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report, owing to the smaller numbers attending the classes an endeavour has been made to encourage interest by making the work covered more of a cultural than of an academic nature. A Raratongan and several Maori inmates whose educational standard was low have received all possible assistance. Several inmates have been taking special courses suited to their mentality or particular bent, and to these have been given as much individual assistance as possible. Weekly lectures on local, national, or international events, followed by free discussion, have been given, while Mr. Bryce, of Hamilton, gave an extremely interesting lecture illustrated by lantern slides. Films lent by the Canadian Trade Commissioner, Kodak Ltd., Auckland, the Government Tourist Department, and Mr. Broadfoot, M.P., were shown at different periods of the year. Messrs. Kodak Ltd., Auckland, also lent one of their latest 16 mm. machines to show the films lent by Mr. Broadfoot, which included one in natural colour photography of the trooping of the colours. The year under review lias been noted for considerable activity in the building trade, and besides general maintenance work on the institution and farm buildings being attended to, three new cottages for the accommodation of staff officers were completed. The work of the Orchard Instructor has been rather restricted in the past owing to inadequate accommodation and equipment, and to overcome this difficulty a new packing and grading shed was erected. A mechanical spraying outfit was also installed to enable the spraying of the trees to be undertaken with a minimum of labour and in as short a time as possible. The new laundry and chilling plants which were commenced the previous year were also completed, and both plants have proved a boon to the institution. Some improvements have also been carried out at the slaughterhouse to bring the equipment more up to date. The water-supply to the institution, staff cottages, and the farm, has in the past not been all it could be desired, and from a fire-prevention point of view , most inadequate. To remedy this defect a new system is being installed, and all mains are being replaced by new and larger pipes with ample provision for fire-fighting appliances. Good progress was made on this work during the year, and a chlorinatingplant was connected to the system. The farming section has progressed satisfactorily, and there has been an excellent spring growth with prospects for good hay and cereal crops, and all root crops are very promising. The revenue from the farm for the year amounted to £19,029, exclusive of the value of a large quantity of produce consumed at the institution for ration purposes and on the farm itself. Practically all branches of farming are carried, out, including cattle-raising and dairying, sheep, horse, and pig raising ; vegetables, fruit, honey, and ordinary crop production. Top-dressing on the usual maintenance basis was carried out, and an area of 132 acres was sown down in permanent pasture. Dairying is the main farm activity, and during the season 1936-37 an average of 524 cows were milked, with an average butterfat-production per cow of 292 lb. The total milk-yield was 3,609,272 lb. ; cream-yield, 330,145 lb. ; and butterfat produced 139,813 lb. The average cream and milk tests were 39-85 per cent, and 4-1.7 per cent, respectively. Of the total cream supplied to the factory 92-91 per cent, was graded first quality. Herd-testing, carried out by inmates, was continued during the year, and by the use of breeding data and testing records, coupled with systematic culling of low producers, the Shorthorn and Jersey herds have been maintained at the high standards recorded in the past. During the year the whole of the dairy herds and heifers were subjected to the tuberculin test by a veterinarian from, the Department of Agriculture. The supply of beef and mutton for the ration requirements of the Auckland Prison was continued during the year with satisfactory results. Good prices were obtained for all hides, skins, and tallow disposed through the auction rooms. Good progress was made with the pig industry, and 780 pigs were sold during the year, the majority through the New Zealand Pig Marketing Association, Ltd. In the sheep section a total of 79 bales of wool were produced during the season, realizing an average of £13 17s. Bd. per bale. The lambing percentage was slightly over 103 per cent., and 2,255 fat lambs were sold for export. Owing to the lack of labour, activities in the garden have been modified for the season. The majority of the inmates engaged in this work are fit for light labour only, and this occupation provides them with a useful and healthy avenue of employment. The garden supplies the institution with all of its vegetable requirements, and any surplus is disposed of either locally or through the auction rooms. In the nursery section young trees are raised from seed for eventual planting out as shelterbelts on the farm. The orchard showed good results for the season, and a total of 4,003 cases of apples were produced, giving a revenue of £528 7s. 9d. Apart from the apples supplied to the institution to supplement the inmates' rations, the whole of the apple crop was disposed of locally or through the auction-rooms. A further area of land was cleared during the year with the intention of planting a further 500 young trees during the coming season. The output of honey for the year amounted to 1,435 lb., which is much lower than previous years. A low output of honey for this particular season has been general throughout the district, but a bumper harvest is anticipated for the coming year, as weather conditions have been much more favourable. The following crops were harvested during the year : Ensilage, 856 tons ; hay, 30 tons ; oaten sheaves (for chaff), 68 tons ; maize (for green feed), 180 tons ; swede turnips, 1,800 tons ; potatoes, 88 tons ; and horse carrots, 30 tons. The majority of the crops are raised for the requirements of the institution and stock, but potatoes are disposed of to all prisons in the North Island. The usual display of live-stock and produce at the Te Awamutu Agricultural and Pastoral Association's annual show was not made last season owing to the show being abandoned due to the infantile-paralysis epidemic. I am pleased to report that- the conduct of the staff has been excellent, and a high standard of discipline has been maintained throughout the year, and in consequence the various industrial activities have been carried out smoothly and economically.

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