Page image
Page image

H.— 20

6 acres. As from Ist April, 1937, Lot 111, of 70 acres city leasehold, was not renewed. The " River Farm " (Rhodes' Lease) contains 417 acres in crops, grass, and bush. The rifle-range, held on special terms requiring maintenance of drains, butts, mounds, &c., contained about 100 acres of land suitable for grazing. At both the winter and the summer shows conducted by the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association the institution entered exhibits, gaining several firsts and numerous seconds. Mr. P. McMillan, of the Wallaceville Experimental Farm, was appointed Manager and took up his duties in November, 1937. The co-ordination of farm activities and planned management will be all to the good. I wish to record my appreciation of the assistance rendered by all members of the stafE throughout the year. Waikeria. Borstal Institution (Te Awamutu). (Superintendent, Mr. D. Dunlop.) On 31st January, 1937, there were in custody 25 Borstal inmates, and 38 were received during the year ; the discharges were 26 on probationary licenses, while ] was transferred to another institution, thus leaving 36 in custody on the 31st December, 1937. The greatest number of Borstal inmates in custody at any one time during the year was 35, the least number 12, and the daily average was 2443. In the Reformatory Section there were in custody at the beginning of the year 97 inmates, and 103 were received during the year ;of these, 4 were discharged on expiration of sentences, 17 by special remissions of sentences, 81 on probationary licenses, and 22 were transferred to other institutions, leaving 76 inmates in the reformatory at the end of the year. There were no deaths during the year. The greatest number of reformatory inmates in custody at any one time was 97, the least number 69, the daily average being 75-22 inmates. There were no escapes during the year, but one inmate made an attempt to escape. This attempt was made on impulse, and the inmate was suitably dealt with. On the whole, the conduct and industry of the inmates has been quite satisfactory, having regard to the number who are not subjected to constant supervision and the extensive liberties allowed. It is pleasing to report, also, that the health of the inmates has been very good during the year. Nine inmates were transferred to the Waikato Public Hospital for minor complaints requiring treatment that could not be provided at the institution. The institution is visited regularly by the Medical Officer, Dr. J. B. W. Roberton, who attends to all cases brought before him in a thorough and sympathetic manner. During the year only one inmate required treatment for venereal disease. Dental treatment is given by the visiting dentist, Mr. W. Mackenzie. Major cases are dealt with at his surgery. The food supplied has been of excellent quality, with a plentiful supply of vegetables from the institution garden. The bread produced in the institution bakery has also been of excellent quality and most favourably commented on by visitors. For some years difficulty has been experienced in finding suitable employment for the young men discharged from the institution, but with the better times experienced during the past year this difficulty has not been so apparent. There has been a keen demand for tradesmen, and inmates who are tradesmen have been readily placed. There has also been a keen demand for farm labourers, and it is pleasing to note that farmers in the surrounding districts are always willing to give the inmates a trial. During the year there has been ample work of a useful and productive nature available to keep all inmates fully employed on the farm property. Inmates who are artisans are also employed as far as possible at their respective trades. As a means of reformation the value of healthy out-door work cannot be too highly stressed. No serious oSences occurred during the year, and discipline was maintained at a high standard. The majority of offences were minor breaches of the regulations and concerned damage to clothing and equipment resulting from carelessness. The Department is indebted to the Visiting Justices, Messrs. W. Jeffrey and S. Clark, and to the members of the Visiting Committee, Messrs. F. Quin, F. W. Bevin, G. A. Empson, and F. Gilbert. Religious services were again provided during the year by visiting chaplains from Kihikihi and Te Awamutu. The usual facilities were again provided for recreation, and cricket, football, and tennis were played in season. Thanks are again due to Mr. F. Findlay, of Hamilton, who in conjunction with other social workers maintain a sympathetic interest in the welfare of the inmates by organizing concert parties and lectures, which are greatly appreciated. Wireless programmes were also provided during the year, the programmes being extended where necessary to incorporate any broadcasts of exceptional interest. During the season one team was entered in the local Rugby competitions, and thirty-seven inmates participated in the various matches. The team was successful in winning the Junior Championship and the Doyle Knockout Cup. Six inmates were selected to represent Waipa in representative games, and played matches at Cambridge, Ngaruawahia, Hamilton, Otorohanga, and Morrinsville. One of the representative games was played as a curtain-raiser to the Springbok versus Waikato match held at Hamilton. Cricket was also indulged in during the summer season, and the Waikeria team played matches each Saturday in the local competitions. A total of twenty-eight inmates in all participated in the cricket matches during the season. The institution team won the championship in the Southern Zone, but was defeated in the final against the winners of the Northern Zone by 16 runs. The season was very successful and enjoyable, and the competitive games were appreciated by the inmates participating and also the opposing teams. . Night-school classes were conducted at the institution on eighty-seven evenings, the average attendance being 13-7. The number of evenings is less than that of previous years, due to the day school being closed on account of the infantile-paralysis epidemic. As mentioned in my previous

20

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert