H—2o

It is proper that full credit should be given to visitors who give considerable time to assist inmates, both while here and after their release. To the various ministers of religion, who are most regular in their attendance and also very helpful in their suggestions, I tender my thanks. I would make special mention to the Salvation Army, Methodist, and Baptist ministers who supplied to each inmate a small parcel and a card at Christmas. If it were that each inmate would live up to the promises made, on his release, then the work of each minister would be extremely valuable. In general there have been no staff difficulties throughout the year. The establishment has been kept reasonably full and there have been fewer changes by resignation and transfer than in some years. Waikune Prison (Superintendent: Mr. J. G. Quill) At the commencement of the year there were in custody 63 prisoners, and 74 were received during the year. During the year the discharges were 24 on remission and 37 on probationary licence and 20 prisoners were transferred to other institutions. The number of prisoners in custody at the close of the year was 56. The greatest number of prisoners in detention at any time was 76 and the least 53, the daily average being 69-71. There were 5 escapes involving 8 prisoners during the year. All prisoners except 1 were recaptured within a matter of hours while the latter was apprehended within a month. Two claimed that they had no intention of escaping and gave themselves up at the prison. The general health of the prisoners at this institution has been excellent throughout the year. Five prisoners were admitted to the Kaetihi Public Hospital during the year, 3 of them for minor operations, and all were returned to the prison completely recovered. The medical officer, Dr. L. E. Jordan, of Ohakune, made frequent visits to the institution throughout the year. Dental attention, as required, was undertaken by Mr. Davies of Raetihi at his surgery there. Religious services were conducted at the prison at frequent intervals by the following : Reverend Father J. J. Garrahy (Catholic) and Messrs. H. L. and H. G. Forlong (Plymouth Brethern). As in former years it is my privilege to acknowledge our very great appreciation of the action of the Christchurch branch of the Howard League for Penal Reform in providing a large Christmas cake for the inmates of the institution. Our thanks are due too for the generous supplies of literature sent along by the First Church of Christ, Miss B. E. Baughan, of Christchurch, and to the branch of the Prison Mission, London, which each year provides some magnificent Christmas letters for the inmates. The motion pictures screened by the Department at intervals throughout the year were of a high standard and in a country institution such as this, they are particularly appreciated by the inmates. Although fresh vegetables are always provided for rations from the prison garden, this year was something of a record in so far as all vegetables were concerned. A fairly early spring saw rapid growth with the seedlings and an excellent assortment of all vegetables resulted. We again killed our own beef for rations. The bread baked in our bakehouse has been of good quality and in addition to providing the ration here, regular supplies have been maintained to the Rangipo Prison. During the Christmas holidays the prisoners organized and enjoyed several sports meetings, while during the evenings concerts were organized and enjoyed and several of the performers showed considerable talent. The pastures have been in excellent condition and this year's hay crop was a record one. The crops, too, promise to be very good, but a strict watch has to be kept on the deer otherwise they do untold damage. The dairy herd is doing well and I think our cream-production this year will be greater than ever. The pigs are in good condition.

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