H.—2o.

The health of the prisoners was satisfactory throughout the year. There were no admissions to hospital through sickness. It was, however, found necessary to remove one prisoner to hospital to receive treatment for a facial injury sustained when accidently struck by a piece of falling timber. The injury was slight, and after a fortnight in Raetihi Public Hospital the prisoner was returned to custody fully recovered. A "fatal accident occurred on. the 7th October whilst the men were excavating at the Wairehau Bridge site. The District Engineer of the Public Works Department examined the trench and reported that every reasonable precaution had been taken to safeguard the men. The District Coroner held an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the accident and found that no blame was attachable to any one. The conduct of the prisoners was satisfactory during the year. Five prisoners escaped, but were recaptured after brief liberty. They were later brought before Court and sentenced to further terms of imprisonment. Disciplinary punishment for breaches of the regulations was administered by the Visiting Justice in forty-five cases, being mostly of a minor nature. Medical treatment was provided by the Medical Officer, Dr. W. J. Feltham, who made frequent visits to the institution and carried out his duties in a painstaking manner. Facilities for adequate dental treatment were provided as usual. Religious services were again provided during the year by visiting chaplains from Ohakune and Taumarunui. The food-supplies were of very good quality. Vegetables (with the exception of potatoes) were obtained from the prison garden. The issues were ample and varied. Good-quality beef was obtained from stock killed at Rangipo Prison, and, with a view of further varying the diet of the inmates, a number of pigs were slaughtered at Waikune for subsequent issue as rations. Bread-supplies continue to be made at the prison bakery where a high-grade loaf is manufactured. It is most noticeable that during the past few years complaints from the prisoners regarding the quality or the inadequacy of the present scale of ration aie very rare indeed. As in past years our industrial activities are mainly in connection with roadworks. The financial state of the country has not, as yet, permitted the resumption of capital expenditure of roadworks to any great extent with the result that our activities are now mainly on road-maintenance. At the present time approximately seventy-one miles of highway is being maintained by prison labour and motors supplied from this prison. The roads were kept in good order during the year. The roads were widened at many points and improvements were effected at some of the bad bends. These improvements were of great benefit to the users of the road and, although traffic over the roads in this district has increased considerably during recent years, I am pleased to report that during the year just ended there were no collisions or mishaps which could be attributed to road faults. Work involving capital expenditure is carried on at Otukou deviation on a restricted scale. Four and a half miles of road was formed and pumiced at this point; a bridge of substantial size was erected over the Wairehau Stream, and many culverts were put in. The progress made on this job was quite satisfactory. Greater progress could be made by employing more labour on this work, but at present we are greatly handicapped through being restricted to a limited amount of funds each quarter. Another item of capital expenditure was the erection of a bridge over the Whakapapanui Stream on the Bruce Road section. Towards the close of the year 1932 a start was made with the formation and metalling of a road leading to Scoria Flat. Good progress was made on this job—approximately three miles of road was formed and two miles of road metalled. The second section of our industrial activities is motor transport work. At the present time we have ten motor-driven vehicles in commission. They were kept busy throughout the year transporting goods to the prison farms in the Taupo district, coal and general merchandize to the Chateau Tongariro, miscellaneous cartages for other prison institutions and Government Departments and our own roadwork and institutional transport work. In conclusion, I desire to thank the staff for their co-operation in carrying out the works undertaken from this institution. Wangantti Prison. (Gaoler, Mr. E. Ching.) At the commencement of the year there were in custody 31 males and no female prisoners. During the year 108 males and 5 females were received and 115 males and 4 females were discharged or otherwise disposed of, leaving 24 males and 1 female in custody at the end of the year. The conduct of the prisoners as a whole has been good. A few minor offences were committed but nothing of a serious nature. Three prisoners only were dealt with by Visiting Justices. The general health of the inmates has been good. Two old men who were suffering from longstanding complaints on reception were transferred to the public hospital where they subsequently died. Prisoners who are able to do a little work are employed in the vegetable garden repairing buildings and in keeping the prison grounds in good order. As only prisoners who are old or physically unfitare detained in this institution, the usual prison industries cannot be undertaken. Thanks are due to the clergymen of the various denominations who visit the prison and conduct divine services, which are much appreciated by the men. At Christmas, entertainments and a special tea were provided by the Church of Christ and Presbyterian Churches. A special gift of tobacco was also provided by the St. Vincent de Paul Society. These gifts and entertainments were greatly enjoyed by the inmates. I have to thank the members of the staff for their kindly co-operation during the year.

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