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Nearly 10,000 cubic: feet of stone was dressed for building purposes, and, approximately, some 6,500 cubic yards of stone, scoria, &c, quarried. The hill on the right side of the Normanby Road approach to the reserve has been taken back half a chain for a distance of 40 yards, in order to give a prospective view a chain wide from the main entrance-gate to that boundary. The stone-crusher did the usual good work ; metal therefrom and quarry-waste, &c, brought in the respectable sum of £1,184 cash, in addition to transfer credits from other Departments amounting to close on £100. Prisoners in the various workshops have done excellent work. Female prisoners have been similarly and fully employed as in previous years ; I have therefore every reason to be well satisfied with both the quantity and class of work done. A few promotions and changes in the subordinate staff took place. The Chief Warder was promoted to superior rank, and transferred to Wanganui as Gaoler : the senior principal to Chief Warder ; and the acting principal to full rank. The conduct of officers was good, and, generally speaking, they carried out their various duties satisfactorily. A word of praise is due to the principal warder clerk and the warder assistant, fingerprinting. &c., lor the manner in which they have carried out their office duties. The spiritual needs of prisoners were not overlooked, clergymen and lay-readers of the various denominations visting them regularly. Tiii>: First Offenders' Probation Act. At the commencement of the year there were 12 males and 3 females on the register of this probation district. At local Courts A 1 males and 3 females were given the benefits of the Act—29 at the Supreme and 15 at the Magistrate's. I believe these numbers constitute a record here since the Act came into force. Four males were transferred from other districts, making a total of 57 males 6 females dealt with during the year. Of this number, 11 males and 3 females satisfactorily carried out the conditions of their license ; 21 males and 1 female were transferred to other districts ; and 1, for the commission of a fresh offence, was sentenced to a term of imprisonment, leaving a total of 26—viz., 24 males and 2 females —on the books at the end of the year. Some 130 reports were written for the information of the Courts during the year, in addition to a considerable amount of correspondence in connection therewith. These duties have necessarily taken much time and attention in their performance. In conclusion, I desire to thank all ranks of the police, both in the city and country districts, for the valuable assistance rendered me in carrying out the intentions of the Act. T. R. POINTON, The Inspector of Prisons, Wellington. Gaoler and Probation Officer. DUNE DIN PRISON. H.M. Prison, Dunedin, 2nd January, 1909. I have the honour to report that during the year 1908 the conduct arid industry of the prisoners has been very good. There were only 3 prisoners punished for 5 minor offences, a decrease of 3 prisoners and 2 offences on last year. There were no escapes nor attempted escapes. The health of the prisoners has been excellent ; practically there was no sickness during the year. Two male prisoners weTe removed to the public Hospital ; they were in a poor state of health when received, and their sentences expired while detained in the institution. One hard-labour prisoner who showed signs of mental aberration was sent to the SeaclitT Mental Hospital, and after a brief period he was returned to the prison as convalescent. The contractors for supplies have given every satisfaction, all articles being of excellent quality. There were no complaints. The prisoners at Taiaroa Heads Prison are employed quarrying and excavating for mounting big guns ; also for magazines for storage of explosives and reserve stores. The mat-making industry in the town prison is making good progress ; the work is very satisfactory. There were 4 reports against subordinate officers, as against 8 in 1907 —2 neglect of duty, 1 drunkenness, 1 insubordination. On the whole, the conduct and supervision of the officers has been satisfactory. The following changes in the staff have taken place : 1 officer resigned, 4 were transferred to other prisons, and 5 were transferred to this from other prisons. It is with regret that I have to record the death of the Prison Surgeon, Dr. Coughtrey, after a brief period of only eighteen months from the date of his appointment. The gentleman was most assiduous in his attention to his duties, and was greatly respected. Dr. O'Neill has acted as Prison Surgeon since his den I h. First Offenders' Probation Act. There were 4 males and no females on probation on the first of the year. At the local Courts 9 males were placed on probation, and 4 were received on transfer from other districts, making a total of !7 males. Of these, 6 were discharged after completing their respective terms, 6 were transferred to other districts, and 1 was arrested for forgery and sentenced to eighteen months 1 hard labour, thus leaving 4 males on probation at the end of the year. J. H. Bratby, The Inspector of Prisons, Wellington. Gaoler.