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- Social activities have been continued through the year. A class on home nursing -and one on first aid was conducted by the Red Cross Society, and the results of examinations in both classes was highly satisfactory. I would like to express my thanks and .appreciation to the Red Cross Society for providing the instructors, and to Dr. A. G. Stewart, of the New Plymouth Hospital, for the time he has devoted to coming to the prison to give lectures. A large number of prisoners have been interested in occupational hobbies in their spare time by way of rugmaking, weaving, flow r ermaking, drawing, tapestry, and other handwork, all these hobbies requiring care and concentration. An interesting hobby with a utilitarian purpose is the making of radiosonde parachutes for the Meteorological Service. The local residents continue to be interested in the welfare of the men by way of concerts, &c., which are much appreciated. A drill class is held on two nights each week. A bequest from the Gordon Bequest Fund was received and utilized in providing Christmas cheer. Extra Christmas cheer was also received from the Mayor of New Plymouth, and other local residents and organizations. The spiritual welfare of the men has been attended to by the ministers of the various ►denominations and other religious workers. Holy communion for the Anglicans and mass for the Roman Catholics is celebrated at regular intervals. Mr. Woodward, S.M., and Messrs. Weston and Mcol, Visiting Justices, paid periodical -visits during the year, and continue to be interested in the men. The staff have carried out their duties in a satisfactory manner. Paparua Prison (Superintendent: Mr. C. E. Harrington) I have the honour to submit the annual report on this institution for the year ended 31st December, 1948. On the Ist January, 1948, there were in custody 129 male prisoners. During the year the receptions totalled 589, while 581 were discharged or otherwise disposed of, thus leaving a total of 137 prisoners in custody as at the 31st December, 1948. The health of the prisoners during the past year has been generally satisfactory, -and an adequate medical service has been maintained under the control of Dr. A. C. Thomson. Eight prisoners were admitted to the local public hospital for treatment, while 1 prisoner was transferred to the Sunnyside Mental Hospital. Two prisoners received treatment for venereal disease. No deaths occurred in the prison during the year. A satisfactory standard of cleanliness and sanitation has been maintained, and no outbreaks of an epidemic nature have occurred. The services of mental specialists have been availed of on a number of occasions and their help and advice has been of great assistance in certain cases. The supplies for prisoners' rations have been of excellent quality, and adequate •quantities of potatoes and vegetables were grown on .the property. Beef for rations was killed on the place, and this was supplemented by the purchase of mutton from a local freezing-works. All of our bread was produced in the institution bakery. The conduct of prisoners throughout the year has been generally satisfactory, and -this also applied to their industry. There was the usual crop of infringements against the prison regulations, in which 50 offences were committed by 36 individuals. There -were no escapes or attempted escapes during the past year.

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