H.—2o.

Swimming gets its turn as a regular part of the physical training, while general athletics are given an occasional place in our programme, especially on public holidays, when sports gatherings in the form of a picnic are organized. Lastly, as the basis of all the physical education, Mr. .Page's instruction in physical drill maintains its invaluable function. Favoured by good weather, the fifth annual camping-out picnic, held in the pleasant riverside retreat used in previous years, was a gratifying success. The fifty lads who spent a fortnight under canvas entered with zest into various recreative activities, one and all endeavouring to carry into effect the chosen slogan for the occasion—" The best yet." It is significant of the impression left by these camps that some of the gifts which provided the resources for this year's outing came from campers of former years, who took that means of emphasizing the grateful references conveyed in their letters acknowledging the succour afforded them by the Borstal at a critical juncture in their lives. The spiritual welfare of the inmates is attended to by the clergy of the various denominations and the City Missionary, Mr. A. McLean. Divine service for the Protestants is held on Sunday morning, while for the Roman Catholics service is held every Tuesday evening. The Salvation Army holds a special service on the last Sunday afternoon in each month. Bible classes, conducted by the Rev. Lush, Ensign Montgomery, and Mr. McLean, are held on week-nights, while Mr. McLean also co'nducts service at the Farm Ranch on Sunday afternoons. The informative and entertaining evening programmes provided each week by the Invercargill Rotary Club prove most acceptable, and appreciation is deepened by the personal interest in the lads shown by the visiting Rotarians. That interest often takes a practical shape when a youth, having completed his period at the Borstal, is seeking a fresh start in the community ; the Rotary organization throughout the Dominion lends helpful services whenever called upon. The Invercargill Orphans make their periodic visits memorably pleasant not only by the excellence of the entertainment they furnish, but by their good fellowship and free social intercourse with the lads. The Invercargill Branch of the League of Nations Union extended its educational campaign to the Borstal, with fruitful results. The course of instruction, identical with that taken up by schools, was conveyed both in printed lessons and in lectures by leading members of the League. Under the chairmanship of the local Magistrate, E. C. Levvey, Esq., M.A., LL.B., the Visiting Committee has taken an unremitting active interest in the inmates' welfare. ' We have very recently been honoured by a visit from Their Excellencies the Governor-General and Lady Bledisloe while on their first official visit to Southland. Owing to the inclement weather, the plans made for an outdoor ceremony had to be abandoned at short notice, but that did not detract from the cordiality of the reception accorded to His Majesty's representative. The sympathetic understanding displayed by Their Excellencies as regards Borstal work and aims, their interest in all our activities, and His Excellency's inspiring address to the assembled lads and staff left a heartening impression. The work on the farm and reclamation has been pursued with satisfactory results. The garden and experimental area again provided more than sufficient vegetables to supply this institution for rations, the surplus being supplied to the Railways Refreshment Branch or sold in the local auction markets. Firewood has been supplied to all Government Departments in Invercargill requiring same during the year from the institution firewood-depot, and, in addition, a considerable quantity has been supplied for use at the dairy, piggery, and institution, thus reducing the quantity of lignite necessary to be purchased. A good supply of firewood has been cut for use during the ensuing year. The bootmaking industry has been carried out throughout the year with satisfactory results. Several orders were fulfilled from the Mental Hospitals Department, and footwear provided for this institution and Paparua Prison. Waikeria Borstal Institution (Te Awamutu). (Superintendent, Mr. D. Dunlop.) The conduct and industry of the inmates has been on the whole quite satisfactory, having regard to the number who are not subjected to constant supervision and the extensive liberties allowed. It is pleasing to report, also, that the health of the inmates has been, very good during the year. The underlying purpose of Borstal work is to rehabilitate the offenders, or, in the words of the statute, " to make better provision for the prevention of crime and the reformation of young offenders," and in this regard a fair measure of success can be claimed. The establishment of Borstals by statutory enactment was undoubtedly a great forward step in the classification of offenders. Experience has shown, however, that at the institution itself it is advisable to practise further segregation. This is regarded as an important factor in our work, as contamination has the effect of retarding and nullifying all the socializing influences that are brought to bear upon the dfilincprexrf during the period of his detention. It has been shown that proper association of offenders, healthy outdoor farm conditions, hard but useful and educative work, together with some form of relaxation in the shape of outdoor seasonal games, and the influence of example and disciplinary treatment, does a great deal towards giving a young offender a new outlook in life and a better idea of the standard of good citizenship. The difficulties which exist in obtaining suitable employment for inmates upon discharge is one of the serious problems at the present time, as a period of prolonged idleness after detention is very undesirable. In many cases, therefore, a wise policy has been adopted of insisting upon suitable employment being found for an inmate as a condition precedent to his release upon probationary license. So far no trouble has been experienced in obtaining compliance with this condition within a reasonable time. Throughout the year concerts and lectures, sponsored by the Hamilton Branch of the Howard League, were provided each week. Some very entertaining concerts and instructive lectures were given, and the useful work carried out by this body is greatly appreciated. Two concerts were given by the inmates in August last. About one hundred visitors were present on each occasion and

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