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used in connection with the works in progress is being obtained from Bushy Point and cut at the Department's sawmill, credit for same being obtained from the Public Works Department. The new baths building is being pushed on rapidly, and considerable progress has been made in its erection. The lighters have brought up 1,180 cubic yards gravel, 100 cubic yards sand, 653 cubic yards rubble, 83 cubic yards shell, and 228 cords of firewood. Borstal Institution School : Report of Senior Schoolmaster. I beg to send report of evening classes held at the Borstal Institution, Invercargill, during the year ended 31st March, 1925. The total number of pupils in the various classes from Primer 3 to Standard VI is at present 130 Six of this year's pupils were classed as illiterates, and several newcomers had to enter the primer classes. The results obtained are gratifying in that there are no longer any illiterates. A special class has been formed for dealing with the very backward. During the last term of the year special attention was given to arithmetic in each class, and the testing of pupils resulted in a new classification, several receiving promotion. The English, so far as reading is concerned, has not been found to give a suitable standard for promotion. In all the standards the books read are more advanced than is usual for primary-school lads, and intelligent reading of prose and of poetry is general. It is difficult to get answers from the inmates, who appear very self-conscious before their fellow-students. Written intellige ;ce tests, the answers of which are made brief, have been adopted to encourage response. The general tone and discipline are good, while nearly a ll give evidence of interest in their work. Napier Prison. On the Ist January, 1924, there were in custody 13 male prisoners ; received during the year, 153 male and 7 female prisoners—total, 160. The health of prisoners has been generally good. One male, prisoner, a Maori, was sent to district hospital suffering from an incurable abscess, and two other prisoners suffering with less serious complaints. One was discharged on remission, and the other was in hospital until expiry of sentence. Prisoners have been employed at quarry-work, building a 430 ft. retaining-wall on Marine Parade frontage of Prison Reserve, with steps and approaches to terrace forming a part of the wall. The wall is 5 ft. 6 in. high, averaging 2 ft. at base and .18 in. wide on top, finished with cement. The wall is a great improvement to the prison property and the Marine Parade generally. The only sources from which the Department receives revenue are from the quarry, garden, boot-repairing, and maintenance of prisoners remanded for medical treatment, and rent of one of the prison cottages. The revenue received for the financial year Ist April, 1924, till 31st March, 1925, was as follows : Prom private firms and Borough Council for quarry material, £215 3s. ; maintenance of prisoners undergoing medical treatment, £6 18s. 6d. ; rent of prison cottage, £65: total, £287 Is. 6d. Supplied from quarry for constructing wall, Marine Parade—value of materials, £80 ; value of vegetables supplied from garden to prison local rate, £9 15s. 2d. : total, £89 15s. 2d. The vegetables supplied from prison garden represent about three-fourths of the total supply required. Owing to the dry weather experienced here, and the variety of pests we have to contend with, it is a difficult matter to keep up a good supply. The conduct of the officers has been good, and they have carried out their duties in an efficient manner. No offences have been recorded against them. In conclusion, I desire to place on record the very deep and sincere regret of myself and fellowofficers at the unexpected and sudden death of our highly respected late Controller-General, Mr. C. E. Matthews, whose work for prison reform will ever live in our memories. New Plymouth Prison. Fifty-six male prisoners were in custody at the beginning of the year ; 100 males and 3 females were received ; 67 males were discharged or handed to the police, 26 transferred to other prisons, 7 admitted to bail or probation, 1 died, and 10 released on recommendation of the Prisons Board ; of the females, 2 were discharged and 1 admitted to probation ; leaving 45 male prisoners in custody on the 31st December. A number of old men and a few of the derelict class of prisoners were transferred to Wanganui Prison, in order that they may be kept under conditions more suitable to their old age and infirmities. The supplies of rations under tender contracts have been satisfactory. There were no escapes or attempted escapes during the year. The general conduct of the prisoners has been very good, and there has been but little need for the assistance of the Visiting Justices in the maintenance of discipline. One man who was undergoing life imprisonment died as the result of an epileptic seizure. He had been subject to these fits for years, and has been known to have as many as eight in one day. The District Coroner held, an inquest into the death, and returned a verdict as above, adding that everything possible had been done for the man. The general health of the men has been good, and with the exception of the above fatal case there was no serious illness. Amongst so many sexual cases as are assembled here it is inevitable to have a few men who suffer from physical and mental disabilities caused by their own perverted habits ; these men by their oft-repeated reporting sick cause the return of sick to appear comparatively high. Three prisoners were sent to the public hospital for operative treatment. One of these was suffering from a long-standing hernia. He has been cured, and on his discharge was physically fit to earn an honest livelihood. The spiritual welfare of the prisoners has been zealously cared for by the ministers of the various denominations.