H.—2o,

Owing to the light nature of the soil and the fact that the Hautu property is bordered by uncleared Native lands, the area which has been developed has been subjected to the ravages of rabbits to a considerable extent. Systematic steps have been taken to eradicate the pest by means of poisoning, trapping, and the use of special carbon-monoxide appliances for destroying the rabbits in their burrows. By these means the rabbit pest has been kept in hand, and a revenue for skins amounting to £687 4s. 7d. has been taken during the past year. In conclusion, I desire to thank the staff for their loyal co-operation throughout the year just ended. Napiek Prison. (Gaoler, Mr. T. Stocker.) At the beginning of the year there were 14 male prisoners and 1 female prisoner in custody. During the year 165 males and 6 females were received, while 168 males and 7 females were discharged or transferred, leaving 11 males in custody at the end of the year. Two male prisoners who were on remand were sent to Porirua Mental Hospital for observation. The daily average number in custody was 13 7, which was slightly lower than the average for the previous year. The small musters may again be attributed to the unemployment camps absorbing those who were previously resident in the towns and who occasionally came under the notice of the Courts. The conduct of the prisoners has been exceptionally good, and it was rarely necessary to resort to punishment to enforce discipline. There was one admission to the public hospital, that of a case of chronic bronchitis, otherwise the health of the prisoners has been good. There was one escape of a serious nature during the year, that of a prisoner awaiting trial on a capital charge, the escape being attributed to the neglect of an officer in directly disobeying written instructions. Fortunately the escapee was recaptured within a few hours. All prisoners were profitably employed, the quarry again being our main source of revenue. Sales of metal amounted to approximately £400, which may be regarded as satisfactory considering the small amount of labour employed. Breadmaking has been continued with satisfactory results and a saving to the Department, our average yield being uniformly high. The vegetable garden has provided a liberal supply of vegetables for rations throughout the year, but owing to the extremely hot season the potato and onion crops were not so successful as in former years. The present season promises to be better. Sufficient soap was made for our own requirements. The prison building and grounds have been kept in a good state of repair with very little expense, the buildings, considering their great age, looking remarkably well. Divine services were conducted by the ministers of the various denominations regularly, and the Salvation Army and band visited once a month. The Napier Brotherhood visited once a fortnight, and their visits were much appreciated. The thanks of the Department were tendered to Mr. Husheer for his gift of tobacco to the prisoners at Christmas, also to Mr. Magill of the Gospel Hall for his gifts of cake, &c., and to Mr. J. P. Thomson for a donation for the purchase of extra items for Christmas fare. In conclusion, I desire to express my appreciation of the co-operation of the staff throughout the year. New Plymouth Prison. (Superintendent, Mr. W. Dineen.) There were 62 male prisoners in custody at the beginning of the year, and 128 were received. For the same period 135 were released, leaving 55 in custody at the end of the year, 17 of those released were debtors, 15 were released on the recommendation of the Prisons Board, one of them being released from his second term of life imprisonment. Work was found for him prior to release, and close contact is kept with him, and up to the present his behaviour appears to be satisfactory. The Medical Officer has made regular weekly visits, and has also been very prompt in attending to emergency calls. He has devoted a lot of time and study to the mental as well as physical need of the prisoners. The health of the prisoners has been good. There has been no physical illness requiring hospital treatment, and no accident of any consequence during the year. The behaviour of the prisoners has been quite satisfactory, only one man has been punished by the Visiting Justices. There was no escape or attempted escape during the year. The supply of bulk rations during the year has been quite satisfactory. The milk issue has been increased by £ pint per prisoner. We are fortunate in being able to secure the milk required from the prison cows, consequently there are often times when the regulation quantity of milk issued to prisoners can be exceeded. The same applies to the issue of vegetables from the prison garden. Divine service is held every Sunday, the ministers of the different denominations share the duty of caring for the spiritual welfare of the prisoners. Attendance at any divine service other than of the denomination to which a prisoner belongs is not compulsory, but the majority of the men attend all services.

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