H—2ob

Many youths arc earning high wages—and a man's wag* 1 in many instances—but having had 110 guidance and perhaps little restraint they have little sense of the value of their earnings, with the result that thrift and a sense of proportion are lacking in many instances. As in recent years, there has been no serious difficulty in placing probationers in suitable employment; some go from one job to another and may never properly establish themselves for that reason alone, but many are reasonably well placed considering varying ability and ambitions. It is consistent that many have no trade nor training in any particular direction, sometimes a difficulty in itself. In the matter of employment, the helpful understanding and co-opera-tion of the officers of the Labour and Employment Department have been appreciated: an appeal for assistance invariably results in the probationer being placed to his immediate advantage. The Maori Welfare Officers and the Ngati Poneke Maori Club continue their interest in relative cases, but the young Maori in the city remains a problem, mainly because many lack proper homes and reside under very indifferent conditions—apart altogether from delinquency and excessive drinking that have become problems in themselves among young Maoris. In certain cases, co-operation has resulted in the young Maori being returned to his home or relatives away from the city altogether. I would like to express my appreciation of the services of my assistant, Mr. A. F. Orr: with his helpful co-operation our association has made for much closer supervision and an increasing service to the Courts. During the year over 300 written reports were submitted to the Courts. As in former years, the willing assistance of the Honorary Justices' Association, the Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society, the Salvation Army, the City Mission, and the Missions to Seamen has been available on all occasions and is gratefully acknowledged. I would like also to express my appreciation of the helpful interest of the Judges of the Supreme Court and Magistrates, and the courtesy and assistance at the hands of the police and Court officials. Mr. W. H. Darby, Probation Officer, Christchurch The year under review has been one of steady progress. Mention has been made in previous reports of the '' bird of passage '' type of probationer; this unstable type, in the final analysis, affects the percentage of success in any one district, and the majority of probationers coming before the Courts here during the past year for breaches of probation, and also on the original charge, have been of this type. So far as probationers released by the Courts are concerned, the conduct of the majority has been exemplary and their industry first class. In the past I have found it necessary to draw the attention of the authorities to the fact that certain persons were being released on probation without a report first being obtained from the Probation Officer. It is, in my opinion, desirable that a report be obtained, as it assists in deciding what to do with an offender and avoids the risk of probation being granted in unsuitable cases. Under the Offenders Probation Act, 57 were released on probation from th<? Courts and 60 were transferred from other districts; 65 were transferred from this district, 2 left the country, 44 completed their terms, 7 were sentenced on fresh charges, while 3 were sentenced for breach of probation, leaving 78 011 hand at the end of the year. The amount of restitution collected was £528 17s. 3d. and costs of prosecution amounted to £3O os. 6d.

8