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ploughed up, and potatoes, carrots, and onions have been planted. Several hives of bees have been procured, and the prisoners take a great interest looking after them. Several new pigsties have been built, and the pigs are in very good condition. There are 75 per cent, of the prisoners working overtime, which in my opinion has a good effect in the camp. The following is a summary of the work done during the year by the prisoners on the plantations: Area cleared, acres; pitting, 171,000; planting, 760,013; planting blanks, 12,250. List of trees planted: Pinus laricio, 425,800; Pinus teocote, 2,263; Larix europcea, 270,500; blanks, 7,100; Eucalyptus sluartiana, 59,375; Pseudo-tsuga douglassi, 2,550; Thuya gigantea, 425; Sequoia sempervirens, blanks, 5,150. During the year the Acting-Gaoler and three warders were transferred to other prisons, and three warders were received. The zeal and efficiency of the officers of the present staff cannot be too highly commended. I have, &c, J. Down, The Under-Secretary for Justice, Wellington. Acting-Gaoler.

WELLINGTON PRISON. Sib, —■ H.M. Prison, Wellington, 24th January, 1912. I have the honour to forward annual returns and report of this prison for 1911. On the 10th June I took charge here, on transfer from Dunedin (relieving Mr. Millington, the late Gaoler, who I regret to state died on the 29th June). There were in custody on the Ist January 165 males and 33 females, total 198; 1,039 males and 174 females were received, total 1,213, of which number 153 males and 41 females were received twice and upwards. The actual individual admissions were 759 males and 96 females, total 855; 1,056 males and 185 females were discharged, total 1,241. In custody, 31st December, 148 males and 22 females, total 170. Three males and 2 females were sent to the public hospital; 1 female died while there, and the others after treatment were received back. Four males and 1 female were transferred to the mental hospital at Porirua; 1 male escaped, and has not been recaptured; 2 males and 3 females sentenced to reformative treatment were released on probation on the recommendation of the Prisons Board. The prisoners were employed at Mount Cook, brick and tile making; at Point Halswell and Dorset Point, on defence works; and at the Terrace, bootmaking, gardening, &c. All vegetables supplied for rations are grown in the grounds attached to the prison. The rations supplied by contractors have been of good quality. The conduct of prisoners has been good, there being but 14 cases requiring punishment for minor prison offences. The services of two temporary officers were dispensed with for negligence in connection with the escape from prison of a prisoner serving a long sentence. Services were held every Sunday by ministers of the various denominations. The Fibst Offbndebs' Peobation Act. On the Ist January there were 10 males and 2 females on probation; 18 males and 1 female were placed on probation during the year; 16 males and 3 females were discharged—viz., on expiration of period, 7 males and 2 females; transferred to other districts, 3 males and 1 female; left the Dominion (special permission being grantetd), 3 males; absconded, 1 male; rearrested for breaking conditions of license and sentenced to reformative treatment, 2 males. On probation, 31st December, 12 males. Two habitual criminals discharged on probation from New Plymouth Prison were transferred to this district. One has since died, and the other, after doing well for a time, again reverted to crime, was arrested and sentenced to a further term of imprisonment. I have, t&c., J. C. Scanlon, The Under-Secretary for Justice, Wellington. Gaoler and Probation Officer.