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First Offenders' Probation Act There were no first offenders on the probation register of this district at the commencement of the year, and none were placed on probation by the local Court during the year. Those admitted to probation at the Supreme Court, Christchurch, were dealt with by the Probation Officer for that district. One first offender on probation was received on transfer from Wellington, and he, having complied with the conditions of his license satisfactorily, was discharged.

NAPIER PRISON. The health of the prisoners has been very good. The greatest number of cases of sickness at any one time was 3 males and 1 female. There were 4 admissions to District Hospital. During the year the prisoners have been employed in the Borough Council quarry, and in cleaning the Court buildings and the police-station. The sum of £318 13s. 3d. was banked to the credit of the Public Account for sale of stone, rubble, mortar, sand, &c. The spiritual needs of the prisoners were provided for, clergymen and lay readers of the various denominations visiting regularly. On occasions two services were held on Sundays. The First Offenders' Probation Act On the Ist January, 1915, there was 1 male probationer on the register of this district. Two males were placed on probation, and 6 were received on transfer from other districts (4 being on license under the Crimes Act). Four were transferred to other districts, 1 has failed to report since license was issued, and 1 completed his term satisfactorily. There were 3 males on the books on the last day of the year. No females were dealt with during the year.

NEW PLYMOUTH PRISON. The general conduct of prisoners during the year has on the whole been good. The employment at this Prison is quarrying, and metal to the value of £467 17s. 9<l. was sold. There is also a little gardening carried on, and vegetables to the value of £21 lis. Bd. have been supplied to Roto Aira Prison, also vegetables to the value of £4 13s. sd. have been sold, and the vegetables required for this Prison supplied. Boots, shirts, flannels, and drawers for prisoners' wear are also manufactured. The clergymen of the various denominations held their religious services regularly during the year. I have to thank the Rev. Frank Hales and Mr. C. Ahier, Visiting Justice, for gifts of books and magazines for the Prison library. First Offenders' Probation Act, 1908. There was 1 male reporting at the commencement of the year, and 1. was received on transfer. Of these, 1 was transferred to another district, leaving 1 reporting in this district on the 31st December, 1915. Probationers under the Crimes Amendment Act, 1910. There was 1 male reporting in this district at the commencement of the year, 9 males were placed on probation, and 2 received on transfer : total, 12. Of this number 10 were transferred to other districts, leaving 2 reporting on the 31st December, 1915.

PAPARUA PRISON. General farming and building operations were commenced with prison labour on the 20th January, 1915. The daily average number of prisoners during the year was 15:79. The health of the prisoners has been very good. There were no cases of sickness except of a trivial nature. During the year the following works were carried out by prison labour. A cell-house to accommodate 24 prisoners, with two rooms for officers, was built; a bathhouse, 26ft. by 12ft., containing bath and four shower-baths, also accommodation for dressing, was erected; alterations to cookhouse and erection of new kitchen with space to take a Roberts cooker; alterations to old cell-house to provide office, library, store-room, laundry, and officers' mess-room. An old stable was removed from Bowlker's farm to the prison-site. This was converted into a stable to accommodate six horses, also to provide granary, 34 ft. by 15 ft., with feed and harness rooms, also implement-shed with sufficient space to store all the farm implements, &c. An artesian well was sunk to a depth of 75 ft., and an 8 ft. windmill erected over same. The following works were carried out in connection with the new Prison. A tramway 20 chains in length has been laid for the conveyance of shingle for blockmaking and other material

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