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PRISONS AND PENAL INSTITUTIONS: EPITOME OF REPORTS OE CONTROLLING OFFICERS. Auckland Prison. (Superintendent, Mr. J. Dickison.) The daily average on the sick-muster was : Males, 8-06 ; females, 0-015. Considering that the daily average of prisoners in custody during the year was 405 —an exceptionally high figure—it must be admitted that the health of the inmates generally has been excellent, particularly when recognition is given to the fact that included in the muster during the year is a number of aged and infirm prisoners who are in constant need of medical attention during confinement, whilst allowance has also to be made for the number of prisoners incapacitated as the result of receiving petty injuries at labour. Due allowance having been made, it will be conceded that the health of the inmates of this institution has been of a high standard during the period under review. I have to record my appreciation of the excellent co-operation of the Superintendent of the Auckland Mental Hospital in the matter of complying with the fairly frequent requests made during the past year for the services of an alienist to conduct the examination of mental defectives who have been received into my custody. This ready spirit of co-operation has enabled essential transfers to the mental hospital to be effected with the minimum of delay, and has adequately disposed of the possibility of any undue hardship. The prison school has continued to be controlled by L. Grice, M.A., and the excellent results of his tutorship during the year are amply evidenced by the annual examination return. Evening drill has been continued, the prisoners benefiting considerably therefrom. The prison's industrial activities have continued to furnish an excellent return, particularly the quarry. Concerts have been held periodically at the prison, the excellent programmes presented being keenly enjoyed by the inmates. Lectures under the auspices of the Workers' Educational Association have continued to be given monthly, and have proved both instructive and enjoyable. Throughout the year the various denominations arranged for services each Sunday, and sincere thanks are due to the interested parties, who spare no effort to make these services enjoyable as well as beneficial to the inmates in attendance. The Anglican gaol chaplain (the Rev. G. E. Moreton) has been most assiduous in attending to the needs of prisoners both during confinement and subsequent to discharge, and there is no doubt that his efforts have resulted in many a discharged prisoner having an increased chance of making good. Mr. Moreton spares no effort in giving attention to the many and varied calls made upon his services throughout the year. It might be also mentioned that Staff Chaplain Holmes, of the Salvation Army, has at all times shown readiness to assist the prisoners, and has done much good work in this direction. Hautu Prison. (Officer in Charge, Mr. T. Banks.) The following is a summary of the work carried out during the year : 566 acres stumped of tutu and manuka, cleared of fern, ready for ploughing ; 600 acres ploughed ; 335 acres sown down in permanent pasture, 100 acres in turnips, and 2 acres in potatoes. 45 acres of grass was mown, producing 80 tons of hay, and 100 acres, producing 300 tons of ensilage ; 1,000 acres of pasture was top-dressed ; and three miles of new drains were dug. The health of the prisoners has been exceptionally good, there being no cases of sickness. The conduct and industry of the prisoners, on the whole, has been satisfactory, the men taking a keen interest in the farm-work. There were six prisoners punished for breaches of regulations, and one escaped and was recaptured. New Plymouth Prison. (Superintendent, Mr. W. Dineen.) The quarry and garden industries have been carried on throughout the year, and the returns therefrom have been well kept up. The limited area of ground available for gardening purposes makes it difficult to utilize the available labour to the best advantage. During the year the advice of the Horticulture Department was sought to help in devising means of increasing the output from the garden. The health of the prisoners has been good, and no case of serious illness arose, although one man required surgical treatment in the public hospital for an old-standing internal trouble. A physical-culture class under the instructorship of one of the prisoners has been commenced. The success of this has been very gratifying, and it has been the means of considerably improving the physical and in some cases the mental condition of the members of the class. The keenness, alertness, and general efficiency of the men have been very favourably commented upon by several gentlemen who have witnessed displays by the class.

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