H.--20

10

charged with vagrancy, and sent to gaol. Most of those either suffer from old age or are physically unfit. One who is over eighty-six years of age is certainly more fit for a home than for a gaol. The prisoners have been employed during the earlier part of the year at the Borough Council quarries, and from tli«- Ist June they have been excavating the site and building a retaining-wall for the Children's Home. This work is now completed and will suit the purpose intended admirably. Besides being a useful work, it afforded instruction to the men employed. The conduct of the officers has been good. One resigned. I was transferred to another prison, and 1 was received here on transfer. The First Offenders' Probation Act. There weve 1) males on the register on the Ist January : of these 6 have carried out the terms of their license and have been discharged. There were 3 males placed on probation, and 3 were transferred to other districts. One was rearrested and sentenced to a term of imprisonment, leaving 2 reporting at the end of the yen. I have, &c, Alfred Gideon, The Under-Secretary lor Justice. Wellington. Gaoler and Probation Officer.

NEW PLYMOUTH PRISON. Sir. H.M. Prison, New Plymouth, 13th January, 1911. I have the honour to report on the working of this prison for the year ending 31st December. 1910. There were 49 males (including 15 habitual criminals) and (i females (including 4 habitual criminals) in custody at the commencement of the year. There were 155 males (including 21 habitual criminals) and L 3 females (including 1 habitual criminal) received during the year, and 155 males and 13 females were discharged, leaving in custody at the end of the year 111 males (of whom 26 are habitual criminals) and 4 females (of whom i tire habitual criminals). Ten males and 3 females were discharged from the reformatory during tin- year. Employment was found for all discharged habituals who required it. and the majority of them are doing well. The health of the prisoners has been good ; I male who was admitted to the hospital was returned convalescent shortly afterwards. The conduct and industry of the prisoners has been good : this is specially noticeable with those in the reformatory. The rations and meat supplied have been of excellent quality. The prisoners have been employed principally in quarrying. The sum of £490 14s. 9d. has been paid into the Public Account for sales of metal and gravel during the year. A few old men and others not physically fit for hard labour, have been employed in the garden, where an abundant supply of vegetables has been raised for the use of the prison, The conduct of the officers has been good. First Offenders' Probation Act. There were 3 males and 1 female on probation at the commencement of the year. These have all completed their terms in a satisfactory manner. One male was placed on probation during the year and transferred to another district. I have, &c, J. Coyle, The Under-Secretary lor Justice, Wellington. Gaoler, Manager, and Probation Officer.

WAIOTAIT PRISON. SIR, H.M. Prison. Waiotapu, Bth January, 1911. I have the honour to forward herewith the aiiniial return for this prison for the year ending 31st December, 1910. I took charge of this prison on 21th June. 1910, on transfer from Wellington Prison. There were in custody at the commencement of the year 47 hard-labour prisoners. Received during the year, 39 ; discharged. 11 : transferred. 8 : in custody at the end of the year, 45. Mr. Dyer, S.M., who visited the camp on several occasions, examined the rations and inspected the camp. He reported everything bi factory. The variation in the prison dietary scale, by giving roast meat three times a week, is well appreciated by the prisoners. Divine service was conducted hv Mr. Raikes, up to the Ist May, l.tit he has since retired, and Mr. Carter, from Rotorua, has taken up his duties. Two prisoners who were sick were taken into Rotorua to see the doctor, who recom mended that they be sent to Auckland for treatment. Other minor cases of sickness were treated in the camp. Several prisoners were transferred to Auckland for misconduct, and a few were fined marks. Five officers were transferred and 5 were received. In the endeavour to make the camp as much selfsupporting as possible I have bred several sheep and pigs, and from the waste material in the kitchen have manufactured all the soap required. Several prisoners have been employed during the year building the common room, the new huts, and making alterations to the old huts. The hot-water pipes have been installed through the common room, and are working very satisfactorily. The remainder of prisoners have been employed on the plantations.