H. -20

10

New Plymouth Prison. As in former years, the chief industry has been quarrying, whilst vegetable-growing has been carried on to a considerable extent by the older and more feeble prisoners, a number of whom are located at this prison. A few dairy cows were kept with satisfactory results —milk and butter to the value of £36 being sold. The rearing of pigs shows a profit, and this branch will be further extended during the coming year. Entertainments at intervals were given for the prisoners as in the past. A moving picture provided by the local picture company w r as much appreciated by the prisoners. The general health of the prisoners throughout the year was satisfactory. Paparua Prison. The health of the prisoners generally has been good, very few cases necessitating hospital treatment. The majority of the able-bodied prisoners were employed throughout the year on general, farming-work. The erection of the, west cell-range and. a new cottage at the southern end of the farm provided employment for a number of tradesmen prisoners, and a few skilled men were employed at concrete-block making, and the manufacture of concrete tiles and flagstones. In order that dairying might be properly established, the sheep stock was reduced \ry one-half. Good prices were realized for both ewes and lambs, the total revenue from the pastoral branch being £1,820. The dairy herd now comprises ninety-one cattle —principally heifers —and it is anticipated that next season the number being milked will be considerably increased. The cereal crops were again satisfactory, and produced considerable revenue. Wheat, oats, peas, and tares were sold at satisfactory prices. Entertainments by way of concerts were provided once every two weeks by one or two social workers from Christchurch. These entertainments are greatly appreciated by the prisoners, and credit is due to the promoters for the kind efforts to relieve the dullness of prison life. Moving pictures have also been shown at intervals, and are eagerly looked forward to by the men. The evening educational classes are now being continued under a qualified schoolmaster, who reports as follows : " The school consists of classes from Standard II to Standard VI, and the curriculum is made up of English grammar and composition, arithmetic, and geography, and, in addition, reading and writing for Standard 11. The order and discipline of the classes has been excellent, the attention to the lessons good, and. the progress highly satisfactory." Waikeria, Reformatory for Men. The evening educational classes have been carried on with satisfactory results. The facilities provided by the Department in this direction are appreciated by the inmates, and much valuable work has been accomplished. In addition to carrying on the usual dairying, market-gardening, and general farm-work on the Waikeria property, a number of inmates have been employed on mental-hospital property clearing and bringing into cultivation a large tract of land. During the season an area of approximately 400 acres was cleared from, its virgin state, ploughed, worked, and grassed by the Waikeria inmates. A considerable amount of other developmental work in the way of draining, fencing, and planting was also carried out. The co-operation between the two adjacent institutions (reformatory and mental hospital) has amply justified the hope of its making for increased efficiency and adding to the mutual advantage of both departments in many ways. ' A further year's trial of the " honour " system of employment has more than ever demonstrated the success of the policy as applied to inmates of the class which are at this institution. When the somewhat scattered activities on this and the mental-hospital properties are considered, it will be realized that the " honour " system is carried out to a very wide limit. The facts that (1) there has been, only one attempt at escape during the year, and that by an irresponsible youth newly admitted ; (2) that the- offences, beyond minor breaches of discipline, have been few ; and (3). that, with one exception, men placed in employment on. discharge have done well, stand as incontrovertible evidence of the success of the Department's policy. Satisfactory work has again been carried out in the garden. The tomato crop, the principal output, was a bountiful one, and produced considerable revenue. The formation of a nursery for the growth, of deciduous trees, flowering shrubs, &c, will demonstrate its usefulness in a year or two, when a regular annual supply will be available. Waikune (Erua) Roadmaking and Sawmilling Camp. The sawmill plant was considerably improved by additions and alterations during the early part of the year, resulting in the output being materially increased. Over 163,000 superficial feet of building-timber were sawn during the year, in addition to the cutting of 5,000 fencing-posts, 256 strainers, and large quantities of firewood for other institutions. The success of the milling operations carried out entirely by prison labour demonstrates the suitability of this industry for the employment of prisoners. A considerable amount of road-formation was carried out by the special gang employed at this work. One bridge and several culverts were satisfactorily completed. The stone-crusher was kept steadily at work, and some 40 chains of road were metalled during the summer months. The conduct and industry of the prisoners, with one or two exceptions, have been very satisfactory.