H.— 20

9

The rations supplied have been of good quality. The prisoners have been employed principally in quarrying, the revenue derived from the sale of metal and gravel obtained from this source being £644. The conduct of the officers has been good. Fibst Offenders , Probation Act. There was 1 youth on probation at the commencement of the year. He carried out the conditions satisfactorily, and was discharged. Two males were placed on probation during the year, and were transferred to other districts. I have, &c, J. Coyle, The Under-Secretary for Justice, Wellington. Gaoler and Probation Officer. NAPIER PRISON. Sin, — H.M. Prison, Napier, 24th January, 1914. I have the honour to submit the following report on the working of this prison for the year ending 31st December, 1913. There were 17 males and no females in custody on the Ist January, 1913. During the year 268 males and 9 females were received, while 259 males and 9 females were discharged, leaving 26 males in custody on the 31st December last. The health of the prisoners has been good. One male prisoner was removed to the district Hospital, and one who developed insanity was transferred to the Porirua Mental Hospital. The conduct and industry of the prisoners has been good, there being only 6 cases requiring punishment, all for minor offences. The provisions supplied by the various contractors have been of excellent quality. The conduct of the staff has been satisfactory. Two officers were transferred and 2 received on transfer from other prisons. The First Offenders' Probation Act. On the Ist January, 1913, there were 4 men on probation. Nine were placed on probation during the year and 1 received on transfer from another district. Six were transferred to other districts, 4 completed their terms satisfactorily, leaving 4 reporting at the end of the year. I have, A-c, A. A. Gideon, The Under-Secretary for Justice, Wellington. Gaoler and Probation Officer.

WELLINGTON PRISON. Sir, — H.M. Prison, Wellington, 12th March. 1914. I have the honour to submit the following report on the working of this prison for the year ended 31st December, 1913. There were in custody on the Ist January, 19L3, 157 males and 22 females, a total of 179; 1,425 males and 245 females were received during the year : total, 1,670, of which 140 were received twice, 42 thrice, 29 four times, 44 five times and upwards. During the year 1,403 males and 250 females were discharged; 62 males were transferred to tree-planting or other prisons; 7 males and 1 female were sent to the public Hospital, and were returned after treatment; 1 male undergoing treatment at the end of last year was returned after an operation had been performed, but bad to be sent again soon afterwards to the Hospital for further treatment; 3 males and 1 female were transferred to the Mental Hospital at Porirua; 3 females declared to be habitual criminals were transferred to Addington Prison. There wejG 2 deaths during the year —both males —1 committed for medical treatment, who was found on examination to be suffering from a fracture of the skull, died on the following day; the other was in an advanced state of phthisis when received. Inquests were held and verdicts returned in each case in accordance with the medical evidence. Two males escaped from the prison, but were recaptured on the following day. One of the same men escaped again when exercising in the yard, and was recaptured within a few hours. Both prisoners were subsequently dealt with by the Stipendiary Magistrate, and sentenced to further terms of imprisonment. The health of prisoners has been good, very few cases of illness of a serious nature occurring. The rations supplied have been of good quality. On one occasion complaint was made as to the quality of the bread ration, but independent tests proved the bread wholesome. The conduct of prisoners generally has been good. Punishments for breaches of regulations were more numerous than in previous years, due to concerted action on the part of a few agitators. These were charged, and dealt with by a Visiting Justice, who punished them by inflicting fines, forfeiture of marks, and sentencing them to terms of bread and water. Brickmaking at Mount Cook was still the principal industry, and at the Terrace bootmaking, gardening, &c., were carried on as usual. The females were employed at laundry, knitting, and other suitable work. At Point Halswell, in addition to the usual work for the Defence Department, tree-planting has been carried on, and about 131,300 trees, principally pines, were planted and are doing well, although the continual dry weather after the planting was unfavourable to their growth.

2—H. 20.