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and this results in a frequent change of officers. It should be borne in mind that to get men endowed with the necessary qualifications to undertake the responsible duties required of them, a higher remuneration should be offered than that by which their services could be obtained in ordinary employment, when the moral qualities of the individual are but slightly scanned, and where he is exempt from many restrictions and responsibilities to which a prison officer must of necessity be subjected. The lowest-grade officer should be a person superior to the ordinary run of men, that he may constantly present to those who may come under his charge an example worthy of imitation. The First Offenders' Probation Act. There was 1 male on probation at the commencement of the year; he is satisfactorily carrying out the conditions of his license. One habitual criminal released on probation from New Plymouth Prison came to reside and work in this district, and reports himself to me regularly. I have, &c, A. W. Ironside, The Under-Secretary for Justice, Wellington. Gaoler and Probation Officer.

NAPIER PRISON. Sir, — H.M. Prison, Napier, 17th January, 1912. I have the honour to forward the annual report on the working of this prison for the year ending 31st December, 1911. There were in custody at the commencement of the year 28 males and 2 females; 244 males and 18 females were received, and 248 males and 19 females discharged during the year, leaving in custody at the end of the year 24 males and 1 female. The health of the prisoners has been good, with the following exceptions : Two chronic cases, one of partial paralysis and one of rheumatism; one case of enteric, which developed immediately after admission. This prisoner was sent to the District Hospital, and was discharged convalescent, his sentence having expired in the meanwhile. Also one male lunatic, who was sent to the Porirua Mental Hospital, he having formerly been an inmate of that institution. The conduct of the prisoners has been good, only 3 cases having been dealt with by the Visiting Justice. The rations have been of the best quality, and regularly supplied. The prisoners have been mainly employed at the prison quarry procuring material for the local bodies. A certain number were employed for three months building a concrete basement for the Boys' Home. The trustees were well satisfied with this work. The First Offenders' Probation Act. There were 2 males on the probation register on the Ist January; 2 males and 1 female were placed on probation during the year; 2 males completed their term with satisf-action, 1 male and 1 female were transferred to other districts, leaving 1 male on the register at the end of the year; also 1 male reported on probation from New Plymouth, having been discharged under the Habitual Criminals Act, 1908, and retransferred to the Auckland District. I have, &c, A. A. Gideon, The Under-Secretary for Justice, Wellington. Gaoler and Probation Officer.

NEW PLYMOUTH PRISON. Sir, — H.M. Prison, New Plymouth, 23rd January, 1912. I have the honour to report herewith on the working of this prison for year ending 31st December, 1911. There were 49 males (including 26 habitual criminals) and 4 females (including 2 habitual criminals) in custody at the commencement of the year. There were 110 males (including 24 habitual criminals) and 5 females (including -3 habitual criminals) received during the year, 98 males, of whom 12 were habituals, and 7 females, 3 of whom were habituals, were discharged; leaving in custody at end of year 61 males, of whom 38 were habituals, and 2 females, both habitual criminals. Employment or homes were found for all habituals discharged, and also for a large number of hard-labour prisoners and others discharged after remand, &c. A number of these are doing well. The health of prisoners has been good. Three males were admitted to the hospital. Of these 2 required hospital treatment on admission. The conduct and industry of the prisoners has been good. The rations and meat supplied have been of excellent quality, and an abundance of vegetables supplied from the prison garden.