H.—2ob.

Statistics for the Year ending 31st, March, 1935. Offenders Probation Act— Number on register at Ist April, 1934 .. .. .. ..62 Admitted to probation by local Courts .. .. .. 57 Received on transfer .. .. .. .. .. 21 — 140 Less— Discharged on completion oi period .. .. .. .. .. 31 Transferred to other places .. .. .. .. 29 Discharged by the Prisons Board .. .. .. .. 4 Discharged by other means .. .. * .. . . .. 2 Defaulters dealt with by Courts on subsequent charges and breaches of probation .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 — 71 Leaving on register at 31st March, 1935 .. .. .. .. 69 £ s. d. Institutional recoveries .. .. .. .. .. 140 7 8 Costs of prosecution .. .. .. .. .. 4160 £145 3 8 Crimes Amendment Act— Number on register at Ist April, 1934 .. . . .. .. 20 Released on license during the year .. .. .. .. 39 Received on transfer .. .. .. .. .. 14 — 73 Less— Discharged on completion of sentence .. .. .. 23 Transferred to other places .. .. .. .. .. 17 Absconded .. .. .. .. . . ■ ■ 1 Licenses cancelled .. . . .. .. .. .. 7 — 48 Leaving on register at 31st March, 1935 .. .. .. .. 25 Mr. T. P. Mills, District Probation Officer, Wellington. I have the honour to submit my report for the year ending 31st March, 1935. The year began with 123 probationers, 80 were released on probation during the year, 45 were transferred from other districts ; 248 in all passing through my hands. Of these probationers, 69 successfully completed the period of probation, 62 left for other districts, 2 were dealt with under section 14 of the Act and imprisoned, 2 others were sentenced to reformative detention, 1 was committed to a borstal institution, and 2 were discharged by the Prisons Board, leaving 110 reporting at the end of the year. The chief difficulty, as in the last few years, has been to secure employment for probationers, and in both country and city very little work outside that provided by the Unemployment Board has been available. It speaks well for the general conduct of these probationers in these lean times that the lapses were less than 3 per cent, of the total dealt with, the 7 defaulters including 2 which were prosecuted for breach of probation under section 13. The collection of costs and restitution-moneys has always been a problem, this year being no exception. The total costs received amounted to £111 Is., and restitution-moneys to £271 3s. 9d. In very few instances has there been any studied evasion of their obligations, but nevertheless it has been do easy matter to keep many probationers up to the mark. Crimes Amendment Probationers : The numbers dealt with this year were 180. Forty-nine were reporting at the beginning of the period, 97 were received direct from various institutions, 34 were transferred from other districts. Sixty-two satisfactorily completed the terms of their probation, 45 left for other districts, 7 left the Dominion, 8 were subsequently imprisoned, 1 had his license cancelled, 1 died, and 56 were reporting at the close of the year. Irrespective of the above 9 unsatisfactory probationers, 2 were before the Court for breach of probation, 1 was fined, and the other imprisoned for a short term. These 11 cases represent a trifle over 6 per cent, of the total dealt with. It has often been asked whether the depression has caused an increase in crime, and, without attempting to discuss the general question, it is rather of interest to note that the tendency towards rehabilitation shows an improvement amongst the probationers of this district. The percentages of failures during the last three years were as follows : 1933, 0.P., 5 per cent. ; C.A.A., 8 per cent. 1934, 0.P., 4 per cent. ; C.A.A., 8 per cent. 1935, 0.P., 3 per cent. ; C.A.A., 6 per cent. The depression is an ugly problem, but there are very few things that do not have their uses. This report would not be complete without an appreciative reference to the work of the Voluntary Probation Coiiimittee, as well as the efforts of the Police and Court officials, which so materially contribute to the success of the probation system.

5