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" During the year 1 have, through the courtesy of the Workers' Educational Association, been able to show films of an educational nature to the class. This has been greatly appreciated by the class." The physical-drill class has been continued twice weekly under direction of a member of the disciplinary staff, and this has been of considerable benefit to younger prisoners employed in workshops and at domestic duties. The screening of motion pictures provided by the Department has been continued monthly throughout the year, and this also with the cell wireless installation has provided ample entertainment. Christmas cheer was again provided by various organizations and social workers and was much appreciated by the inmates. The spiritual welfare of the prisoners has been fully provided for by regular Sunday services and individual visits by visiting clergy to members of their respective denominations. The staff generally have set a satisfactory standard of discipline and leadership and have carried out their duties under trying conditions owing to staff shortage. The officers responsible for the industrial activities have all done very good work. Paparua Prison (Superintendent: Mr. C. E. Spittal) On the Ist January, 1943, there were in custody 105 male prisoners ; during the year the receptions into prison totalled 422, while 429 were discharged or otherwise disposed of, thus leaving a total of 98 prisoners in custody as at 31st December, 1943. The health of the prisoners generally was good throughout the year, and regular weekly visits were made by the Prison Medical Officer. It was found necessary to transfer 3 prisoners to the local public hospital for remedial treatment, while in 7 cases prisoners suffering from venereal disease were given appropriate treatment in the prison. No deaths occurred within the prison during the year. The services of mental specialists from the Christchurch Mental Hospital were also availed of to carry out examinations of prisoners showing signs of and suspected of mental disorders, as well as in an endeavour to ascertain the reason for any particular criminal lapse. lam grateful for the help and advice received from that source. Unfortunately, it has been found necessary during the past year to take advantage of this service to a greater extent than for some years past. Four prisoners were transferred to the care of the Mental Hospitals Department during the year. The quality of the rations issued during the year has been excellent, and we have continued to draw all our supplies of potatoes, vegetables, milk, and beef from the institution farm, while bread of firstgrade quality is manufactured in the prison bakery. The conduct of prisoners throughout the year was generally satisfactory. There was, oi course, the usual crop of infringements of the disciplinary regulations, although fortunately none could be classed as of a really serious nature. A total of 25 offences were committed by 22 individuals, of which 11 were dealt with by Visiting Justices, and the remainder by myself. The services so freely given by the Visiting Justices has been most helpful, and the interest taken in the general activities ot the institution very encouraging. , , . , , ~ The interest taken by various organizations and individuals m providing entertainments tor the men has been most encouraging. The picture displays arranged by the Department were shown at regular intervals, while the Workers' Educational Association again gave a series of twelve lectures during the winter months, all of which were well attended and appreciated. The prisoners were well catered for over the festive season, and in this connection special thanks are due to the Salvation. Army, the Richmond Mission, Mr. A. Paynter, and the Rev. Mr. Fisher, Anglican chaplain to the prison. Work in connection with the institution school was continued under the control of Mr. P. Schroeder, and his report for the past year is as follows :■ — " The work of the year 1943 included English (oral reading and comprehension, spelling, letterwriting, grammar, and composition) and arithmetic mainly, while talks on the war were correlated with Arithmetic.-—While this included standard work from Standard 111 to Standard VI, plenty of practise in addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication of money, weights, distances, &c., was given, as it was felt this work would be most useful. Fractions and decimals with problems were included. English.—Varied exercises were given to aid in speech and letter-writing, and that study of English grammar that would prove beneficial to all. Talks and discussions on suitable subjects were " History and Geography. —Countries were studied in correlation with changes brought about by the war : people of a country ; position, climate as affecting people and their productions : rise of new industries in various lands. " Again I have to report that the discipline of the class was quite satisfactory and that the students showed good progress and sustained interest in their work. Every effort is made to instil into prisoners habits of industry which will be useful to them on their return to civilian status and in their quest for a suitable avenue of employment, and the arrangement made whereby prisoners are directed on their release to report to the Man-power Officer of the district to which they are proceeding should prove most helpful. Care is taken to allot tasks, as far as possible, on a selective basis, and to avoid the allocation of work for which the individual concerned is not for various reasons suitable. . . , , , After making provision for the various domestic services of the prison, the remainder ot the labour force apart from ineffective prisoners, is directed towards the prosecution of industrial activities, which, in the main, are quarrying and farming. There is also always an avenue of employment for skilled tradesmen. ... , . • j i *.■ The quarry industry is making good headway having consideration to the times, and production and sales figures were a decided improvement on those for the previous year. A total of 16,783 yards of all grades of screened and crushed metal were produced, as against 15,247 yards m 1942 bales showed a corresponding increase, the figures being 15,834 and 14,091 yards respectively for 1943 and 194:2 Work in connection with the laundering of blankets for the Army, Air, and Police Departments was carried out on an extensive scale. A total of 49,261 articles were handled, and the plant was kept working to full capacity throughout the year.

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