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Hautu Prison (Officer in Charge : Mr. T. Banks) At the beginning of the year there were 44 prisoners in custody. During the year 56 were received, 45 discharged, and 18 transferred to other institutions, leaving 37 men in custody at the end of the period. The health of the men throughout the year has been good. One prisoner suffering from appendicitis was. admitted to the Taumarunui Public Hospital. Four men escaped, but were all recaptured. The conduct of the men was generally satisfactory. The medical officer, Dr. W. J. Feltham, retired from the position during the year, and Dr. L. E. Jordan was appointed in his stead. I should like to record my thanks to Dr. Feltham for his courtesy and valuable services to the staff and prisoners during his many years of office. The dentist, Mr. R. B. Davies, Raetihi, attended to men requiring treatment. The Christchurch Branch of the Howard League supplied Christmas cake, and we are also grateful to the congregation of the Taupo Presbyterian Church for Christmas gifts to the prisoners. The Church of Christ (Scientist), Wellington, supplied readingmatter regularly to the prisoners. Divine services were held throughout the period by Mr. Mount joy, Presbyterian Lay Reader, Taupo ; Rev. Father Yan Beck, Waihi; and Mr. H. L. Forlong, of Piriaka. The prison garden yielded a plentiful and varied supply of vegetables throughout the year. Vegetables surplus to ration requirements were sold to local storekeepers. The food supplied to the men was of good quality. All meat was killed on the prison farm, and the bread baked in the prison bakery. During the year 229 weaner pigs were transferred to other institutions for marketing. Dairying was carried on successfully. The cream was sold to the Kaitieke Co-operative Dairy Co., and the skim-milk fed to pigs. Sheep-raising has been successful. Southdown rams were purchased, and a fine type of lamb has resulted. The wool-clip totalled 57 bales, the average fleece weighing 8-58 lb. Although the hay crop, owing to the extremely dry summer, was not as good as usual, there was a splendid crop of swedes, and the cattle and sheep were carried through the winter in splendid condition. In conclusion, I wish to thank the officers for their co-operation and loyalty. Napier Prison (Gaoler: Mr. A. A. Douglas) At the beginning of the year there were 20 males in custody. During the year admissions totalled 187 males and 3 females, leaving in custody at the end of the year 17 males. The health on the whole has been good. Four prisoners were admitted to the Napier District Hospital during the year, 1 suffering from erysipelas, 1 prisoner on two occasions (first from a septic hand and secondly from appendicitis) and 1 female suffering from venereal disease. Divine services were conducted by the following denominations during the year: Gospel Hall, Church of England, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Roman Catholic, and the Salvation Army and their band. All services were appreciated and well attended. Wireless entertainment daily to prisoners, all sessions of news, selected variety programmes on week-nights, and Church broadcasts on Sundays. There were two screenings by the Department during the year and four by Mr. O. Brock and Mr. Bestall. The programmes were of a very high standard. Lectures were also given by the Rev. Dyason, Rev. A. Miller, and Mr. Bestall. I have conveyed to the gentlemen concerned the Department's thanks. There were no escapes during the year.

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