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desire. Others are anxious to reform, promise to do so, and from their point of view are really in earnest; but as a result of the influence of heredity, or perhaps environment, or perchance a combination of both, they again offend and are returned to prison. Such offenders are, to bo pitied rather than blamed. It is questionable whether in the interests of society men or women of both of the classes referred to should not be permanently segregated in special institutions. Works and Industries : Progress during the Year. As Inspector and Works Supervisor I have, frequently visited the whole of the institutions under the control of the Prisons Department where works arc being carried out. I am pleased to report that the advance in efficiency referred to in last year's report still continues. Auckland. —At Auckland, where, a few years ago £2,000 was considered a fair amount by way of payment for road-metal supplied to local bodies, 1921-22 produced a revenue of £1.2,000, while for the past year £15,000 has been the amount received. In addition to turning out metal to the above value, a larger and more up-to-date crushing plant, with elevators and bins capable of holding 300 tons of metal products, has been installed. There are now two large jaw crushers available, and in addition a chip-crushing machine for turning out chips for concrete-making purposes. The air-compressor plant is also being duplicated, which will permit of six pneumatic drills being operated at one and the same time if necessary, and an addition to the railway-siding has been made. The whole of this plant will soon be completed and in full working-order. Next year should therefore be a record year in metal-production. It is to be regretted that lack of funds has prevented the completion of the two partially built officers' residences, especially in view of the fact that the completion of the cottages referred to would always assist in the solution of the housing question. Waikeria. —The main work carried out during the year has consisted in the breaking-in, cultivating, and laying down in grass of 400 acres of land for the Mental Hospital Department. In addition the farming of the Prisons Department's own areas of 1,800 acres has been continued, and the property is now one of the best in the district. Waikune (Waimarino). —Roadmaking and bridge-building have been continued. Seven miles of road lying between Raurimu and Erua has been formed, and the work of metalling is being pushed on. Two stone-crushers have been established. One large bridge over the Makeretu Stream has been built, and several others are in course of construction ; many concrete culverts have been put in. The sawmill recently established continues to turn out timber for use, on bridge-building works and for governmental purposes. A party of prisoners is also being constantly employed on the work of keeping open the Waimarino-Tokaanu Road. Taken altogether, the employment of prisoners on work of this class has proved a great success. Wi Tako (Trentham). —Brickmaking and the clearing and draining of the swamp lying at the back of Trentham Camp have been the chief industries. The new Sercombe continuous kiln has been completed and is in use. In view of future requirements for governmental buildings, &c, it was deemed advisable to install a more modern plant than the wire-cut type of machine originally supplied. A new Bradley and Craven brickmaking-machine of the stiff-plastie-brick-making type, and capable of turning out 12,000 bricks daily, has been installed. This plant is one of the best of its kind, and is capable of turning out bricks that will be equal to any produced in the Dominion. The two additional cottages referred to in last year's report have been completed and are now occupied by Prison officers. The work of clearing and draining the swamp portion of this property is being proceeded with. A large new stable has been built, fences erected, and a tree-planting scheme with the object of assisting in a reafforestation programme is now well advanced. Wellington. —The work of levelling the Mount Cook site for the Technical School authorities has been continued, while two cottages were pulled down in sections and removed elsewhere. At the Terrace gardening has been the chief industry, and preparations are in progress to permit of further excavation work being put in hand, once the site for a new trial, remand, and short-sentenced prison for Wellington has been decided upon. The working of the shingle deposits at Fort Dorset upon a royalty basis has been undertaken by arrangement between the Defence and Prisons Departments, and in accordance with plans and specifications prepared by the Public Works Department, which provide for the working of the deposits in such a manner as will result in the area being considerably improved, and when completed left in a condition fit for use for recreation purposes. Point Halswell Reformatory for Women. —A considerable amount of valuable work has been carried out by male prisoners whereby the surroundings have been considerably improved. A drainage-system has been put in and a much-needed septic tank built. A drying-room has been erected and a heating plant installed. Additional buildings are now in course of erection for the purpose of providing separate accommodation for young womon ordered to be detained for- reformative purposes. Paparua (near Christchurch). — The second, cell-range has been nearly completed, and work commenced on the exercise-yards subdivision. An early start is to be made in connection with the putting-in of foundations for the administration block, which is much needed. An additional cottage for one of the farm officers is now in course of erection. A septic tank has also been built. In addition, farming operations have been considerably advanced, also roadmaking, fencing, &c, A large kitchen-garden has also been brought under cultivation. Taken altogether this property has been considerably improved, and is now a most valuable asset. Lyttelton. —The work of demolishing the old prison has been put in hand. As you are aware, when put, up to auction this portion of the property failed to find a buyer, it being considered that the cost'of pulling down the old buildings, containing six to seven thousand yards of solid concrete, would be prohibitive. This work is now, however, proving a source of profit and not of loss to the Department. An agreement has been- made with the Lyttelton Harbour Board by which the whole