H.—2o

15

First Offenders' Probation Act. There was 1 youth on probation at the beginning of the year. He carried out the conditions in a satisfactory manner, and was discharged. One young man was placed on probation during the year. He is still on the list, and doing well. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary for Justice, Wellington. J Coyle, Gaoler. KAINGAROA PRISON. Sib, — H.M. Prison, Kaingaroa, 13th January, 1913. I have the honour to forward herewith my report on the working of this Prison for the year ended 31st December, 1912, together with the usual annual returns. There were in confinement on the Ist January, 1912, 29 males; received during the year, 35 males; discharged on expiration of sentence, 16 males; released after reformative detention, 10 males; transferred to another prison, 3 males; in custody at the end of the year, 35 males: daily average, 3544 males. The health of the prisoners generally has been good, there being 12 cases of sickness over forty-eight hours during the year, 4 individuals requiring medical attention. In one instance it was found necessary to remove the prisoner to the Sanatorium Hospital, Rotorua, for treatment, as it was thought to be an early case of general paralysis, but after a few days' treatment there the prisoner was sufficiently recovered to be removed to Auckland Prison for observation. One accident occurred during the year, by a prisoner chopping off his left thumb at the first joint while splitting firewood, necessitating an operation to have the injured thumb amputated at the second joint. The wound has now completely healed, and the prisoner is again able to perform his usual labour. The conduct of the prisoners, on the whole, has been very satisfactory, there being 10 reports against 7 prisoners. Three of the offenders were punished by the Visiting Justice by loss of marks, 1 received an additional sentence for escaping from legal custocty, 1. was sentenced to an additional term of reformative treatment for damaging prison property. The remaining cases, being of a trivial nature, were met by the offenders losing their good-conduct privileges for the time being. The prisoners were removed from the Waiotapu Prison to Kaingaroa on the 15th November last, and are now employed on the new area. In addition to the usual plantation-work as summarized hereunder, parties have been employed in the erection of Forestry Department buildings, residence for the Acting-Gaoler, stable for prison horses, installation -of water-supply and drainage system, removal of prison buildings from Waiotapu Prison and re-erection at this Prison. The expenditure and cost per prisoner shows an increase for the year, and is dua to the removal of the Prison and erection of new buildings. The various food-supplies have been of good quality. The conduct of the staff generally has been good, three officers being transferred to and from the Prison to meet the requirement of the service. Summary of year's plantation-work: Pitting, 50,000; tree planting, 1,126,825; replanting failures, 266,075; clearing for tree-planting and general maintenance, road-making, clearing around young trees, clearing fire-breaks, and repairing tools. I have, &c, W. T. Leggett, The Under-Secretary for Justice, Wellington. Acting-Gaoler. WAIPA PRISON. Sir, — H.M. Prison, Waipa, Bth January, 1913. I have the honour to report on the working of this Prison for Ihe year ending 31st December, 1912. There were 24 males, including 1 for reformative detention, in custody at the commencement of the year; received, 25 males; transferred, 8 (this includes 1 transferred to Auckland for medical treatment, and 1 for escaping); discharged, 21; in custody at the end of the year, 20 males. The general health of the prisoners has been good, and, with two exceptions, their conduct has been excellent. One prisoner, for attempting to send letters out of the camp, was punished by having all his special marks cancelled. One prisoner escaped from the Prison. He was recaptured and sentenced at the Magistrate's Court, Rotorua, to two years' hard labour and transferred to Auckland. The rations have been of the best quality and regularly supplied. Several alterations have been made to the buildings, and a dairy has been built. A boat has been built at the camp to convey the prisoners to and from the island to work. Several acres are under cultivation, and the camp is kept well supplied with vegetables. The conduct of the officers has been good.