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H—2o

Entertainments for prisoners were provided on twelve occasions by the Returned Services' Association, the Salvation Army, the Addington Male Voice Choir, and theRoyal Christchurch Musical Society. The departmental pictures were displayed on six occasions, and a series of thirteen lectures were provided by the Workers' Educational Association. These entertainments were greatly appreciated by the inmates, and I am indebted to the various organizations for the interest they have shown in this regard. The institution school was conducted by Mr. A. W. Kibblewhite. General repair work has been carried out to the staff residences, also the completion of the new cottage taken over from the Army Department at Addington Reformatory. Repair work has also been carried out at the Addington Reformatory. The inside roof" of the east wing has been lined with Pinex board, and this completes the repair of thiswing. Work on the new blacksmith-shop is proceeding very satisfactorily, but we are still held up with several articles of building-material, and this building will be in use early in April. The quarrying industry has been kept working at full capacity and there is still demand for crushed metal. The new plant is taking shape. The bins have been erected, and we are waiting for the delivery of the crushing plant from England, which is duefor delivery in April or early May. With the stock-piling of oversize metal the saleshave dropped, but it is anticipated that when the new plant is in working-order there should be a considerable improvement in the sale of crushed metal. The blockmaking industry is at a standstill owing to the shortage of reinforcingsteel and cement, and when these lines are available the industry will be revived again. In the garden industry every effort has had to be made to maintain the supply of vegetables for ration purposes. The abnormally dry spring and summer retarded production considerably, and consequently there was only a very small portion of thegarden produce available for sale in the local market. The poultry industry was carried on with marked success. Egg-production for the year totalled 7,560 dozen, and the cash return from the sale of eggs has been very good indeed. The results from the chick-hatching operations were most gratifying, and 518 pullets were raised to augment the flock of laying birds. Also, over 600 cockerels were fattened, and these, together with hens culled from the flock, brought remunerative prices on the Christchurch market. The farming section, under the direction of Mr. B. J. S. Wilson, has experienced an exceptionally disappointing year, solely by reason of the abnormally dry seasons, with an absence of any really beneficial rainfall at critical periods. As a result, the cropping, returns are in the main very poor, and in some cases, as with the hay crop, practically a failure. There has also been a marked deterioration in the pasture paddocks. The returns from the sheep section are quite satisfactory under the circumstances. The lambing percentage was 112. Lambs fattened for the export trade averaged out a little lighter than usual, and owing to the shortage of fodder it became necessary at the latterend of the season to dispose of 393 lambs as stores. The wool-clip of 42 bales average £6O per bale. The tractor and the horse teams have given satisfactory service in the cultivation work on the farm. The small dairy herd maintained here has been sufficient to meet our requirements, with a fairly good surplus of cream which has been supplied to a local dairy factory. Good results have also been achieved in the pig section. The timber plantation is coming along very well, and good growth is now evident in those trees planted out in the early stages of the work. In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation for the co-operation of the staff in carrying out work of the institution during the past year. The services so freely given by the Visiting Justices to the prison have been much appreciated.

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