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Borstal Institutions and Crimes Amendment Act. —The statistics under this heading, dealing with those released on probationary license from various institutions, reveal that, while the total number dealt with remains approximately the same, there is an increase in the number released who came into this district. The defaulters, including 2 of the habitual-criminal class, were more or less representative of a type unwilling or unable to adjust themselves to normal standards of life and conduct and proved impervious to advice. While on the whole conduct has been satisfactory during the year, it may be said that the general tone of response 011 the part of the younger probationers has been noticeably good, and in quite a few cases consistently encouraging from time to time. The increased opportunities provided for all types by regular and suitable employment, resulting in increased social interest, has proved an invaluable aid in the endeavour to promote the desired measure of change of thought and ultimate reform. In the matter of securing employment, the helpful co-operation of the State Placement Service has proyed of immeasureable assistance and, apart from the practical results, the sympathetic interest of the officials has been a pleasing feature and appreciated alike both by probationers and myself. Thanks are due to members of the Voluntary Probation Committee, the Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society, and the Honorary Justices' Association for valued interest and practical co-operation in the work we seek to do. The sympathetic understanding of Judges and Magistrates has been greatly appreciated, as also the assistance and courtesy of police and Court officials. The number of probationers dealt with during the year was as follows—Offenders Probation Act : Admitted during year 66, received on transfer 33, already on register 103, this total being reduced during the year by 50 completing term, 1 discharged by Prisons Board, 7 committed further offences, and 28 transfers, leaving 116 on register at the 31st December, 1936. Moneys recovered—Restitution, £409 6s. lOd. ; costs of prosecution, £70 Bs. 6d. : total, £479 15s. 4d. Crimes Amendment Act. —Thirty-seven names appeared on the register at the beginning of the period, being increased by 94 new releases and 21 transfers, and reduced by 63 discharged as completed, 1 discharged by Prisons Board, 7 cancelled licenses, 1 left Dominion, and 39 transfers, leaving 41 011 the register at the end of the year. Adjutant Hope Hart, Probation Officer for Women, Auckland. The number of probationers on the register at the commencement of the year was 33, increased by 33 admissions, 5 transfers, and 6 on license ; of these, 30 completed their term, 9 were transferred, and 1 left the Dominion, leaving 37 on the register at the end of the year. A few probationers failed to respond to the system, 3 being convicted for breaches of probation, but the majority are determined to make good and appreciate the opportunity afforded them to do so. I wish to record may appreciation of the kindness and sympathetic understanding shown by the Judges and Magistrates, Court officials, and Police Department. Miss A. J. Simpson, Probation Officer for Women, Wellington. I beg to submit my ninth annual report as Women's Probation Officer for the City of Wellington and district for the year ended 31st December, 1936. Women offenders admitted to probation at local Courts during the year numbered 20. Five were received on transfer from other districts and 2 were handed over to me by the Borstal Association, making a total of 25 new offenders. At the commencement of the year [ had 30 women reporting to me, and these, together with the new probationers, made a total of 60 who came officially under my control during the year. Twenty-seven completed their terms more or less satisfactorily, 3 were transferred to other districts, and 1, who was charged with breach of her license, was sentenced to one month's imprisonment. Another was charged with, theft and was committed to Borstal. The majority of the untrained girls are employed as waitresses, but there are 3 probationers who are doing clerical work, 2 of them having been in the same position for a number of years, and their employers are aware that they are on probation. Then again, there is the girl who has never been controlled and who will not stay any length of time in a position. She does not need to worry, as the Women's Unemployment Bureau is always there for her to fall back upon. As wages have improved and there is more money in circulation I am endeavouring to instil into the girls' minds a spirit of thrift. This year I have collected with very little effort £67 10s. of restitution owing, and £4 3s. 6d., being costs of prosecution. I am indebted to the Justices of the Peace Association for a grant of money to be spent on necessitous cases, also my thanks are due to the police and Magistrates' Court staff for their courtesy and help. Mr. H. N. Richardson, Probation Officer, Gisborne. I beg to submit my annual report as Probation Officer for year 1936. On the register at the beginning of the year : Offenders Probation Act, 33 ; and under Crimes Amendment Act, 3. Received during the year, under the Offenders Probation Act 10, and under the Crimes Amendment Act 9 ; leaving 011 the register, under the Offenders Probation Act 16, under the Crimes Amendment Act 4, at the end of 1936.

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