H.— 20b

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Mr. E. Ching, Probation Officer, Wanganui. I respectfully beg to submit my annual report for the year 1928. During the year there were placed on the register 24 males and 2 females, and at the end of the year there remained on the register 18 males and 4 females. The conduct of the probationers has been very good, there being but two who did not comply with their terms. One left the district and has not been found, and the other committed a fresh offence, was convicted, and received a sentence. This record clearly shows that the granting of probation has been fully justified, and shows also sound judgment on the part of the Magistrates. I am pleased to say that the greater part of the moneys ordered to be paid are being paid. Restitution in some instances may be slow, but, taking into consideration the fact that there is much unemployment and many of the probationers have to make a fresh start in life, there is little fault to be found. Our thanks are due to the voluntary committee for its great assistance in helping the probationers to obtain work and in many other ways. Once more I have to thank the Court officials, police, and also the general public for the many acts of courtesy to me, and for the assistance given me in my work. During the year there were placed on the register of those discharged from prison 10 men, and so far they are all doing well. Mr. H. N. Richardson, Probation Officer, Gisborne. I beg to forward my report, on probationers dealt with at Gisborne during 1928. Offenders Probation Act, 1920.—0n register, Ist January, 1928, 23; placed on probation during the year, 29 ; received from other districts, 7 : total, 59. Transferred to other districts, 20; completed probation and discharged, 8 ; leaving 31 on the register on the 31st December, 1928. Five were rearrested and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment. Crimes Amendment Act. —On register, Ist January, 1928, 1 ; received from other districts, 3 ; reporting on 31st December, 1928, 2. I wish to thank the Gisborne Voluntary Probation Committee for help rendered in many directions during the year. Work has been difficult to find owing to general unemployment. I have been asked to report on a number of cases during the year, for the Magistrate's Court, and in most cases probation has been granted when recommended. Moneys ordered to be paid by the Court have been paid fairly regularly. With few exceptions the general conduct of those admitted to probation has been satisfactory.

STATISTICS. OFFENDERS PROBATION ACT, 1920. Ages and Terms of Probation of the Offenders admitted to Probation during the Year 1928.

Summary of Cases dealt with during the Year 1928. Admitted to Deferred T, , Probation. Sentence. 0 a ' Number reporting on Ist January, 1928 .. .. .. 1,037 121 1,158 Admitted to probation during 1928 .. .. .. .. 615 154 769 Totals .. .. .. .. 1,652 275 1,927 Completed probation during the year .. .. .. .. 463 99 562 Discharged by the Prisons Board .. .. .. . . 15 .. 15 Deceased .. .. .. .. . ■ .. .. 1 .. 1 Left the Dominion .. .. . . . . .. .. 20 3 23 Absconded and not traced (term expired) \. .. . . 38 8 46 Resentenced on the original charge .. .. .. .. 24 10 34 Committed further offences .. .. .. .. .. 63 5 68 Totals .. .. .. .. 624 125 749 Number reporting at 31st December .. .. .. .. 1,028 150 1,178

. . „ One Eighteen Two Three Four Five ™ , , Age, m Years. Months y Months. , Years. Years. Years. Years. ' TotaL or under. [ Under 20 years of age 12 67 1 78 22 1 .. 181 20 and under 25 12 84 1 69 24 1 1 192 25 „ 30 6 37 2 24 10 1 1 81 30 „ 40 7 28 1 37 13 .. .. 86 40 „ 50 3 20 1 21 10 1 1 57 50 „ 60 2 4 .. 9 2 .. .. 17 60 „ 70 .... 1 .. .. .. .. .. 1 Totals .. 42 241 6 238 81 4 3 615