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There were five escapes or attempted escapes during the year, two prisoners effecting their escape from the gravel-workings, another absconding from the public hospital while under treatment for old ear trouble, one escaping from an escort proceeding to Auckland during the transhipping, owing to a slip on the Main Trunk line, and the other being a get-away from one of the farm parties. Two of the escapees from the institution were promptly recaptured. The conduct of the prisoners generally has been good, there being twenty-three minor breaches of the regulations requiring to be dealt with by the Visiting Justices. The food-supplies have been of excellent quality, with ample fresh vegetables supplied from the prison garden. The meat ration has been supplied from our own farm, and has been of excellent quality. The industry of the prisoners has been good, and the various works now readily absorb all available labour. The most important work performed during the year has been general farm-work, road-formation, garden, poultry-raising, erection of buildings and yards. The new industry begun during the year in the washing of gravel and sand has given satisfactory results' financially, and provided suitable employment for surplus labour and those prisoners requiring closer supervision. The farming section has been worked to advantage during the year and in most instances with satisfactory yields. As previously, the sheep section is the most important factor, and the raising of early fat lambs for market has been most satisfactory. In this connection all the principal prizes for fat lambs at the 1927 Royal Show were annexed by the Paparua Prison Farm. The Farm Manager is to be congratulated on these very fine exhibits, which demonstrated to the farmers generally the value of artificial feeding, whereby at a small outlay not exceeding Is. 3d. per head for artificial feed a highly profitable return is received. In the agricultural section of the farm good results were obtained from the peas, wheat, and other cereal crops ; also there was a fair yield of potatoes, sufficient to supply the needs of several of our northern institutions, the surplus being sent to other Government Departments. Shelter-belts and replacements to existing belts, utilizing 15,370 Pinus insignis, 1,430 Cupressus• macrocarpa, 1,780 privets, 350 poplars, and 350 assorted shrubs, have been planted. All the trees were raised in the institutional nursery. Additional facilities have been provided in the Administrative Block for the visits to prisoners by the friends with a greater degree of privacy. The exercise-yards are now nearing completion, facilitating the classification of prisoners and providing convenient space as a parade-ground. The various yards have also been linked up with a surface drainage. The spiritual welfare of the men has been again well looked after by the clergymen of the various denominations, also the evening mission service has been held periodically. The social welfare of the prisoners has again been excellently arranged for by the organizers, especially the Workers' Educational Association classes, held weekly during the winter months ; illustrated monthly lectures under the auspices of the Rotary Club ; also monthly concerts arranged by Mrs. Holmes. Mrs. Holmes also by voluntary effort ha.s replaced the old institutional piano with a new Broadwood instrument. The piano is much appreciated by the men. The educational side of the institution has been well maintained, and the school is now fully equipped with individual desks, considerably facilitating this work. A special report from Mr. W. 0. Gilmour, Schoolmaster, is appended. Frequent visits have been made by the Rev. P. Revell, Prisoners' Aid Society representative, and Major Haines, of the Salvation Army, giving help and advice as required to the prisoners on discharge, and considerable assistance has been rendered in needy cases. Our thanks are due to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Richmond Mission, the Rev. F. R. Rawle, and others who generously provided Christmas cheer for all prisoners. I am again pleased to report that the officers have performed their duties satisfactorily, and by tact and judgment have maintained an excellent standard of discipline and industry. Paparua Prison School: Report of Schoolmaster. The programme of work included English, composition, arithmetic, geography, spelling, and for those who were advanced enough, a course in book-keeping. A feature of the class is the wide range of attainments—from preparatory school to post-primary work. In some cases the men could neither read nor write, and although progress with these was slow, considerable improvement was noticeable at the end of the year. In most cases much of what was learned at school has been forgotten, and the opportunity to renew acquaintance with the subjects is readily seized. Throughout the year monthly debates on suitable topics were held. These provided a break in the ordinary work, and at the same time gave instruction and opportunity for oral expression. From the point of view of the Schoolmaster, a hindrance to progress —unavoidable, of course— is the changing personnel of the classes : some of them, owing to expiry of sentences and the exigencies of the prison management, do not remain long enough to make much advance in educational status. This constant changing makes it difficult to keep them in classes, and makes necessary much individual teaching. The discipline at all times was all that could be desired, and the keenness displayed made the work of teaching quite a pleasure. The new commodious schoolroom, provided with an up-to-date heating-system and individual desks, by attending to the comfort of the men has greatly aided the work. In conclusion I wish to thank all the officers of the prison for their valuable help readily given, and for the courtesy shown to me throughout the year.

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