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" passive resister " type, who indulges in the "go slow " method. This class of man is hard to deal with. As long as he remains in the class he injures the working-tone, and yet with so many to observe it, is almost, impossible to counter his resistance. It is necessary for the good of such pupils that some other incentive to work be found; as a, matter of fact, all the men require an incentive to work, this being more particularly true because of the fact that they are physically tired. It is necessary that the school bo compulsory, and, in addition, that each pupil be demanded to show a result in keeping with his ability. As I have pointed out above, a number of the men will give only as much as is demanded from them, and not that without compulsion. However, the tone of the class is better now than it has been since I took it over, and it seems more permanent in spite of the adverse influence of the new-comer and the passive resister. The discipline of the class has been excellent throughout the year, and I would like to remark here on the assistance I have received in that and other respects from the officers in charge during the year. It might appear that the tone of my report was one leaning towards complaint. That, I wish to make clear, is not so. I have developed a real interest in these men. The majority of them arc not criminals in the true sense of the word, and never will be. They have made mistakes, but on leaving the institution they will make no more. They will eventually become good citizens. They certainly deserve the chance they are getting. If I appear to complain it is through zeal for their interests and through no desire to upset the regulations of the institution — rather a desire to see this scheme for their education more fully and more thoroughly developed, for the saying that " ignorance and crime run hand in hand " seems to bo fully borne out in the case of these unfortunate men. KAINGAROA AFFORESTATION CAMP. The Prisons Board held a meeting hero on one occasion during the year, examined and interviewed all prisoners sentenced to reformative detention, and subsequently recommended the release (on probationary license) of fifteen prisoners. The general conduct of the prisoners has been exemplary, and the work done on the plantation has been entirety satisfactory. The following is a. summary of the work carried out by the prisoners for the Forestry Department, during the year, viz. : Pits dug, 1,087,186; trees planted, 1,839,800; lining out, weeding, forming fire-breaks, clearing for tree-planting, roadmaking, fencing, stable-work, and general upkeep. The amount earned by prisoners for the year represents a sum of £2,408. The general health of the prisoners has been very good; there were no cases of sickness during the year. Divine service was conducted periodically throughout the year. I wish to place on record the thorough manner in which the officers carried out their varied duties, which have been greatly increased owing to the influx of military prisoners, and the inauguration of a complete system of separation, necessitating a considerable amount of vigilant supervision. Six officers arrived on transfer, three were transferred, and two resigned during the year. The quantity of fresh vegetables grown in the Prison garden was more than sufficient for the requirements of the Prison. The oat crop was harvested in February last and was a huge success, providing sufficient chaff for the Prison horses. Surplus chaff to the value of £18 was sold, covering the expense of a tip-dray purchased by the Department for the use of the Prison. The excellent potato crop has provided sufficient potatoes to carry us through the year. A crop of hay was taken off the 12-acre block recently laid down in grasses and clover. About sixty pigs were bred during the year; twenty-eight were killed for prison rations, market value at 6d. per pound being £60 3s. 2d.; and pigs to the value of £1.2 ss. were sold. A cottage for the use of the Officer in Charge was erected by prison labour. LYTTELTON PRISON. The health of the prisoners has been good, but a large number of old and crippled men are sent to this Prison, thus increasing the daily average of sick and casuals. The conduct and industry of the prisoners have been good; there were few charges of a serious nature, and the minor offences were dealt with by the local Visiting Justices. No deaths occurred in the Prison during the year. The rations supplied were of good quality, and the substitution of fish in lieu of meat on one day weekly has been appreciated. With the recent additions to and changes in the dietary scale there is little ground for any complaint that may be made as to the food now issued to prisoners. As hitherto, the chief employment for prisoners is quarrying for the Borough Council, but, owing to the transfer to Paparua and tree-planting camps of all suitable men, the number available for outside labour here is now much reduced. All the cottages occupied by the Prison officers have been repaired and repainted, and are now in a serviceable condition. The bootmaking department has been fully employed in filling the orders received from the prisons and other Government institutions. Divine service was held every Sunday by ministers of the several local denominations, but the stopping of the Sunday train has prevented the attendance of the clergymen from Christchurch who usually conducted the extra Sunday service.