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Religious services were conducted at the prison by Mr. K. A. Mountjoy, Messrs. H. L. and H. G. Furlong, Mr. A. R. Matieson, Mr. D. E. Houghton, Mr. W. J. Bull, Mr. R. 0. Symons, Mr. A. Trail, Mr. R. D. Williams, the Rev. Mr. Smith, and Sister Edith. We are indebted to the Church of Christ (Scientist), Wellington, for generous donations of reading-material. Christmas cheer of ample proportions was donated by the Taupo Presbyterian Church, and a donation of Christmas cake was received from the Christchurch Branch of the Howard League for Penal Reform, and our thanks are due to the donors. The food-supplies have been of excellent quality, all vegetables being supplied from the prison garden. Beef and mutton for rations were killed on the farm. The rabbit pest is at a minimum owing to extensive trapping and poisoning. A substantial credit resulted from the sale of skins. Thirty-nine bales of wool resulted from shearing. Wether lambs were disposed of to the works and saleyards, and good-type ewe lambs retained for our breeding flock. The following crops were grown : 35 acres of swedes and 35 acres of soft turnips, resulting in a reasonable crop, being used as winter feed. Farm activities carried out during the year were eradication of weeds, draining of swamps, and maintenance of cultivated area by clearing of second growth. The staff have carried out their duties loyally during the year. I sincerely thank them. Waikune Prison (Roadmaking Camp), Erua (Officer in Charge : Mr. J. G. Quill) At the commencement of the year there were in custody 70 prisoners, and 101 were received during the year. The discharges were 3on expiration of sentences, 19 on special remissions; and 51 on probationary licences. Altogether 31 prisoners were transferred to other institutions, leaving 67 prisoners in custody at the end of the year. The greatest number of prisoners in detention at any one time was 84, the least 64, the daily average being 72-52. Five prisoners escaped from Waikune during the year, 2 of them being at liberty for a few hours only. The other 3 men did not evade recapture for very long. Three prisoners in transit to the Rangipo and Hautu Prisons escaped shortly after detraining at National Park, but they were eventually recaptured. The general health of the prisoners has been very good. There were two admissions to hospital. One man was injured at work and had to be removed to hospital for operative treatment, while the other prisoner was treated for a septic finger. The medical officer, Dr. L. E. Jordan, was in constant attendance at the prison throughout the year, and displayed an extremely conscientious regard for the health and general well-being of the prisoners. Those prisoners requiring dental treatment were conveyed to the surgery of the dentist, Mr. R. B. Davies, Raetihi. Religious services were conducted at the institution at regular intervals by the following: Rev. Fathers Garrahy and Walsh (Catholic) and Messrs. H. L. and H. G. Forlong (Plymouth Brethren). Once more we record our deep appreciation of the very fine Christmas cake provided for the prisoners at Waikune by the Christchurch Branch of the Howard League for Penal Reform. Our thanks are due to Mr. Lacey, senior, of Retaruke, for his very generous gift of a number of very fine books for the prison library.

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