H.—2o.

The local branch of the Rotary Club has undertaken the providing of weekly entertainments for the prisoners here. Under the leadership of Mr. P. Stainton (Official Visitor) these evenings have been regularly provided, and are much appreciated by all concerned. Mr. Stainton has been very assiduous in his endeavour to provide suitable lectures, &c| and the Rotary weekly evenings have been keenly looked forward to by the majority of the men here. Mrs. Eason has continued her weekly visits to men who have no relatives in this district, and her motherly advice has been of much benefit to the prisoners. Mr. Johnston has continued his regular free tuition of those whose education is below the Sixth Standard requirements. One man sat for and passed his Proficiency Examination. The spiritual welfare of the men has been carefully looked after by the different denominations, and church services have been held each Sunday. Papabua Prison. (Superintendent, Mr. W. T. Leggett.) It was found on several occasions that the accommodation of the prison was fully taxed, this no doubt being due to abnormal unemployment conditions. The health of the prisoners generally has continued to be very good, with no serious sickness. There were four individuals transferred to a mental hospital during the year. The farm has had a fairly successful year. The cereal crops and potatoes have given satisfactory yields. The kitchen-garden, in addition to providing a plentiful supply of vegetables for the institution, has continued to fully supply the requirements of the Health Department institutions at both Hanmer and Christchurch. The poultry section also has given continuous supplies of fresh eggs and table poultry to those institutions. Continuous work for surplus labour has been provided for in producing sand and gravel for disposal to main-highway construction, local-body roads-maintenance, Government Departmental requirements, and supplies to small cartage contractors. The social welfare of the prisoners has been again attended to by weekly W.E.A. classes during the winter months, and these have been ably arranged by the secretary, Mr. G. Manning, to whom thanks are due for his organization. Members of the Rotary Club have again provided the means of conveyance for the lecturers, and their interest has been most helpful and much appreciated. Monthly entertainments have again been provided by Mrs. Holmes and concert party, also by members of the Rotary Club, and the socializing influences are also very helpful and are much appreciated by the inmates. The spiritual welfare of the prisoners has been continuously looked after by the ministers of the various denominations, who have held weekly services ; also Mr. and Mrs. Smith, of the Richmond Mission, have continued their, periodical evening services and are still extending their practical sympathy, and in quite a number of cases have provided suitable after-care, with beneficial results in a number of cases. Waikune Prison (Road-oonstruoting Camp), Erua. (Officer in Charge, Mr. H. W. Glynn.) The health of the prisoners generally has been good. The conduct of the prisoners on the whole has been satisfactory. The spiritual welfare of the men was well cared for by the ministers of the various denominations, and a visit was also paid by members of the Raetihi Branch of the Salvation Army. Industrial activities have been principally in connection with roadworks, and progress has been well maintained. During the year under review a further three miles of the Waimarino-Ohakune Road was formed and metalled, and this road is now nearing completion. The Horopito-Tohunga deviation is now a 24 ft. highway with a good formation and surface of metal chips, and is now a good safe road for motor traffic. General widening of the road at the Spiral, on the Te Kuiti- Bulls (via Taumarunui) section of the main highway has been carried out and same remetalled, also all dangerous corners removed. The general maintenance of the whole section of this road between Raurimu and Horopito was also carried out. The National Park-Tokaanu Road has been maintained by prison labour as in previous years. The road was widened and top-dressed on many sections, and it is now in good order. The maintenance of the Bruce Road was also undertaken, and it has been regularly graded and surfaced during the year, and is in splendid order for tourist traffic to the Chateau Tongariro. A large quantity of crushed metal has also been supplied to the Kaitieke County Council during the year. Our motor transport has again been busily engaged throughout the year. A large amount of carting for Government Departments was undertaken, including transporting telegraph-poles for the Post and Telegraph Department for forty-two miles between National Park and Tokaanu. A regular transport service of goods, manures, &c., to the Rangipo and Hautu Prison Camps was also maintained.

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