H.—208.

The amount collected by way of restitution is nearly four times as much as last year. This increase has been made possible, no doubt, by the fact that there is more money circulating in the community as well as an increased amount having been ordered to be repaid by the Courts. It is noticed that most men recognize the justice of such orders, while they may be somewhat hesitant in carrying out the same. In spite of the better facilities for finding men employment, this branch of the work still presents a problem that is not always quickly solved for all. The State Placement Service has been most sympathetic. and helpful. Indeed, without this service one would scarcely know where to turn. In general it may be said that the behaviour of the men has been up to the previous satisfactory standard. There would seem to be a tendency for a larger proportion of young men to be released on probation. This may be the result of the better economic conditions prevailing amongst the poorer class causing older men to have less incentive to commit crimes involving dishonesty, rather than to an increase to any extent in the incidence of crime amongst younger people. Grateful appreciation is again acknowledged to the voluntary social workers and to the agent of the local Patients' and Prisoners' Aid Society, whose co-operation and assistance is very much valued. I desire also to record my indebtedness to the officers of the Police Department, who have always given most, helpful and courteous assistance. Statistics for the year are as follows':— Offenders Probation Act.—On register at the beginning of the year 38, admitted during the year 46, received on transfer 10, total 94, which is to be reduced by 21 who completed their term, 11 transferred, 2 gone overseas, 2 defaulters, and 3 imprisoned, leaving 55 on the register at the end of the year. Grimes Amendment Act.—On register at the beginning of the year 16, released from institutions 21, received on transfer 2, total 39, less 13 who completed period, 9 transferred, 2 recommitted to institutions, leaving 15 on the register. Restitution payments totalled £282 and costs of prosecution £3 18s. 6c1.: total, £285 18s. 6d. Mr. R. Watt, District Probation Officer, Wellington. I have the honour to submit the following annual report on the probation work at this centre for the year ended 31st December, 1938. Statistics show that the year commenced with 131 offender probationers reporting; during the year 100 were released on probation by local Courts, while 56 were received on transfer, making a total dealt with of 287. Completing their respective periods of probation satisfactorily 72 were discharged, while 2 others were discharged by the Prisons Board, 63 were transferred to other districts, while 6 left the Dominion with prior consent. It was found necessary to deal with 7 on the original charges, while 4 others were sentenced to terms of imprisonment for subsequent offences, 1 absconded and at the end of the year remained untraced, leaving 132 reporting at the end of the period under review. Including those dealt with in the ordinary way for breach of conditions of release, the proportion of defaulters approaches 5 per cent., which may be regarded as. quite satisfactory. The total sum of £525 10s. 6d. received by way of payments towards costs and restitution may be regarded as a practical indication of response and of a desire on the part of many probationers to meet their obligations. Their capacity to make reparation in this manner has no doubt increased within recent times, although the other types who seem to require constant pressure are ever with us. Apart i from those who defaulted, many of whom were representative' of a type in whom weakness seems almost inherent, response and general behaviour have maintained a fairly high standard and many seem to have completed their terms of probation with feelings of moral security, having benefited during the period of contact, which, as its name implies, proved to them a testing period. The numbers now living normal, useful lives testifies to the constructive purposes of the system. The increased opportunities for suitable employment have proved of inestimable value in the matter of rehabilitation and in some measure at least may be regarded as one means by which many are attempting and many have attained more or less complete re-establishment. Borstal Institutions and Crimes Amendment Act.—The year commenced with 44 reporting under this heading, 79 were received on release from various institutions, and along with 19 received on transfer made a total dealt with of 142. Of this number 48 have been discharged, 36 were transferred to other districts, while 2 were discharged by the Prisons Board, 4 left the Dominion with permission, in 6 instances licenses were cancelled and probationers returned to institutional control, while 5 others were sentenced for subsequent offences. At the end of the period under review 41 probationers were reporting. : • - - ..... v.j Generally speaking, conduct of probationers "under this heading' has proved satisfactory'' and response in the nature of commendable efforts towards self-re-establishment has proved encouraging in many instances. The defaulters, including two habitual criminals

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