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Extensive repairs have been carried out on the prison during the year. The lighthouse which has stood on the site for many years has been successfully dismantled for theMarine Department. Divine services were conducted by the following denominations during the year Gospel Hall, Church of England, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational,. Roman Catholic, Maori service, and the Salvation Army band. All services were well attended. Concert parties visited the prison on eighteen occasions during the year and moving pictures have been screened on seven occasions. I have conveyed to the sponsers of theseprogrammes the Department's thanks. The prisoners were also permitted to listen-in daily to suitable radio programmes. There were no escapes during the year. The output and sales from the quarry for the year has been maintained. The output from the garden has shown an improvement on the previous year, in spite of the poor prices received at auction. The Rose Clove carnations are doing well,, and since April over 500 dozen have been marketed at a satisfactory price. There has been a plentiful supply of all classes of vegetables for the general use of the prison. The conduct of the prisoners has been good, there being no offences committed during the year. I desire to express my thanks to the staff for their loyal co-operation during the year.. New Plymouth Prison (Superintendent: Mr. J. Dow) I have the honour to submit mv annual report for the year ended 31st December,.. 1948. There were 47 male prisoners in custody at the beginning of the year. During theyear 116 male prisoners were received, whilst 111 were discharged or otherwise disposed of, leaving 52 in custody at the end of the year. There was 1 escape, and 1 prisoner was sentenced for committing an aggravated assault on a prison officer. The conduct of the remainder has been good. The health of the prisoners generally has been good. Two were admitted to thepublic hospital for minor operations, and 1 for observation. In each case the period in hospital was of short duration. The Taranaki mobile x-ray unit visited the prison, during the year, when most of the inmates were x-rayed, and no serious cases of chest complaint detected as a result. Dr. Allen visited the prison weekly and also when called in a case of emergency. The garden continues to absorb most of the labour. The growing of vegetable plants for sale is still being carried on. Vegetables are grown all the year round to meet our own requirements, and the surplus is disposed of to the public hospital, New Plymouth High School hostels, and in the open market. The potato crop met our requirements for seven months. The pig industry has again been very successful, and there is a local demand for all that can be produced. The quarry industry is being worked on a small scale, and provides employment for the inmates who require strict supervision. The purchase of cows for rations has been continued through the Farmers' Cooperative Association. The killing is done on the premises, and all meat is inspected by the Meat Inspector before being issued. We are fortunate at present in having a good cook who provides good meals at all times. We are also fortunate in having a good baker, who has learned the trade while* in prison, and makes excellent bread.

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