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Visiting Committee, Mr. R. C. Abernethy, S.M., has been helpful at all times, and our special thanks are due to him for the keen interest he has. taken in the welfare of the institution. During the year a number of parents and friends have come from northern cities to visit boys and special facilities were provided to enablethem to visit as often as possible during their stay. New Buildings and Equipment needed.—At the present time our work is hampered to some extent by a lack of suitable buildings and equipment. Our kitchen and dining-room block badly needs rebuilding and reorganization. We need a new gymnasium, properly equipped workshops, and a central store, more class-rooms, and better accommodation for staff. Tentativeplans have been drawn up incorporating these changes, and it is hoped that before long some steps may be taken to improve the situation. Rehabilitation of Inmates. —When inmates are released the Department makes provision for clothing and footwear for those whose clothes are not in good order. It is our desire that inmates should not only be a credit to the institution, but that they should also be self-respecting citizens. A minimum amount of ready cash has also been made available to all inmates on release, and in cases of hardship provision has been made for board and lodging during the first few weeks after discharge. Probation Officers in th various centres are primarily responsible for the welfare of inmates after discharge from the institution, but there is room for more interest in these boys by responsible organizations and citizens. The first few months after release are often very difficult and a wise counsellor and friend would sometimes be able to save a boy from a further downfall. All discharged inmates were referred to the Man-power Officer in the centre to which they returned, and Man-power Officers co-operated fully in establishing lads in employment. In the future it is hoped to establish a close co-operation with the Vocational Guidance Officers in the various communities. Staff. —Early in the year Mr. R. W. Arnold, who had been Superintendent for many years, retired at the end of forty years' service. I took over charge of the institution towards the end of March, 1945. Near the end of theyear we welcomed Miss D. Pairweather on her return to the staff as Matron after an absence of three years. She fills a very important place in the life of the institution and her services are greatly appreciated. A number of new members of staff have been taken on, some of whom will eventually become permanent staff members. It is hoped that in the near future a. systematic method of training new officers will be worked out. No staff can expect to do its best work unless its members are trained both in the theoretical and practical sides of the task it seeks to carry out. This is particularly true in the case of the staff of an institution such as theBorstal, where so much depends upon the influence of the individual officeron the boys under his care. My warm thanks are due to the members of the staff for their wholehearted co-operation and loyalty during the year. I must also express my appreciation of the backing and support given to me by the Controller-General,, the Inspector of Borstals, and by the Head Office staff. Waikeria Borstal Institution (Te Awamutu) (Superintendent: Mr. P. McMillan) I have the honour to present my annual report on the activities of this institution for the year 1945. It is with much regret that we record the sudden death on the Ist June, 1945, of Mr. David Dunlop, who had held the position of Superintendent of the institution for twenty years. His death, after an illness of only two*

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