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Waikune Prison (Road Contracting Camp), Erua. (Officer in Charge, Mr. H. W. Glynn.) There were 84 prisoners in custody at this prison at the beginning of the year, and a further 56 prisoners were received from other institutions. The discharges, &c., were as follows : 30 men were released on expiration of sentence, 12 men were released on the recommendation of the Prisons Board, 30 men were transferred to other institutions, while 2 men escaped —leaving a total of 74 prisoners in custody at the end of the year. The general health of the prisoners has been quite satisfactory. Two cases called for urgent medical attention during the year, and in each case it was found necessary to transfer the prisoner to Taumarunui Public Hospital for treatment. After a short stay in hospital both prisoners were returned to prison fully recovered. The conduct of the men has been quite satisfactory. The few cases dealt with were for minor breaches of discipline. The spiritual welfare of the men was well cared for by the ministers of the various denominations. The industrial side of this institution has progressed in a satisfactory manner. During the year a further 3 miles 60 chains of the Waimarino-Ohakune Road was formed and metalled in the region of Makatote Viaduct and the Maunganui-au-te-au Stream. Several culverts of substantial dimensions were constructed in the area, and the bridge over the Manganui Stream was considerably strengthened. A new bridge was also built at peg 10 m. 36 ch. At that point it was necessary to divert the stream. Although our operations on this road were carried out in what might be termed difficult country, I think the ultimate results will be quite satisfactory. Our activities on this road have now reached such a stage that transferring the Makatote Camp to nearer Horopito is undoubtedly essential for economic reasons. The District Engineer, Public Works Department, has selected a suitable campsite, and arrangements are in hand to have the buildings at Makatote removed to the new camp-site. As in past years, general maintenance work has been carried out on the Waimarino-Tokaanu Road. A certain portion of this road has caused a good deal of trouble, more especially during the winter months. During the year just ended the portion of road in question was gravelled, and it is anticipated that the trouble will now be eliminated. The formation and metalling of Bruce Road was completed during the year. The members of the Park Board speak in high terms of the work performed by the Prisons Department on the Bruce Road. The motor-transport line continues to extend, and during the year heavy consignments of manure, seeds, &c., were transported from National Park Station to the prison farms in the Tokaanu district. A fair amount of cartage was also performed for other Government Departments. Wanganui Prison. (Gaoler, Mr. E. Ching.) During the year there were received from all sources 178 males and 10 females, a total of 188 prisoners, being an increase of 16 males and 2 females over last year's figures. During the year employment has been found for those able to do a little in the grounds, laundry cleaning, &e. A kitchen-garden has been started, and considering the nature of the ground it has done very well, and a very good supply of vegetables has been obtained. Work has also been done in the ornamental portion of the grounds, which have been very favourably commented on. The rations supplied by the various contractors have been of the best, and no complaints have been made by the prisoners either as to quality or quantity. All rations are examined by the Medical Officer on his visits to the prison ; likewise the Medical Officer inspects every portion of the building, sanitary arrangements, &c., at the same time. The health of the prisoners has been very good. The conduct of the men on the whole has been very good, there being but three men punished for minor offences. The buildings are all in first-class condition, and no repairs will be wanted for some years to come. I desire to thank the many religious bodies for holding service at the prison, Protestant service being held every Sunday morning and the Roman Catholic in the afternoon. Our thanks are also due to the Rev. J. Patterson and his band of helpers for a first-class tea given to the men on Christmas evening. It is needless to say the tea was very much appreciated by the old men. The Cosmopolitan Club sent a parcel of tobacco for the men at Christmas, and later a fine collection of books from their library. The Church of England friends also sent a gift of tobacco for the men. Rangipo Prison (Land-development Camp), Tokaanu. (Officer in Charge, Mr. A. Banks.) There were in custody at the commencement of the year 18 male prisoners ; during the year 23 were received, 18 were discharged or transferred, leaving in custody at the end of the year 23 male prisoners. The main employment of the prisoners is clearing and the breaking-in of virgin country. During the year 350 acres were cleared of tutu, manuka, and fern, and burnt off in preparation for the ploughing; 300 acres were ploughed, disked, and harrowed, and sown down in temporary pasture ; 70 chains of subdividing fences of three posts to the chain and eight wires, and 140 chains of fencing of two posts to the chain and four wires were erected for the protection of shelter-belts ; five thousand young pines received from Waikeria Borstal were planted out for future shelter-belts. We have sixty thousand young trees lined out in our own nursery for planting out in the coming winter. A road has been formed to the bush, from which it is our intention to split posts for our own requirements. The following buildings were erected during the year : Stable, implement-shed, and laundry.

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