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Hautu Prison (Acting Officer in Charge, Mr. G. Brew) At the beginning of the year there were 37 men in custody. During the year 65 were received, 33 discharged, and 28 transferred to other institutions, leaving 41 men in custody at the end of the period. Three men were admitted to Taumarunui Public Hospital and 3 to Raetihi Public Hospital for operations and the treatment of diseases contracted on active service overseas. The health of the remainder of the men was good. The medical officer, Dr. L. E. Jordan, visited the prison regularly, and men requiring dental treatment were attended to by Mr. R. B. Davies, Raetihi, at his surgery. Divine services were held by Rev. Father Van Beck, Mr. Mountjoy, Taupo, and Mr. H. L. Forlong, of Piriaka. We are again grateful to the Christchurch branch of the Howard League for the Christmas cake, and the congregation of the Taupo Presbyterian Church for gifts to the men at Christmas. The Church of Christ (Scientist) supplied reading-matter regularly during the year. There was a plentiful supply of green and root vegetables throughout the year. The food supplied to the men was of good quality. All bread was baked in the prison bakery, and meat for rations was killed on the prison farm. Dairying was a success during the year, and arrangements are being made to extend the industry. The cream was sold to the Kaitieke Co-operative Dairy Co., Ltd., and the skim-milk fed to pigs. The sheep-raising industry was again successful. All the black-faced lambs were sold, also the Romney wether lambs. The Romney ewe lambs were retained in the flock. The wool clip totalled 52 bales. The hay and swede crops were good, and there was an abundance of feed for the live-stock during the year. In conclusion, I wish to thank the officers for their co-operation and loyalty. Napier Prison (Superintendent: Mr. A. A. Douglas) At the beginning of the year there were 17 males in custody ; during the year admissions totalled 185 males and 4 females, leaving in custody at the end of the year 20 males. The health of the prisoners on the whole has been very satisfactory, 1 prisoner on two occasions being admitted to the Napier Public Hospital suffering from acute dermatitis. Extensive repairs and maintenance work has been carried out on the two departmental cottages. A new stone wall has been erected in the front of the Superintendent's house, the old wooden wall having collapsed. The renovation of the prison has been commenced. Divine services were conducted by the following denominations during the year: Gospel Hall, Church of England, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Roman Catholic, Maori service, Salvation Army and band. All services have been well attended. Radio entertainment daily has been provided, and prisoners listen in to sessions of news, sporting events, and variety programmes nightly, and Church broadcasts on Sunday. Concert parties visited the prison on six occasions, and pictures were screened on seven occasions. The thanks of the Department is due to the Rev. Dyason, organizer of the concert parties, and to Mr. Oscar Brock and Mr. Simmons, responsible for the picture-screening.

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