, Anzac Day, and Christmas Day. Other Activities: The members of the Hon. Ladies' Borstal Committee, Mrs, R. Henderson, and Mrs. J. D. Campbell continued to interest themselves in the welfare of the boys visiting them and providing them with sweets whenever the opportunity presented itself. The Borstal Visiting Committee attended the institution to hold meetings as required in order to make recommendations to the Prisons Board concerning the release of boys deserving special consideration. The Chairman of the

31