H.—2ob.

Conclusion. —Probation is essentially a community job. A Probation Officer is bound to rely on, and utilize, as far as available, all resources—voluntary and official, social and religious—and in this connection I desire to express the Department's appreciation of the exceedingly valuable help given by a large band of voluntary workers, who assist both individually and through committees, and of the splendid co-operation shown by the Government Placement Officers and the police. Also, grateful acknowledgments are made to the many ministers of religion, officers of the Salvation Army, and other social organizations who have helped in this important salvage work. B. L. Dallard, Chief Probation Officer.

REPORTS OF DISTRICT PROBATION OFFICERS. Mr. J. Anderson, District Probation Officer, Auckland. I have the honour to submit my annual report on the probation work at this centre for the period from Ist January, 1938, to 31st December, 1938. Commencing the period under review with 195 probationers on the register, there were 246 admitted to probation from the Auckland Courts, while 89 were received on transfer from other districts, making a total of 530 dealt with for the period. Of that number, 131 completed their probationary periods, 136 were transferred to other districts, 4 were discharged by the Prisons Board, 2 left the Dominion, 8 were brought before the Court and sentenced on the original charge, while 6 came before the Court for other offences committed while on probation. The foregoing figures total 287, which, deducted from the number dealt; with, left 243 probationers on the register at the termination of the period under review. To the number of defaulters shown there has to be added 27 others who came before the Court for other offences and later reverted to the probationary conditions. A total defaulters' list of 41 is thus shown for the year, being less than 8 per cent, of the total number dealt with. There is a slight increase in the percentage over last year's figures, which can be in some degree attributed to the wider use being made of the probation system, with a consequent diversity of type. Nevertheless, from every point of view the result may be considered highly satisfactory, giving further evidence of the value and efficacy of the probation system. The sum of £781 Is. 2d. was paid in as restitution and £112 Bs. lid. as costs of prosecution, a total of £893 10s. Id. for the year. That total is £118 2s. Bd. above the total for the previous year. There are many factors governing the collection of restitution and costs. In many cases difficulty is experienced in connection with these payments, and while it is pleasing to record that the conditions imposed in this respect are being largely met, care, discrimination, and discretion are necessary in enforcing payment so that there may be no undue hardship in compelling the observance of the conditions imposed by the Court in this respect. While the number of defaulters shows a slight increase, it is well to remember that the majority have carried out in a highly satisfactory manner the obligations imposed. While there are many who do not come fully up to expectations, it is pleasing to record that so many of the probationers show, by their exemplary conduct and attention to instructions, their appreciation of what has and is being done for them. Probationers on. Release from, Prison and Borstal Institutions.—At the beginning of the year there were 77 probationers in this class on the register, and 92 were received on probation from the various institutions or on transfer from other districts, showing a total of 169 dealt with. Of these, 54 completed the term of probation, 30 were transferred to other districts, 5 were discharged by the Prisons Board, 4 left the Dominion by permission, 2 died, and 21 were sentenced to terms of imprisonment for offences committed while on probation, leaving 53 probationers on the register at the 31st December, 1938. Four of the number who committed further offences were habitual criminals whose licenses were cancelled. The number of defaulters shown in this class is 12| per cent, of the total dealt with. Probationers in this class who completed the probationary terms, with some few exceptions, did so in quite a satisfactory manner, and appear to be doing well. The matter of employment is one which still causes a great deal of concern to both Probation Officer and probationers, although there is a distinct improvement in this direction. Unfortunately for the offender, the fact that he has transgressed and appeared before Court very often means loss of employment and consequent difficulty in obtaining remunerative work. This is indeed a problem and one difficult to overcome. Many employers are sympathetic, and fall in with the probation idea by continuing to employ

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