H.—2ob.

the offender. The value of assured employment to those who have to rehabilitate themselves cannot be too strongly stressed. This is borne out by the numbers who, having been given an opportunity, successfully complete the period of probation and continue to do well. In this connection I have to place on record my appreciation of the very valued and wise assistance rendered by the Placement Officers at this centre, who have shown, by their sympathetic co-operation, their appreciation of the necessity of placing these men in work. I must again place on record my thanks for the ready and kind assistance given by the Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society. Indeed, were it not for the assistance received from that quarter the Probation Officer would be at his wits end to, as it were, carry over that very difficult period between release from Court or prison and the obtaining of work. Mention must also be made of the assistance rendered by the Salvation Army officers, many social workers, and the police, whose help and understanding are valuable factors in the carrying-out of this constructive work. Concluding this report, I have again to express my appreciation of the kindly and courteous treatment of the Judges and Magistrates at this centre. Mr. W. H. Darby, District Probation Officer, Christchurch. In presenting my annual report on the work accomplished in the Christchurch district during the year 1938, I think it can be said quite definitely that good progress has been made. More men coming under my supervision have been in full-time work than ever before, and the conduct and work of probationers have generally been of a high standard. There have been lapses, but no more than usual, and these mostly in cases where, men have been ordered to come up for sentence and make restitution. With rega'rd to our Court work, it is regrettable to have to report that there has been a fairly large amount of serious crime among young men during the year, and in nearly all the cases the Courts have found it necessary, in the interest of the community and the offenders themselves, to commit them to reformative institutions. In some cases lack of employment has been stated to be the cause of their downfall, but I do know that in most of the cases they were in regular employment. Furthermore, I do know that an over-indulgence in intoxicating liquor was definitely a contributing factor in several serious crimes committed by young men, and it might not be out of place to mention here the easy manner in which these young men, obviously under age, have obtained liquor, both in ordinary selling-hours and after hours. This report would not be complete if I did not mention the splendid assistance we have received from the officers of the Government Labour Bureau in placing a very large number of our men in work. Many voluntary helpers render great assistance, and two we come in contact with most of all are the Rev. Mr. Revell, City Missioner, and Adjutant Thorne, of the Salvation Army Men's Home. These two gentlemen have again helped us to the limit of their powers. The statistics for the year ended December, 1938, are as follows:— Probationers reporting at Ist January* 1938, 130; released by Courts, 94; transferred from other districts, 27; discharged or completed terms of supervision, 63; transferred to other districts, 51; sentenced on original charge and for other fresh offences, 9; and defaulted, 7: Probationers on register at 31st December, 1938, 121. Under the Crimes Amendment Act we commenced the year with 39 reporting; received during the year 36, miking a total of 75 dealt with. Licenses cancelled, 2; sent to gaol for fresh offences, 3; defaulted, 3; discharged by Prisons Board, 1; discharged during the year, 42: Crimes Amendment Act probationers reporting at 31st December, 1938, 24. Restitution collected during the year amounted to £620 25., costs of prosecution £5 os. Gd., making a total of £625 2s. 6d. Mr. E. F. Mosley, District Probation Officer, Dunedin. I have the honour to submit the annual report on the probation work at this centre for the year ended 31st December, 1938. In common with many districts, there has been a decline in the number of criminal cases coming before the Court, but this has not been reflected in the probation activities of this district. The figures for this year show that there has been a considerable increase in the number released and remaining on probation. This would seem to indicate a tendency of the Courts to apply in an increasing ratio the provisions of the Offenders Probation Act. Whilst the number of men released from institutions is slightly more than was the case last year, there arc fewer remaining on the register, this being due to a larger proportion having completed their term. That the increased faith reposed in probation as an effective reformative system is. justified is again amply demonstrated by the small percentage of apparent failures, defaulters in all categories amounting to only 5 per cent, of the total.

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