H.—208

Mr. E. Ching, Probation Officer, Wanganui. I respectfully beg to state that there have been placed on the register from all sources during the year 24 males and 4 females, as companred with the year 1925 when there were 29 males and 4 females. At the end of the year there were 26 males and 4 females on the register. Generally speaking the probationers have done very well, and it can also be said that the granting of probation to them has been justifiable. Of course it must be expected that some would not merit the leniency granted to them, but they are very few. Owing to such an amount of unemployment it has been hard to collect moneys, in many instances, as regularly as the Court orders, but I have found that with a little patience and encouragement they in almost every case pay up in the end. Generally speaking the employers of labour have been very good to me and have given work in almost all cases if they have had it to give, and have not in any way looked upon the probationer disparagingly. Of course, I have not been as successful as I would like to have been, but I cannot complain in that respect. I am pleased to say that several ladies have done, and are doing, very good work with the female probationers, and I find it is a very fine thing for the female probationers to have some one to care for and encourage them, and it gives them heart to try to do better. It is very pleasing to know that ladies of this district are doing much more of this work than hitherto, and it is very encouraging to everybody concerned. *' It is pleasing to have gentlemen such as Mr. Barton, S.M., taking an active interest in probation otherwise than in his official capacity, also gentlemen connected with societies such as the Y.M.C.A and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. I must say that in my opinion probation should be extended, especially now that the public are looking on it in a proper light and are willing to lend a helping hand. Mr. S. H. Spiers, Probation Officer, Napier. Offenders Probation Act. —There were 10 cases reporting under this Act at the commencement of the year, and 17 on the register at the end of the year. The majority of the above probationers have paid instalments of costs of prosecution and restitution when due, and generally carried out the conditions of their license in a satisfactory manner. Grimes Amendment Act. —There were 7 cases under this Act. With the exception of 2 probationers, these have carried out the conditions of their release on license in a satisfactory manner. Mr. H. N. Richardson, Probation Officer, Gisborne. I beg to forward annual report on probationers dealt with here during the year 1926. Offenders Probation Act. —On the register, Ist January, 1926, 14; placed on probation during the year, 25 ; transferred from other districts, 5 : total. 44. Transferred to other districts, 10; completed probation and discharged, 8 : leaving 26 on the register at the end of the year. Crimes Amendment Act. —On register Ist January, 1926, 1; released on probation during the year, 2 ; received from other districts, 1 : total, 4. Completed and discharged, 3 ; leaving 1 reporting at the end of the year. Those discharged during 1926 have given no further trouble, and are endeavouring to make good

STATISTICS. OFFENDERS PROBATION ACT, 1920. Ages and Terms of Probation of the Offenders admitted to Probation during the Year 1926.

8

Six . . , r ,«■ ,, One Eighteen Two Three Four Five m a i Age, in Years. Months year _ Monthg . Years, j Years. Years. Years. TotaL or under. | ! 10 and under 15 .. | 5 .. 2 t . . . 7 15 20 13 90 2 72 I 59 4 3 243 20 „ 25 .. 5 52 3 61 32 .. 2 155 25 „ 30 .. 4 22 1 39 18 1 3 88 30 „ 40 ..3 47 5 38 16 .. 1 110 40 „ 50 .... 10 .. 19 8 .. .. 37 50 „ 60 1 5 .. 4 2 .. .. 12 60 „ 70 .... 3 .. .. 1 .. .. 4 Totals .. 26 234 11 235 j 136 5 9 656