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The following is a summary of the work done : Cleared, 631 acres ; pits dug, 2,456,900 ; trees planted — Pinus ponderosa, 323,000 ; Pinus strobus, 2,300 ; Pinus laricio, 288,650 ; lined out, 270,075 ; total planted, 2,146,325 : seedling larch, 1,600 ; Pinus laricio, 100,650 ; total, 102,250 : grand total, 2,248,575. Total trees planted since 1901, 13,630,409. Total area cleared, 6,217 acres. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary for Justice, Wellington. J. Down, Acting-Gaoler.

WAIPA PRISON. Sir, — H.M. Prison, Waipa, 11th January, 1911. I have the honour to report herewith on the working of this prison for the year ended 31st December, 1910. In custody on the Ist January, 18 males : received during the year, 23 males ; leaving in confinement at the end of the year, 15 males. The average number in custody was 22-46. Two prisoners escaped during the year, but were speedih recaptured, and sentenced to terms of additional imprisonment. The rations have been of the best quality and regularly supplied. The general health and conduct of the prisoners has been good. The officers have performed their duties in a satisfactory manner. The following transfer of officers took place : 1 to Auckland, and 1 from Napier. Mr. Dyer, S.M., Visiting Justice, made periodical visits to the camp. A new common room and a stable have been built during the year, and the conversion of the present huts into single huts is now being carried on. The following is the summary of the year's work : Area cleared, 258 acres ; pits dug, 9 't 8,500 ; trees planted, 125,600 ; formation of firebreaks, 175 chains ; formation of sledge-track, 132 chains ; clearing among trees ; planting blanks, 700 ; repairing roads and tools ; and general maintenance of the plantation. Trees planted during the year : Sequoia sempervirens, 14,300 ; Pinus ponderosa, 110,000 ; Siquidombar styracif.ua, 1,300 : total in new area, 125,600. Planted in blanks, Sequoia sempervirens, 700. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary for Justice, Wellington. T. H. Moynihan, Acting-Gaoler.

WELLINGTON PRISON. Sir, — H.M. Prison, Wellington, 23rd January, 1911. 1 have the honour to forward the following report on the working of this prison for the year 1910. There were in custody at the commencement of the year 176 nude and 23 females ; total, 199. The number received during the year was 1,141 males and 204 females ; total, 1,345. This number represents 956 individual persons, 853 males and 103 females, an increase of 84 males and 5 females on the previous year. The discharges during the year numbered 1,152 males and 194 females. The number in custody on 31st December was 165 males and 33 females, or a total of 198 of both sexes. This total includes 4 males and 1 female at present receiving treatment in the public Hospital. The daily average of the prison population was 158-10 males and 22-29 females; total, 180-39. Seven male offenders were declared habitual criminals during the year, 1 having been previously an inmate of the New Plymouth Reformatory. The health of the prisoners generally has been good. Eleven males and 1 female were sent to the Hospital, 1 being for medical treatment (delirium tremens), and several of the others being offenders who were received into prison in an advanced state of disease. Three of the males were returned to the prison ; 2 males died in hospital (1 from phthisis and„ 1 from pneumonia) ; the sentences of two males expired while they were in the Hospital, and they were discharged from that institution. There were 4 males and 1 female in the Hospital at the end of the year. Two males were sent to Porirua Mental Hospital during the year, one having been previously an inmate of that institution. One male prisoner, on remand, committed suicide by hanging himself with his hammock-rope tied to a ventilator in the ceiling of his cell. No reason for the act could be discovered. The prisoners were employed principally at the Mount Cook brickworks and on the Defence works at Point Halswell. Besides these works they have been engaged roadmaking, bootmaking, gardening, and on the various buildings that have been erected in connection with the prison. The bootmaking industry has been enlarged, and we are now able to cope with the demands made by our various penal institutions. This industrial branch of the prison will no doubt provide for those prisoners employed a trade by which to earn a livelihood when released. The several contractors for rations and other supplies have given every satisfaction in their respective contracts. During the year there were 44 males punished ; 28 of this number were prisoners at Point Halswell who had refused to go to work on the ground that their ration of bread was stale. An inquiry was held and the prisoners were punished by the stoppage of their tobacco for a period. The remaining 16 offences were of a minor nature, and on the whole the conduct of the prisoners has been satisfactory.

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