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Care has been taken to try and find work and keep probationers in work, although some of them are definitely misfits and are likely to remain as unemployed for a long time. The gratitude of parents and the thanks of probationers themselves has made the job wonderfully worth while. I would like to express my appreciation of the assistance rendered by the Child Welfare Officers, Court staff, police, and would also recognize the valuable assistance rendered by the Placement Officer. Mr. H. Robinson, Probation Officer, Wanganui. Annual report of the working of the probation system for year ended 31st December, 1937. Offenders Probation Act. —At the commencement of the year the number oil the register was 37, new admissions 16, transferred from other districts 5, making a total of 58. Completed probation 22, transferred to other districts 9, sent to prison for breaches of probation 5, leaving 22 on the register on 31st December, 1937. Moneys recovered. —Restitution-money £37 7s. 3d.; costs, £13 Bs. 6d.: total, £50 15s. 9d. The general conduct of the probationers has been satisfactory, with, the exception of the 5, who did not appreciate the leniency extended to them. Crimes Amendment Act. —There were 9 on the register at the commencement of the year, received during year 21 : total 30. Discharged 9, transferred 4, recommitted 3, leaving 14 on the register at the end of year. I am very pleased to state that all probationers are in employment and are making ail efiort to rehabilitate themselves in the community.

STATISTICS. OFFENDERS PROBATION ACT, 1920. Ages and Terms of Probation of the Offenders admitted to Probation during the Year, 1937.

Summary of Cases dealt with during the Year 1937. Admitted Deferred T, i to Probation. Sentence. °a ' Number reporting on Ist January, 1937 .. .. 1,024 157 1,181 Admitted to probation during the year . . .. 636 261 897 Totals .. ..1,660 418 2,078 Completed probation during the year .. .. . . 566 186 752 Deceased . . • • ■ • • • • • • • 5 1 ® Discharged by Prisons Board .. .. .. 11 1 12 Left the Dominion .. •• .. .. .. 7 1 8 Absconded and not traced (term expired) . . .. 5 2 7 Resentenced on the original charge .. .. • . 15 9 24 Committed further offences . . .. . . 21 5 26 Totals 630 205 835 Number reporting on 31st December, 1937 .. .. 1,030 213 1,243

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9

. „ One Eighteen Two Three Four Five , T . ■ Age, m Years. Months Year. Months. Years. Years. Years. Years, j or under. _ _ . - - -«i « , . ■ Under 20 years of age .. ! 6 56 5 78 7 1 .. .. 152 20 and under 25 .. 13 93 5 69 16 1 2 199 25 30 7 46 6 41 4 1 105 30 " 40 . • 7 41 4 52 4 .. .. 108 40 " 50 .... 25 5 17 2 1 .. 50 50 60 .. 1 3 1 6 60 and over .. 1 4 .. 5 1 .. .. 11 Totals .. 35 268 26 268 31 3 2 636