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Hautu Prison (Officer in Charge : Mr. A. Banks) At the commencement of the year there were 41 men in custody. During the year -48 men were received, 31 discharged, and 14 transferred to other institutions, leaving ;39 in custody at the end of the year. The health of the men was excellent, there being only 11 men ill over forty-eight hours during the year. One man underwent an operation for hernia at the Eaetihi Hospital, and 1 man was admitted to the same institution suffering from a septic hand. The medical officer visited the prison regularly, and every man complaining of illness received a thorough medical examination. Arrangements were made with Mr. K. W. Beresford, Dental Surgeon, Taumarunui, to attend to men requiring dental treatment. The spiritual welfare of the men was attended to by Father De Bree, Waihi, Reverend K. A. L. Mountjoy, Presbyterian Minister, Taupo, and Mr. H. L. Forlong, of Piriaka. Our thanks are due to the Christchurch Branch of the Howard League for Christmas cake supplied, and to the congregation of the Taupo Presbyterian Church for gifts to the men at Christmas. The Church of Christ (Scientist) continued to send reading-matter throughout the year. The prison garden yielded a plentiful and varied supply of vegetables throughout the period. Surplus vegetables wex ! e sold to local storekeepers. A crop of 131 tons of hay was baled, and 200 acres of swedes and turnips grown for livestock. The potato crop was not so good as in former years, but there was sufficient to meet the requirements of the prison during the year. All bread for rations was manufactured in the prison bakery and was of good -quality. Beef and mutton was supplied from the prison farm. The rabbit pest was dealt with by poisoning and trapping; 16,400 skins were marketed. The dairy industry was carried on successfully. A new cow-shed and dairy are in ■course of erection, and modern machinery will be installed. The cream was supplied to the Kaitieke Co-operative Dairy Co., Ltd., and the skim-milk fed to pigs. The rearing of pigs was continued ; 244 weaners were transferred to other institutions, and 12 sold locally. Surplus vegetables from the prison garden and trapped rabbits were used as pig-feed. Sheep-raising was carried on with fair results ; 466 ewes and 788 lambs were sold. The wool-clip totalled 62 bales. More accommodation for married officers is being provided. One cottage was removed to the main road and completely renovated, and arrangements are being made to have another cottage shifted from the defaulters' camp to another site. It is regretted that during the year Mr. T. Banks, who was officer in charge for many years, retired from the service owing to ill health. In conclusion, I wish to thank the officers for their co-operation and loyalty. Napier Prison (Superintendent: Mr. A. A. Douglas) I have the honour to submit my report on the working of this prison for the year ■ended 31st December, 1948. At the beginning of the year there were 20 males in custody. During the year admissions totalled 151 males and 6 females, leaving in custody at the end of the year 22 males. The health of the prisoners, on the whole, has been satisfactory. There were 2 prisoners admitted to the Napier Public Hospital during the year.

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