H.— 20

16

The garden has done very well considering the nature of the soil. It has almost kept the institution in vegetables lor the greater part of the year. The rations supplied have been of the very best, and it can be said that there have been no complaints of the food to the Surgeon, Visiting Justice, Inspector, or myself. The Medical Officer examines the food and kitchen in a thorough manner on his visits. The buildings are in first-class condition, and in my opinion will not require much attention for years to come, and all sanitary arrangements are in a satisfactory condition. There can be no doubt that the clean surroundings and well-ventilated buildings, with the most up-to-date bathing facilities, help to keep the prisoners in the healthy condition they are in. The general health of the prisoners has been very good, considering the great age of most of them, except for minor colds. The surgeon sees each prisoner at least once a week, and they are asked if they have any request to make. During the year one prisoner died after a few days' illness, and an inquest was held by the Coroner, who returned a verdict that death was due to natural causes. I desire to thank the many religious bodies for holding service at the prison, Protestant service being held Sunday mornings and Roman Catholic in the afternoon. I have also to thank the Salvation Army band for rendering a programme of music on Sunday afternoons on different occasions, and also the Church of Christ choir for visits. Our thanks are also due to the Rev. J. Patterson and his band of helpers for a very fine tea given to the prisoners on Christmas night, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society for a gift of tobacco, and the Cosmopolitan Club for gifts of books. During the latter part of the year an experiment was made by the Department in obtaining the bread-supply from New Plymouth Prison, and as far as this prison goes it is to be hoped that it will continue, as the bread is a very much superior article to the contract supjtly. The conduct of the officers has been satisfactory, and no changes in the staff were made during the year. Rangipo Prison (Land-development Camp), Tokaanu. (Officer in Charge, Mr. A. Banks.) There were in custody at the commencement of the year 23 males ; during the year 33 males were received, 18 were discharged, and 6 were transferred to other prisons, leaving in custody at the 31st December 32 males. The conduct and industry of the prisoners has been exceptionally good. The following is a summary of the work carried out during the year : 300 acres were cleared of tutu, manuka, and fern, and burnt off in preparation for the ploughs ; 200 acres were ploughed, disked, and harrowed, of which 200 acres were-sown down in temporary pasture; 400 chains of boundary and subdivision fences were erected, the posts being obtained from bush on the property ; 30,000 young Pinus radiata trees were planted out from our own nursery for future shelter-belts. A fine crop of hay was harvested in excellent condition, and there was ample winter feed for the cattle. A line of three-year-old bullocks trucked to the Westfield Market in the month of October sold at an average price of £15 Is. per head. The vegetable-garden was again a success, sufficient vegetables and potatoes being grown for the requirements of the prison. The health of the prisoners has been very good. The officers have carried out their duties in a very satisfactory manner. The spiritual welfare of the prisoners was attended to by the Rev. Father Langerwerf, of Tokaanu ; Rev. J. G. Laughton, of Taupo ; and Rev. W. T. F. Skey, of Taumarunui. Wellington Prison. (Superintendent, Mr. J. Down.) There were in custody at the commencement of the year 128 males ; during the year 861 males were received and 858 were discharged, leaving in custody at the 31st December 131 males. Of these 509 were discharged on expiration of hard-labour sentences, and 1 reformative detention. On recommendation of the Prisons Board the following were released : 18 hard labour, 12 reformative detention. Other sentences were 8 simple imprisonment; on bail or probation, 15 ; debtors, 30 ; transferred to the mental hospital, 6 ; acquitted after remand, 4 ; transferred to other prisons or the police, 253 ; died, 1 ; committed suicide, 1. The health of the prisoners on the whole has been good, most of the illness being of a minor nature and dealt with by the Medical Officer locally. The cases that were sent to the public hospital were men who required hospital treatment or were bordering on it when received. The case of suicide was that of a man who was received into prison for medical observation. The prisoner was visited from time to time, and had shown no tendency towards committing the rash act he did when received from the police. They did not report that this man was of suicidal tendency. The conduct of the prisoners has been good. There were no aggravated prison offences, other than breaches of the regulations, which were of a minor nature, and were dealt with by the Visiting Justice and the Superintendent. The food-supply has been very good, no complaints of any importance having been made. The meat supplied by the contractor was of good quality, and the pork supplied was grown on the prison. The whole-meal and white bread made in the prison is supplied on alternate days. The milk is also supplied from the prison dairy, and fresh vegetables from the prison garden are available throughout the year, except when vegetables are scarce, when beans and peas are substituted. The social side of the institution has been catered for, several concerts having been given. The Presbyterian Social Service Club and several ladies provided Christmas cheer, and we are also indebted to them for their efforts in procuring the services of a number of fine artists for the Christmas