H.—2o

6

The building of the Administrative Wing at Waikeria has been pushed on during the year. At time of writing the rooling-in of this building has just been finished, and it is expected this much-needed work will have been completed and the building occupied early in the new year. Two additional concrete cottages have been built, thus furnishing further accommodation for married officers. The provision of residences is a very important matter, especially so in a remote district such as Waikeria, where rented houses are unobtainable. During the coming year it is hoped to provide more accommodation in this respect. As the whole of the work in this connection is being carried out by Prison labour, and as the necessary sand and shingle is available on the property, the resultant cost is kept down to the minimum. The milking-shed, dairy buildings, engine-room, and separator-room at Waikeria, referred to in my previous report, have been completed, and were in use during the whole of the past milking season. The combined building referred to is constructed of reinforced concrete throughout. The whole of the surrounding fencing-posts are also composed of the same material. A well has also been sunk, and a reinforced-concrete storage tank erected. By this means a high-pressure supply of pure water is made available. Taken altogether, this dairy may be classed as one of the most complete and up-to-date structures of its kind in the Waikato. Nothing in the way of building operations has been carried out at Wellington during the year. At the Addington Female Reformatory a much-needed improvement in the manner of lighting the cells has been carried into effect by installing the electric light throughout. This improvement has added materially to the comfort of the inmates. Work on the now prison being erected at Paparua, near Templeton, has been pushed on during the year. As this building is being constructed of concrete throughout progress is necessarily somewhat slow, but despite this the building, which is one of two stories, has reached roof-level. Better progress would have been possible were it not for the fact that the amount of available labour was limited to the holding-capacity of the temporary buildings in which the men are at present located. The building of two additional cell-houses capable of accommodating thirty men each has been almost completed, also a kitchen block containing bathroom with hot and cold shower-baths. Officers' quarters have also been provided. On the opposite side of the quadrangle a large prison workshop has been erected, also Gaoler's office, clerk's office, storerooms, visiting-rooms, and a small prison hospital. hour separate exerciseyards with lavatory and sanitary conveniences are also being added. The whole of the buildings will be lit by electricity, which can be obtained cheaply from the Lake Coleridge scheme. It is also proposed to establish a high-pressure water-supply, together with a thoroughly efficient septictank system for dealing with the sewerage. This block of buildings, when completed, will for the present be used for the housing of military prisoners, and will be run entirely apart from the temporary cell block at present occupied by civil prisoners. The building of two officers' cottages has been put in hand. Improvements have also been made to the cottages already in occupation. A considerable amount of the materials used in the temporary buildings having been obtained from Lyttelton, where the work 8f demolishing certain portions of the old prison buildings had been begun, the cost of erection was reduced considerably. At Invercargill, owing to the main building having been completed, it has been found possible to devote further attention to the question of drainage and the building of the necessary boundarywalls. During the year considerable progress has been made in both directions. The Borough Council's new drainage system has been extended and connected up. The building-up of the boundary-walls has been further advanced, and at time of writing this work has been practically completed. The work of subdividing the area set apart for exercise and recreation purposes has also been proceeded with. At Invercargill, fortunately, ample space was provided, and on completion of the scheme already begun it should be possible to give effect to the proposals already laid down for the introduction of a thorough and complete system of classification such as this institution requires, An improved system of bathing has also been introduced by installing fifteen hot and cold shower-baths in the basement under the church. This room was formerly used as a schoolroom, but now that the new schoolroom in the North Wing has become available it is no longer needed for school purposes. A new kitchen block, comprising kitchen, bakehouse, laundry, drying-rooms, permanent bathrooms, &c, is now required, and as soon as the necessary plans have been completed this work will be put in hand. The whole of the works referred to have been carried out by prison labour under the control and supervision of the various warderinstructors. Other Works. The prisoners at Auckland have been employed mainly in connection with quarrying, stonedressing, and metal-crushing operations. A small party was employed erecting a stone wall on the Grammar School boundary, but this work has now been completed. The making and repairing of boots for prisoners and officers has also given employment to a limited number of prisoners. The making of reinforced-concrete telegraph-poles for the Post and Telegraph Department was put in hand during the year. The bulk of the prisoners were, however, employed in getting out building-stone and procuring road-metal. The cash received for the latter during the year amounted to the sum of £1,195. At New Plymouth the prisoners were employed in quarrying. The metal so obtained is disposed of to the New Plymouth Borough Council. The revenue forthcoming from this source during the year amounted to the sum of £477. Tree-planting operations were continued at Kaingaroa. Credits received from this source for the year ended 31st March last amounted to the sum of £3,145.