H.—208

The total restitution-money collected was £37 14s. Id., and under the heading of costs of prosecution the sum collected was £54 2s. lid. The conduct of the probationers on the whole has been most satisfactory, 3 offenders being convicted of subsequent offences and sentenced to the following terms—viz., 1 sentenced to hard labour, 1 sent to a Borstal Institution, and 1 readmitted to probation. Some of the probationers under my care gave cause for serious thought at various times, but on the whole the result of the year's work is most encouraging. lam indebted to Mr. Dyson, the local Placement Officer, for his sympathetic advice and help in procuring work for various probationers, which to my mind is the main factor in solving a difficult problem. Crimes Amendment Act.—There were 9 probationers on the register at the beginning of the year and 19 probationers were received, making a total of 28 dealt with. Eleven completed their term of probation, 1 absconded, 6 were transferred to other districts, 1 was convicted of a subsequent offence and sentenced to hard labour, while 1 was sent to a mental hospital, leaving 8 on the register at the end of the year. It is very gratifying to note that, with two exceptions, these probationers have been exceedingly well behaved and there was no difficulty experienced in helping them to fulfil the terms of their probation. Mr. M. Oussen, Probation Officer, Nelson. I respectfully present my report on the working of the Offenders Probation Act for the City of Nelson. Total number dealt with, 43 ; total number on register at present, 11. Total costs of prosecution and restitution-money paid to 31st March, 1937, £11 9s. lOd. The conduct of the probationers has been good and all are kept in employment, all restitution and costs of prosecution money is paid up to date, and I am pleased to state by using a little persuasion I have been successful in getting all the probationers under my charge to open an account in the postoffice. I keep the bank-book in my charge and bank the money for them, and Ido not give them possession of the book or allow them to draw any money out of the post-office until their term of probation is completed, and at the present time they are all very pleased with the scheme. Mr. W. Dineen, Probation Officer, New Plymouth. Herewith my report for the year ended 31st December, 1936 :— Offenders Probation Act. —At the beginning of the year there were 23 probationers on the register, 23 were admitted to probation during the year, and 7 were received on transfer from other districts. This total was reduced by—completed term during the year 10, transferred 23, leaving 20 on the register at 31st December, 1936. Of the 23 probationers received from the local Court, 15 had committed offences of dishonesty ; of the remainder, 3 were convicted for unlawful conversion of motor-vehicles, 4 were sexual offences against females, 1 was convicted for being intoxicated in charge of a motor-car, and 1 was convicted of arson. The sum of £138 ss. Bd. was collected from probationers during the year. The general conduct of the probationers has been satisfactory during the year with the exception of 1, who was charged at the Magistrates' Court with breach of probation and was awarded two months' hard labour. Crimes Amendment Act, Probationers. —There were 4 probationers on the register at the beginning of the year, 19 were received on license from institutions, and 3 were transferred from other districts. Sixteen were transferred to other districts, 1 left the country, 2 were recommitted, and 1 absconded, leaving 4 on the register at 31st December, 1936. Two of the above have been returned to prison for further offences and 1, who had absconded, has not been seen or heard of since May, 1936. It gives me much pleasure to record my appreciation of the assistance given by the Secretary of the Y.W.C.A. in taking over the care and oversight of the female probationers during the past year. Mr. H. Cole, Probation Officer, Palmerston North. I beg to submit my annual report for year ended 31st December, 1936. Eeceived during the year under the Offenders Probation Act : Total dealt with, 60 ; transferred 20 ; expired, 11 ; reporting, 29. Received under the Crimes Amendment Act, 25; expired, 11; 3 transferred, and 11 reporting. The moneys collected during the year : Costs of prosecution and restitution totalled £92 7s. Bd. The conduct of the probationers on the whole has been good, and the working of the system has been very satisfactory. Mr. E. C. <T. Foot, Probation Officer, Timaru. I have the honour to submit my report for the period ended 31st December, 1936. The total number dealt with during the period was 50. Completed terms of probation, 22; probation remitted, 1 ; reconvicted, 2 ; transferred other centres, 7 ; remaining on register, 18. This shows an improvement on the previous year, and it is hoped that the improvement will continue. The total costs of prosecutions and restitution paid during the financial year was £24. In regard to restitution, less difficulty has been experienced in obtaining payment than existed in previous years, and with one or two exceptions the majority have been in a position to meet their obligations.

8