H.—208.

Mr. C. J. McMullin, Probation Officer, Napier. I have the honour to submit my report for the year ended 31st December, 1937. The conduct of the probationers on the whole has been most satisfactory and gratifying. Owing to the improved economic conditions 1 have experienced little difficulty in placing the probationers in remunerative employment. I am specially indebted to the officer in charge of the State Placement Service, who has gone to considerable trouble at all times to find work suited to the varied needs. I wish to record my appreciation of the courteous treatment and helpful advice which I have invariably received from the local Stipendiary Magistrate. My thanks are also due to the Court officials and the police for their untiring help during the year. Offenders Probation Act.—At the Ist January, 1937, there were 21 probationers on the register, 22 were admitted to probation during the year, 9 were received on transfer from other districts, making a total of 52 dealt with during the year, this total being reduced by 11 having completed their term of probation, 17 transferred to other districts, 2 discharged by the Prisons Board, 2 committed further offences, and 1 charged with a breach of probation. Crimes Amendment Act. —There were 8 probationers on the register at the Ist January, 1937, 12 were received on release from Borstal institutions or prisons, 20 being dealt with during the year. Of this number, 6 completed their terms satisfactorily, 5 were transferred to other districts, 1 left the Dominion, and 1 was convicted of further offences. Mr. M. Cussen, Probation Officer, Nelson. I have the honour to submit my report on the working of the probation system in the City of Nelson for the year ended 31st December, 1937. Offenders Probation Act, 1920, and the, Crimes Amendment Act, 1910. —Total dealt with during the year, 23; completed Probation, 11; total on register at 31st December, 1937, 17. Costs of prosecution and restitution-money collected during the financial year ended 31st March, 1938, £13 ss. Bd. I am again pleased to state that the conduct of the probationers has been very satisfactory. Not a single one has been out of work for more than a couple of days, and during the year I have not had one single request for financial assistance in any way. Therefore I have not had to call on the Salvation Army or my Honorary Committee during the year, which, no doubt, is a sign of prosperity. 1 have no restitution or costs-of-prosecution money owing to me at the present time. Mr. W. Dineen, Probation Officer, New Plymouth. I have pleasure in submitting my report in connection with working of the Offenders Probation Act, and on probationers under the Crimes Amendment Act, in the New Plymouth district for the year ended 31st December, 1937. In reference to the Offenders Probation Act, I wish to report that there were 20 probationers on the register at the beginning of the period. During the year 26 were received from the local Court and 8 were received from other districts, making a total of 54. Of that number, 21 were transferred to other districts, 14 completed their term of probation, and 19 still remained on the register at the end of the year.' Of the 34 new probationers received during the year, 17 were admitted on charges of dishonesty, the majority of them for theft, 4 were admitted for converting motor-vehicles to their own use, 4 for sexual offences, and 2 for bookmaking. An amount of £61 18s. in fines and costs of prosecution has been collected between the Ist April, 1937, and the 31st March, 1938, from various probationers. The sum of £22 19s. 4d. has been collected during the same period for restitution, and has been paid as ordered by the Court. Under the Crimes Amendment Act, 4 probationers were on the register at the beginning of 1937, 16 were received on license from the local prison, and 7 were received on transfer. Of this number 17 were transferred to other districts, the majority of whom, having just been released, were returning to their homes, I absconded and was rearrested and sentenced to a term of imprisonment for breach of probation, 3 have completed their term on license, and 6 remained on the register at the end of the year. The thanks of the Department are due to Miss Scotter, of the Y.W.C.A., and to Mr. Ledgerwood, of the Y.M.C.A., for their valuable supervision of female and young male probationers respectively. Miss Scotter, an experienced social worker, has devoted a considerable amount of time and ability to the care of the women probationers. Mr. E. C. J. Foot, Probation Officer, Timaru. I have the honour to submit my annual report for the year ended 31st December, 1937. The total number of probationers handled during the year was 44, comprising 29 under the Offenders Probation Act and 15 under the Crimes Amendment Act. Of these, 16 completed their period of probation, 13 were transferred to other districts, and 1 absconded, leaving 14 on the register at the close of the year. The total costs of prosecution and restitution paid during the financial year was £40 7s. lOd. The generally improved conditions of the Dominion have been reflected in the ability of probationers to meet their responsibilities. The conduct of probationers on the whole has been most satisfactory, but odd cases were clealt with which gave me cause fo? grave concern,

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