H.— 20

14

The health of the prisoners generally has been good. As in previous years, many men received were suffering from the effects of drink and had to be medically treated (an unusual number of men received this year from the S.M. Court, charged with drunkenness, were, found to be suffering from the effects of drinking methylated spirit). Seven men were sent to the public hospital for treatment ; one, a Maori, died there. Several of the hospital cases were from Wi Tako Prison. The conduct and industry of prisoners has been good. No oflences of an aggravated nature occurred, and the minor offences were dealt with by the Visiting Justices. The total number of offences was sixty-two, and the individual charges forty-nine. The food supplied has been of good quality, and sufficient in quantity. Where men are employed on extra-heavy work an extra allowance has been authorized by the Controller-General of Prisons. At the Terrace the demolition of the old prison is being continued. The site of the female division has been excavated to the permanent level; a considerable quantity of clay has been removed in the garden and deposited in the gully on the north end ; a small amount of filling only is now required to complete this section of the grounds. At Mount Cook a party has been employed filling in and levelling the gully to provide tenniscourts, &c. The last of the prison cottages has now been removed, and the sites are available for the erection of any buildings required by the Technical College Board. At Seatoun a party is still employed in the gravel-quarry, and a steady output is being maintained. Gravel from this quarry is supplied for the manufacture of concrete blocks required for the building of the new prison at Mount Crawford. In connection with this work it would greatly reduce the cost of haulage if a road could be formed from the end of Miramar Valley direct to the prison-site. At Wellington Prison No. 2 (near Mount Crawford) a party is now permanently located, and good progress has been made in excavating the foundations for the prison, and building operations are being proceeded with. The plant for the manufacture of concrete blocks and tiles has been installed in a large shed, and the output of blocks is being steadily maintained. In connection with block and tile making, I wish to commend the interest and industry displayed by the prisoners connected with this branch of prison industry. I regret to record the death of Mr. E. Arnold, senior Visiting Justice to this prison. Up to a short period before his death he was a frequent visitor, and as secretary of the Prisoners' Aid Society interviewed prisoners when due for release, and those requiring assistance and advice always received it. Divine service by ministers of the several denominations was held on Sundays during the year, and, by special permission, a Christmas dinner was provided by the members of the Presbyterian Social Service Association. Entertainments were also provided by the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Salvation Army Band. These entertainments are greatly appreciated, and provide a welcome break in the monotony of prison routine. On behalf of the staff of this prison I wish to express our deep regret at the death of the late Controller-General (Mr. C. E. Matthews), who was ever sympathetic for those within his jurisdiction whether officers, inmates, or their dependents. Wi Tako Prison, Tbentham. There were in custody at the commencement of the year 49 males; 104 were received during the year, 83 were discharged, 15 were transferred. The general conduct of«the men has been very satisfactory. The average on sick-muster was four. One man was transferred to the Public Hospital at Wellington on account of an accident on the works. Several very important improvements have been made to the brickworks. A railway-siding has been laid, with the result that we can now bring all trucks up to the kiln, which means a great saving in labour and carting, and also the bricks are not damaged so much in handling. Several alterations were made to the kiln, and a much better class of burning is now being carried out. Improvements were made in the mixing of the clay, and adjustments made to the machinery. A superior class of brick is now being put on the market. An oil-engine was set up during the year, and a large quantity of firewood cut into short lengths and trucked to Wellington and disposed of there. In addition to brickmaking, farming operations have been carried on during the year. The vegetable-garden has been kept in hand, and a large supply of vegetables, mostly of a root-crop nature, should be available for the winter market, and this in spite of the fact that the recent heavy floods have done a great deal of damage to the potato crop. The mangolds and swedes are showing up well. A number of fat bullocks were sold and realized a satisfactory price. Several hundred sheep were purchased early in the year. The yield of lambs was over 80 per cent. In addition to the wool a number of lambs and fat ewes have been sold. The prices realized were very satisfactory. Our thanks are due to Mr. Chappie, of the Y.M.C.A., the Rev. Mr. Holmes, of the Persbyterian Church, and Major Greenfield, of the Salvation Army, who were instrumental in getting or directly responsible for several entertainments held during the year, and which have been thoroughly appreciated by the men. We desire also to thank Mr. I. Salek, Visiting Justice, who takes an especial interest in this institution, not only giving his assistance in maintaining discipline but also materially assisting the men on their release. The Rev. Mr. Holmes and others arranged special Christmas cheer for the men at the Y.M.C.A. Hall. The entertainment on this occasion was postponed out of respect to the memory of the late Mr. C. E. Matthews, Controller-General of Prisons. His death came as a great shock to all concerned, and is deeply regretted by both staff and inmates.