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was mot with for a long distance, and a deal of blasting had to bo done, thousands of yards of stone having to be removed. The work has been well done, and while the school benefits by having a larger playground space, together with lives-courts for the pupils, the back wall of the courts cuts the prison-yards off from view from the school-windows. Quarry-work has, as usual, utilized the largest working-party. Notwithstanding that the large stone-crusher was out of action for most of the year, the sale of road-metal brought the sum of £1,080 lis. 9d. The cell-floors in the West Wing, originally put down in concrete and roughly finished, have lioon picked up and relaid with wood; the balconies and corridor were also picked up and relaid in cement. This wing now presents a bright, cheerful appearance. The kitchen-floor and floors of two adjoining rooms were also picked up and relaid in cement. General minor alterations have been made in parts of the Prison, all tending to improve the general conditions. The old wooden buildings which have been an eyesore for a number of years have all been demolished, and the timber and iron used in erecting sheds outside the walls, portions being also sent to other prisons to be used in temporary buildings. The space formerly occupied by those old buildings is to be utilized for workshops now being erected, and for yards, &c. Physical drill for prisoners is carried on daily with satisfactory results, the drill instructor being assiduous in making them proficient in all the latest forms of drill. The way they gp through the various movements reflects the highest credit on the instructor and prisoners alike. Evening classes for prisoners thrice weekly are still being carried on under a certificated teacher. The progress made is very satisfactory. The conduct of the staff on the whole has been very satisfactory. One officer was dismissed, and one called on to resign. With these exceptions, 1 have reason to bo well satisfied with their conduct and efficiency. Report of the Schoolmaster at Auckland. As I was placed in charge of the Mount Eden Prison School only on the Bth March I am unable to report at any great length upon the work of the prisoners who attend. The number of pupils of subnormal intelligence is surprisingly small. Only two or three are lazy, and with very few exceptions the pupils voluntarily do a very satisfactory amount of private study during the intervals between " school " nights. The Maoris are for the most part quick and intelligent, but many are handicapped by the lack of even the little education the white men possess. One peculiarity is the readiness with which even the best pupils make excuses for various errors, even when the mistakes they make are absolutely unavoidable. Lack of self-confidence is apparent in most of the men, but a somewhat childish eagerness to appear well in the eyes of their fellows leads to many a subterfuge. For instance, one very weak reader, a Maori, was most anxious that he should be allowed to read a certain piece of poetry on the last night he was to attend class. He acquitted himself very well indeed, but it did not need very close observation to discover that he had learned the whole poem by heart, doubtless with the aid of some sympathetic friend. Still, he made a good impression. On the whole, I have no hesitation in stating that, as far as the industry of the pupils is concerned and the interest they take in their work, the school at Mount Eden Prison should be regarded as an unqualified success. One discouraging feature, however, is the number of times that men who are making good progress are removed to the prison camps where no primary-school work is taken. GISBORNE GAOL. The health and conduct of the prisoners have been good. There wore a, few minor cases of sickness, caused through the effects of alcoholism before reception. The prisoners were employed during the year at keeping the Prison clean and attending to the grounds, also making concrete posts and building the wall around the Prison grounds. The female prisoners have been constantly employed at keeping their quarters clean and washing and repairing prisoners' clothing and blankets. GREYMOUTH GAOL. The general health of prisoners has been very good. The prisoners were employed during the year digging and cropping Prison garden, washing and cleaning, and repairing clothing. The sum of £7 Is. lid. has been realized from the sale of vegetables grown in the Prison garden. The garden is again cropped with potatoes and vegetables. INVERCARGILL BORSTAL INSTITUTION. The health of the prisoners has been good. There was one escape during the year; the escapee was recaptured and returned to the institution within a few hours. The conduct of the inmates generally has been very satisfactory. Physical drill and school in the evenings still show good results and continue to work well. Several lectures of an interesting and instructive nature were given during school vacation by local gentlemen.