H.—2o

9

The following is a summary of the work carried out during the year : An area of approximately 276 acres ring-fenced and subdivided into ten convenient-sized paddocks; 150 acres cleared and stumped ready for ploughing; 40 acres ploughed and partly prepared for grassing in the coming autumn ; 45 acres sown in oats ; 2-1- acres planted in potatoes ; 2 acres laid out for a vegetablegarden and planted with vegetables ; 2 acres sown in barley and maize for green feed ; ] acre sown in lucerne ; telephone-line and posts erected from the camp to the main road, a distance of one. mile and a half, and also cup-arms attached to the main line and two wires erected from the turn-off to the Tokaanu Post-office ; approximately five miles of fencing erected, consisting of one and two posts to the chain, with two, four, and eight wires ; a small bridge built over the drain on the road into the camp ; 40 acres of swamp drained, which necessitated digging about one mile and a half of drain ; one mile and a half of road formed from the main Tokaanu-Taupo Road to the camp ; about six miles of dray-track formed from, the camp to the bush ; 1,000 posts and 50 straining-posts cut and carted on to the fence-line ; 5 chains of stop-bank erected along the river boundary ; 6,000 trees, consisting of Pinus insignis and. Oregon pine, were planted along the south and south-west boundaryfence, also 2,000 Oregon pine lined out for planting during the autumn. The buildings erected and in course of erection are stable (nine stalls), loose-box, chaff-house, harness-room, and implement-shed. Incercargill Borstal Institution. The normal health of the majority of the inmates has again been very satisfactory. Of the thirteen youths treated in the hospital during the year no less than ten were cases which should have had surgical treatment prior to their conviction and admission to the institution. Three were operated upon for hernia. Others had surgical treatment for deformed toes, enlarged groin-glands, varicose veins, &c. The general conduct of the inmates has distinctly improved. Breaches of the regulations show a decrease of 45 per cent, in comparison with the previous year. There were no escapes, although a few attempts to get away were made by inmates who had been recently admitted. The evening educational classes progressed in a highly satisfactory manner. The senior schoolmaster reports : " The classes have maintained an average of 114, and the attendance has been very good. The work has been well attended to by the inmates, and. promotions were made as they were deserved. Towards the end of the year the Senior Inspector of Schools made a surprise examination of Standards V and VI, several promotions being made in consequence. There are seventeen scholars in Standard VI, and they are being prepared for certificates. The local Education Board issued, certificates of promotion to the scholars concerned, and. positions can now be obtained by lads who would not otherwise have been eligible.'" The association class, consisting of those who have earned promotion by good conduct and industry, continues to justify its existence, and is an undoubted and valuable incentive to those inmates who desire to avail themselves of the various methods by which they are encouraged and helped to make their stay in the institution of permanent value. The opportunities given to those inmates who wish to pursue such subjects as accountancy, telegraphy (ordinary and. wireless), music, languages, &c, are eagerly taken by quite a large number. They study in their own rooms, or in groups in the library. Instruction in carpentering, building, concrete-block making, tinsmithing, plumbing, blacksmithing, tailoring, bootmaking, &c, is given both practically and theoretically by competent members of the staff. As in former years, the inmates were provided with entertainments at intervals by local musical societies. The concerts were greatly enjoyed by the inmates. Lectures were given from time to time by Dr. Barclay on the functions and management of the human body. In view of the interest taken by the inmates, a prize was offered for the best synopsis of these lectures, and it was gratifying to find in some of the essays such remarkable evidence of ability. The development of the, Borstal farm lands progressed fairly satisfactorily in spite of the abnormally wet season experienced —the rainfall for the year being 52-84 in. The property looked at its best in summer when plenty of feed was available for the 620 head of cattle carried. The dampness in the, land in winter makes it necessary to obtain some higher and more sheltered area where the cows can be grazed in wet and stormy weather. The stud Friesian cattle show an improvement in milk-yield. " Woodcrest Ida's " record for the year to sth January was 621 -87 lb. butterfat and 15,736 751b. milk. The greater portion of the cows milked last season were heifers, and the butterfat returns were consequently less than what would be expected from matured cows. Next season will no doubt show increased, returns. The formation of the farm roads was pushed forward with the help of the Department's lighter, which brought large quantities of gravel. A new stable and barn built of concrete blocks was completed during the year and supplies a much-felt want. A third m likingshed was recently built and is now in use. The three dairies enable the cows to be more evenly distributed over the property, saves delay, and lessens the traffic on the roads. Napier Prison. Further alterations to the prison buildings, including the fitting-up of a new kitchen, were completed during the year. The old division for female prisoners was-removed, and the former south wing converted into more suitable accommodation for the few women prisoners received at this prison. The alterations permit of more supervision of prisoners whilst in the yards, and also tend to greater security. The whole work was carried out by prison labour under the supervision of the Officer in Charge. The few male prisoners available were employed principally in the prison quarry, where metal was produced and disposed of to the local Borough Council.

2—H. 20.