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numerous minor operations, the only work which deserves special notice is that of the erection of the south and west wings, in which very rapid progress has been made. Directly and indirectly (allowing liberally for maintenance-work) about 75 per cent, of the available labour has been engaged upon this work. This means that an average of 135 men were employed on each of the 280 full working-days, being equal to the total employment of one man for 38,000 days. During the previous year the total employment was equal to one man for about 43,000 days. According to the scheduled value of said labour (3s. per man per day) the value of the labour performed was equal to £5,700, as compared with £6,450 during the previous year. At the close of the previous year —1909—very little progress had been made with the erection of the wings beyond the completion of the foundation-walls and the concrete ground floor of the south and west wings. Now all the twenty-eight ground-floor cells arc almost ready for occupation ; the fixing of the window-sashes (not yet received from the contractors), tables, shelvings, and signal fittings, also gas and water-pipe fittings, &c, being the only exceptions. The second-floor cells (seventeen) of the west wing are equally advanced, except the fittings of hammock-irons, door-gudgeons, the lockbolt striking-plates, and the hanging doors. The doors are not to hand. The first floor and balconies of west wing, and also a portion of the third-floor west balconies in the south wing, have recently been put in in concrete. These results (forty-five cells almost complete), the outcome of comparatively unskilled labour under skilful supervision, may well be emphasized, considering the various delays— viz., the enlargement of the ground-floor cell-windows, waiting for imported girders, the alterations of the original plans so as to include a third story, and the fact that the builders overtook the stonecutters in their work, owing to the reserve of cut and dressed stone having become exhausted during the last six months. Had it not been for such more or less unavoidable delays, and the fall in the available labour from the previous year (equal to the work of 32 men on 156 days) it is obvious that the progress made would have been considerably greater. At Fort Cautley Prison, where 30 prisoners have been stationed, good progress has been made with the fortification-works. The gun-pita and the magazine-store, &c, have been completed, and the earthwork in connection therewith is well advanced—so much so that the number of prisoners, with your sanction, was reduced during last month to 20 (this was the average strength prior to July, 1909, when it was increased to 30 to carry out the present work). The reduction was accomplished by the process of discharges on expiry of sentence. Very good work has been done in the various workshops—viz., the carpenters', tinsmiths', blacksmiths', bootmakers', tailors', &c. The female prisoners have been similarly and as fully employed as in former years. With much regret I have to record the death of Chief Warder H. Hawkins. He was an exceedingly painstaking and conscientious officer —a sterling fellow in every respect; he never spared himself when duty called him, and was much respected by both officers and prisoners. There have been several other changes in the staff due to resignations and transfers. The strength of the male subordinate staff now stands at 36, an increase of 4 during the year. Generally speaking, the officers have carried out their duties satisfactorily, and their conduct has been good. The First Offenders' Probation Act. There were 21 males, and 3 females on the register on the Ist January, 1910. During the year, at the Supreme Court 24 males and 1 female, and at the Magistrates' Court 4 males and 1 female— total 30—were placed on probation for periods of from three months to three years. Two males win transferred from other districts, making the total number dealt with 56 (males 51 and females 5). For the same period 16 males and 2 females carried out the conditions of their license satisfactorily. Twenty-one males and 1 female were transferred to other districts ; 2 males absconded ; 1 male was handed over to the naval authorities ; and 1 male for a commission of a series of fresh offences was sentenced to a term of imprisonment and declared an habitual criminal. In all 41 males and 3 females were struck off the register, leaving 10 males and 2 females on the books at the close of the year. One habitual criminal released on probation from the Reformatory Prison at New Plymouth was placed under my charge, and up to the present has carried out the conditions of his release. I have, &c, T. R. Pointon, The Under-Secretary for Justice, Wellington. Gaoler and Probation Officer.

DUNEDIN PRISON. Sir, — H.M. Prison, Dunedin, 13th January, 1911. I have the honour to forward the annual returns and report on this prison for year 1910. At the commencement of the year there were 60 males and 9 females in custody. During the year 384 males and 38 females were received, of which number 47 males and 7 females were received twice and upwards. The actual number of individual persons received were 345 males and 30 females, showing an increase of males and decrease of females on the previous year. The decrease of females was no doubt due to numbers being committed from the local courts to receiving-homes. The daily average in Prison was 57 males and 7-65 females. During the year 393 males and 41 females were discharged, including 2 female habitual offenders who were transferred to the New Plymouth Prison. At the end of the year 51 males and 7 females remained in custody.