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losers, and the body of campers felt just pride in the pleasing effect of their efforts. At the sports meeting of the 31st December the visitors, who had an opportunity of inspecting the encampment and of seeing the whole organization in full swing of activity, were impressed with the hearty manner in which every one entered into the contests, win or lose. The day's proceedings ended round a bonfire, where ehanteys were sung and a New Year message turned thoughts on the serious issues of life. Break-up day came, and the spirit of the camp was emphasized in its closing notes. The homeward journey was completed by a two-mile cross-country run, for which the whole party was let loose, the first six to arrive at the institution receiving prizes. The Invercargill Rotary Club continues to take a keen interest in the welfare of the lads. Every Thursday night the Association class becomes for the nonce the " Kiwi Club," and meets under the chairmanship of a Rotarian, who is supported by the brethren, one of whom gives an address on some suitable topic. The visits of these outsiders is greatly appreciated by the lads, as it is evidence that they are not forgotten, and the contact made with the outside world has a socializing influence. The spiritual needs of the inmates are well looked after. In addition to the usual Sunday services conducted by the ministers of the various denominations and the City Missionary, Mr. A. McLean, Bible classes have been conducted weekly by Canon Lush and Mr. McLean, who also hold services at the Ranch every Sunday afternoon. On the last Sunday in the month a special service is conducted in the afternoon by the Salvation.Army. The Visiting Committee, under the chairmanship of Mr. G. Cruickshank, S.M., pursues its good work in the general interest of the inmates. The Ladies' Committee maintains its helpful services among the lads sent over to the Southland District Hospital, and also among the boys in the sick-ward at the institution. The ladies have also lent valuable assistance in collecting cakes, &c., for the festive season. Through the kindness of the Patients' and Prisoners' Aid Society, the Invercargill Rotary Club, the ladies of Invercargill, and friends and relatives in other parts of the Dominion, the tables were laden with good things at Christmas and New Year ; while a liberal supply of tobacco and cigarettes was received from the New Zealand Tobacco Co., Ltd., and Messrs. W. D. and H. 0. Wills, Ltd. We are indebted to the musical fraternity of Invercargill for providing suitable entertainments throughout the year, and also the bands for giving a special programme, which was much appreciated. This year the Invercargill Orphans' Club provided a unique treat by arranging one of its meetings in the institution. No pains were spared by the Orphans to add due setting and atmosphere to their admirable programme. They even went to the trouble of bringing furniture from their clubroom to enable the best stage arrangements to be made. It goes without saying that the entertainment was a great success, leaving a strong hope that a similar meeting may become henceforth a regular annual feature. As in former years, dairying continues to be our principal industry, and was carried on throughout the year. During the winter an average of seventy cows were milked, and 185 during the summer months. Herd-testing was commenced in January, all cows being previously branded with a number. The weight of milk was recorded at each milking, and a test taken of four consecutive milkings every month. Although a number of the cows tested fairly low, the quantity of milk given by most of them was sufficient to bring their butterfat productions to a reasonably high standard. Considering that the season was nearly half over when testing was commenced, the results obtained may be considered satisfactory, but quite a number will have to be culled at the end of this season. Portion of the milk was sold by tender to local vendors, and the remainder separated and the cream sold to the factory. The herd is doing better this year, as some of the nearer paddocks have been sown down in grass, thereby ensuring change of pasture. Regarding the pigs, it is regretted that there has been no demand for purebreds at all, and bacon pigs have been bringing very low prices, as there has been a glut on the market for a considerable time. Some very fine litters w'ere born, and at the Summer Show took first and second in good competition. During the season 480 ewes lambed, and 101 per cent, were marked. A much larger percentage was lambed, but during September, as a result of very inclement weather, a considerable number died at birth. Owing to the wet spring the wool is clean but light, and the clip is one bale less than the previous season, when thirteen bales realized £242 17s. As a result of judicious buying of store cattle during the autumn we were able to keep the institution supplied with ration beef throughout the year, the purchase of frozen beef being unnecessary. 206 head of cattle and 100 sheep were killed for rations,' and 40 fat cattle and 20 stores were trucked to Paparua Prison. A good crop of hay was saved, about 180 tons being stacked, of which 3,000 bales were pressed for our own consumption and sale to local merchants. 35 acres of oats were harvested, and yielded about 80 tons of chaff, which is all being used on the farm. Our turnip crop, of about 45 acres, turned out well, and provided a great deal of winter feed. There was quite a good potato crop, 11 acres producing about 90 tons. 150 sacks of seed potatoes were sent to northern institution farms. Over 70 acres on the freehold were top-dressed during the season, and the results obtained were, very noticeable. During the season 45 acres of fresh land were broken up and sown down in turnips ; 20 acres on Rhodes's property at Otatara were stumped and planted with potatoes, and gives promise of a good crop. A number of large paddocks have been subdivided and fenced, and shelter-belts planted. It .has been decided to extend the farm water-supply on the freehold to the outer paddocks, and the work of erecting additional concrete troughs is now in hand. The following works were carried out during the year : 25 chains of drain were cleaned out in the old rifle-butts paddock, and the spoil utilized in filling in the low places. A large area in the northern portion of the farm was levelled off with material pumped over the wall by the dredge. The