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agencies wo have for the prevention of crime, and everything possible should bo done to assist, the officers appointed under those Acts in carrying out their work thoroughly and efficiently. Much good work is being done, but, much more is possible if adequate assistance is made available. The returns received from all the First Offender Probation Officers throughout the Dominion show that, 127 persons were placed upon probation in 1917, compared with 125 in 1916. Of those placed upon probation during tin.' year thirteen completed their probation without relapse. The remainder have not, yet served the tonus to which they were committed. The total sum ordered by the Courts to be paid by the probationers towards the cost of prosecutions amounted to £323 18s. 6d. Of this sum £300 ss. 6d. was collected. Had the probationers been committed to prison the amount recovered would have been lost to the State. I am, &c, C. E. Matthews, Permanent Head of the Prisons Department and Inspector of Prisons.

EXTRACTS FROM REPORTS OF SUPERINTENDENTS, CAOLKRS, AND OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF INSTITUTIONS FOR 1017. ADDINGTON REFORMATORY FOR WOMEN. The conduct of the prisoners on the whole has been good. The work consists of vegetable and flower gardening, sowing, knitting, farming, laundry, cleaning, and cooking. The list of the work done for the city branch Red Cross during the year is as follows : 031 pairs pyjamas, 142 pairs underpants, 585 vests, 8,028 handkerchiefs, 134| dozen slings, 90 dressinggowns, 275 face-cloths, 459 pillow-slips, 55 draw-sheets, 4 foot-rests, 12 bed-jackets, (iO dusters, 24 white caps, 12 tea-towels, 3 bed-spreads, 405 pairs socks, 10 pairs knee-caps. Supplies of meat, bread, fish, milk, &c, have all boon of excellent quality. Concerts and suitable lectures were given by the different denominations at intervals throughout the year. Official Visitors have visited regularly, also the representative of the Prison Gate Mission. Divine service has boon held by Canon Bean, Father OTlare, Mr. Small, and the Salvation Army. Ample Christmas cheer was provided, and greatly enjoyed by the prisoners. My experience in this institution and others leads me to stress the necessity of supplementing the existing organizations for rendering help to discharged prisoners, immediately they recover their liberty, towards obtaining suitable employment in congenial surroundings away from those associated with the circumstances of their misfortunes. in the absence of the Superintendent (Miss Gilkes) from the Dominion on war service, the responsibilities of the position devolved upon the Matron (Mrs. Mcßryde) for the greater part of the year. The staff was enlarged by the addition of two assistants, owing to the extended operations and to improvements in the building required for the better working of the institution. AUCKLAND PRISON. There were three deaths during the year —viz., one male and two females. One male and one female died in the District Hospital, to which they had boon removed. The other female died in prison. She was suffering from partial paralysis and heart trouble, and was helpless when admitted. One male awaiting trial committed suicide in his cell by hanging. An inquest was held in each case. The health of the prisoners, with a few exceptions, was good. There were two escapes from the Prison. The escapees were caught almost immediately by the, Prison officials. The quality of food supplied to the Prison has been excellent, and with the variety now given, including fish once a week, there is no room for any complaint. There were sixty-eight prison offences dealt with by the Visiting Justices against thirty-seven prisoners. The conduct of the prisoners on the whole has been very good. The work done during the year has been varied. The subdividing of the new exercise-yards commenced at the end of last year is near completion, and the yards have been occupied for some months. This work necessitated the making of a great number of concrete blocks, and the cutting and dressing of stone coping for wall buildings. The sanitary arrangements and the proper levelling of the yards before'being asphalted is being pushed on with all speed. The additional yards enable us to separate the various classes of prisoners while inside the Prison walls. The stone wall dividing the Grammar School from the Prison is nearly completed. It has been a much bigger undertaking than was anticipated, as in clearing the ground solid rock