H.—2o

The several organizations which in past years have provided Christmas cheer for the inmates during the festive season have again contributed freely, with the result that each individual received an adequate supply of extras, and this has been much appreciated by the inmates. The spiritual welfare of the prisoners have been well cared for by clergymen of the various denominations, who have held regular Sunday services and have given individual visits. The food supplied has been of good quality, with special mention of the excellent meat that has been supplied from the Waikeria Borstal Farm. The bread has been baked in the institution bakery and has been of excellent' quality. I desire to make special reference to the assistance given to prisoners on discharge by the Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society (Rev. Moreton, Secretary) and Salvation Army Industrial Home (Major Perry, Manager), who have at all times done every reasonable thing possible to assist in rehabilitation. Thanks are also due to Rev. Vickery, Port Chaplain, for his untiring effort to obtain berths for suitable individuals desiring to return to their country of origin to rejoin friends and relatives. The conduct of the staff generally has been very satisfactory, and a suitable standard of industry and discipline has been maintained by them throughout the past year. The clerical and store staff under the direction of the principal clerk have dealt with that phase of the institutional work in an efficient and expeditious manner. Gtsborne Prison. (Gaoler, Mr. D. Davies.) At the beginning of the year there were 8 males in custody. Received during the year 84 males and 1 female. Discharged, transferred, or otherwise disposed of during the same period, 90 males and 1 female. In custody on the night of 31st December, 1937, 2 males. The health and conduct of the prisoners throughout the year have been good. The employment consisted of gardening, laundry-work, and clothing repairs. Messrs. L. C. Morris and D. J. Heffernan visited the prison regularly during the year and conducted Divine services. Hautu Prison. (Officer in Charge, Mr. T. Banks.) At the commencement of the year there were 32 male prisoners in custody. During the year 34 male prisoners were received from other prison institutions, 38 were released or otherwise disposed of, leaving in custody on the night of the 31st December, 1937, 28 prisoners. The health of the prisoners was good. There were of course, the usual number of minor ailments calling for attention during the year, but there were no cases calling for lengthy hospital treatment. I regret to report that one of the inmates collapsed one morning, and despite every effort to revive him he passed away about eighteen hours later without regaining consciousness. The cause of the death was cerebral thrombosis. The Medical Officer made frequent visits to the institution and gave every attention to those requiring medical treatment. The usual facilities were granted inmates requiring dental attention. Religious services were arranged during the year by visiting chaplains from Waahi and Taupo. Regular supplies of reading-matter were received from the Mayoress's (Auckland) War Memorial Library League, and a consignment of reconditioned books were received from Wellington Prison. All literature received was placed in the institution library and was made available for use by the inmates. The purchase of a five-valve Ultimate radio-receiving set was made during the year. This unit is giving good service, and radio entertainments are now available to the inmates each night and throughout the week-ends. Our special thanks are due to the Rev. J. Laughton (Presbyterian Minister) at Taupo and the Christchurch Branch of the Howard League for Penal Reform for donations of cake, fruit, and sundry other edibles made available to the prisoners at Christmas-time. Extra tobacco provided by the Department was issued to the inmates on Christmas Day. It is pleasing to report the total absence of complaints regarding the quality and the quantity of rations issued during the year. All purchased lines were up to standard. A plentiful supply of assorted vegetables were obtained from the prison garden, and potatoes, beef, mutton, and pork was obtained from the farm. Bread of good quality was manufactured in the prison bakery. The prison buildings and lawns were kept in good order during the year. A fireplace and chimney were erected in the common-room to provide warmth for the inmates during cold weather. Major renovations were carried out at Nos. 1 and 2 cottages. Due to the appointment of married officers to the staff at Hautu Prison the housing question had become acute, and in order to relieve the position a cottage was transferred from Waikune Prison and re-erected at this institution. A new slaughterhouse was erected to provide better facilities for the slaughtering of live-stock for rations. As in the past two or three years, very little work involving capital expenditure was carried out during 1937. Work coming under that heading was confined to subdivisional fencing or making some of the existing fences sheep-proof. Our mixed-farming activities were carried on without interruption. In the sheep section a wool clip of 45 bales (weight, 6 tons 12 cwt. 2 qr. 19 lb.) was obtained from approximately 1,842 sheep shorn ; 965 lambs were taken on charge during the season ; 462 sheep were sold, and 30 were killed for rations, Sheep-skins were sold at satisfactory prices.

2—H. 20.

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