H—2o

Sports have again proved most popular. Tennis and cricket are played in the summer, and football in the winter. During the cricket season the team played matches regularly with outside teams which happened to have a bye in the local competition. The team acquitted itself well, and some most enjoyable games resulted. The institution football team took part in the local competition and performed creditably. Concerts and pictures were again provided by visiting players and by programmes loaned for the occasion. These entertainments are much appreciated by the inmates. Evening educational classes have been continued as in the past. The school year was shortened by reason of the restrictions imposed following the epidemic outbreak. The schoolmaster, Mr. A. L. Kidson, resigned at the end of the year, and, while his successor has been appointed, it is not anticipated that school classes will commence until such time as all restrictions are lifted. Farming activities remain the major work being carried out at Waikeria, and with the still urgent need for foodstuffs overseas every effort has been made to step up production. Revenue has been buoyant, and prices obtained for produce throughout the year has been very good. Sales of bullocks amounted to 173, lambs 3,800. The wool produced amounted to 136 bales, but of this the greater part remains unsold. Portion of the clip was sold earlier in the season and resulted in very good prices being obtained. The lambs tailed numbered 4,046 from an increased flock of 3,909 ewes, a percentage of approximately 103*5. During the year a fifth dairy was erected, and this has taken the surplus stock from the other four dairies, and has enabled the whole to be settled at 120 cows each. As usual sufficient heifer calves were retained at each dairy for necessary replacements. Sales of whole milk were made as usual to the Health Department for the milk-in-schools scheme. Sales here were also curtailed slightly by the epidemic and the early closing of schools. Allied to the dairy industry is the very remunerative industry of pig-raising. Sales have been made to Wi Tako Prison as required, and practically the whole of those fattened here have been carried on to bacon weights. On several ocassions our offerings at the local sale have realized highest prices, sales being made up to £6 18s. per head. In agricultural work some 324 acres were under cultivation, in the following crops : swedes, 100 acres; potatoes, 13 acres ; chou moellier, 60 acres; new pasture, 127 acres ; and 24 acres in oats for chaff. Hay was harvested from 350 acres this year. No ensilage was made. The necessary work of farm maintenance such as repairs to fences, cleaning and clearing of drains, and control of noxious weeds is a job of some magnitude here and occupied a large number of inmates over a considerable period. Much requires to be done to farm fences, but until the supply position improves this work of necessity must be deferred. Very beneficial results could be obtained by further paddock subdivision as this would enable better control of pastures and also better grazing of stock. The position was made more difficult because of the necessity of much fencing in and around ■the new dairy. It was necessary to improvise, and what has been done should suffice for some time to come. The garden has again provided suitable and interesting labour for a number of inmates. The vegetable crop was a good one, and much surplus produce was available for sale. The growing, cultivating, and curing of from 6-7 acres of tobacco also provided suitable work and good instruction for those employed. The process can be followed right from the sowing of the seed in boxes, through the pricking out and growing stages to the harvesting, drying, and packing for despatch to Auckland Prison for manufacture. The crop this year again promises to be a very good one.

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