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sides; commands a fine, extensive view; and, owing to the fact that a high hill rises sharply to the south-east, an inexhaustible supply of water, with a pressure of 501b., is available at a small cost for installation. Excavating is not work that makes a good showing, but our tallies give an average of 12 tons of clay dug down and shovelled into trucks per day per man. In about three weeks the ground will be ready for the foundations of the first wing of the prison to be commenced. During the autumn 120 acres of glass were sown. The " strike " was a good one, and now there are 100 sheep and 53 head of cattle grazing in the paddocks, besides 12 horses. llie potato-crop was a good average yield, but owing to the liliglit it had to be dug rather early. The oats cut out well. The Duncan heavy swamp-plough has proved a great success. Land upon which manuka 20 ft. high was growing twelve months ago is now carrying oats, swedes, and mangels, and all crops are looking well. Stumps 13 in. across were turned out by this plough without any difficulty. By tliis means the ground was brought under cultivation a season earlier than could have been the case otherwise. The crops sown during this year consist of —oats, .'ill acres; swedes. 10 acres ; mangels, 3 acres; potatoes, 0 acres. Fencing and subdividing was carried on. Divine service, both for Protestants and Roman Catholics, was held every Sunday. I delivered several lectures to the men upon topical subjects ; and Principal Warder Down delivered a course of instruction on pipe and drain laying. The probationary warders were coached for their examinations, and lectures on penology were delivered to the staff. Two probationary officers were retired for default. With these exceptions, the staff has winked with zeal and ability. The Under-Secretary for Justice, Wellington. J. L. A. Kayi.l.

WAIPA PRISON. Sik,— H..M. Prison, Waipa, 19th January, 1914. 1 have the honour to forward annual returns and report of this prison for the year ended .'! Ist December. 1913. There were in custody on the Ist January, 1913, 20 males; received during the year, 34 males; discharged on expiration of sentence, 21 males; reformative-detention prisoners released on probation on recommendation of Prisons Board, 7; transferred to other prisons. 2 males; in custody at end of year. 24 males. There was one punishment for a minor breach of the Prison Regulations, which was dealt with l>v a Visiting Justice. One prisoner escaped from custody, but was speedily recaptured ami sentenced to an additional term of imprisonment. The health of the prisoners has been good, there being only 2 eases of sickness of over forty eight hours' duration. The rations supplied to prisoners have been of good quality. The officers have performed their duties satisfactorily. Divine service was conducted on the first Sunday of each month by a Church of England minister from Rotorua. The following is a summary of the work done by the prisoners during the year : Clearing for tree-planting, 190 acres; pitting, 640,450; planting, 51,000; formation of road .and paddock; clearing growth amongst trees; maintenance of roads and fire-breaks; planting blanks, 253,350; general repairs to buildings. Nisi hi trees planted: Larix europaen, 50.000; Pinus l.aririn, 249,526; Douglasii, 4.000; Sequoia sempervirens, 825: total, 304,350. Value of work done, £1)59 15s. 4d. * I have, &c, Geo. Anderson, The Under-Secretary for Justice, Wellington. Acting-Gaoler.

NEW PLYMOUTH PRISON. Sir, — H.M. Prison, New Plymouth, 12th January, 1914. 1 have the honour to report herewith on the working of this prison for the year ending 31st December. 1013. There were 53 males in custody at the commencement of the year, 15 of whom were habituals. Dining the jrear 95 males, 31 of whom were habituals, and 4 females were received. At the end of the \iiii , there were in custody 44 males (39 of whom were habituals) ami no females. 'Hie Prisons Board visited once during the year, and recommended the release of 39 habituals on probation. Employment was found for all those released who required it. The health of the prisoners has been good. There were 3 admissions to the Hospital, all very old men, one of whom died there. An inquest was held, and a verdict returned of death from natural causes. The conduct of the prisoners has been good, only 3 men being punished for minor prison offences.