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TKe Evening School: During the year the - inmates,, .were- again -divided into four groups for the evening school, according to their academic standing. • The school is conducted by four professional teachers from the Invercargill schools. As in the past, the main emphasis was placed upon teaching the lads to read intelligently, to write good English (with particular reference to letter-writing), and to become sufficiently facile in the use of figures to be able to meet the requirements of everyday life. W.E.A. Classes: The W.E.A. classes provided by the generosity of the Qtago and Southland W.E.A. were very, successful and greatly appreciated this year. The film appreciation class, conducted by Mrs. M. Dunningham, was especially popular. The public speaking class, under the direction of Mr. L. J. Small, was helpful to a small group of lads who took a keen interest in it. A number of lectures were also provided. It was a good year of work, and we give our special thanks to the Southland organizer, Mr. J. Brailsford, and to the local committee of the W.E.A. for making these classes available. Rover Scout Group : The Southland Boy Scouts Association has formed a group of Rover Scouts at the institution. So far those joining the .group have found the organization and activities extremely interesting, and it is believed that the group will exercise a healthy influence in 'the life of the institution. Borstal Choir : The Borstal choir of approximately 50 voices, under the direction of Mr. Kennedy Black, again had a very successful year. 'Great interest was shown in the choir by the inmates themselves, and the same high standard as achieved in previous years was maintained. The choir sang once over the air from Station 4YZ, and a public concert was given at the Orphan's Club. Institutional concerts were provided on the occasion of the visit of the Parole Board and at the end of the year. .J. Other Evening Activities : During the year instructional classes in life-saving and swimming have been conducted by one of the members of our own staff. Classes in signwriting and painting have also been carried on under the direction of a tradesman instructor of our staff. Training in hand-work and hobbies is an important part of our programme which we cannot afford to neglect. Social Life and Entertainment.—ln the life of an institution social activities and entertainments arte a very important and necessary part of the programme. They help to build up morale and assist inmates to maintain a cheerful and hopeful outlook. Talks and addresses were given throughout the year. There was also a concert by the Boys' Battalion Band, a display of wrestling by the Southland Wrestling Club, and a demonstration of working models by the Invercargill Model Engineering Club. Weekly programmes of 16 mm. sound pictures have been provided by the DepartmeDt, and, as well, a series of pictures on the Canadian Pacific Railways were shown. There were a number of concerts provided by interested friends of the institution and by the inmates themselves. The citizens of Invercargill again gave readily to the Borstal Christmas Cheer and Welfare Fund, contributing a total of £33. With the aid of this fund we were able to supply extras for the Christmas and New Year periods, and were also, able to ensure that inmates whose parents or friends had not sent in parcels received cake, sweets, and cigarettes on Christmas Day. Prizes were also provided for the sports meetings held during the holiday period. . V? l| Sports and Recreation. —Sport is an important and integral part of our programme. Cricket, football, and baseball teams were again entered in the competitions'arranged by the local sporting associations. The Borstal cricket team won the Junior Shield. The football and baseball teams, while not. winning the competitions, did: well;and!" by their excellent behaviour and fine team play gained an enviable reputation for-good sportsmanship. Such a reputation speaks well for the institution's 'Sportsriiastei; and the individual officers who have coached the teams, 'C a-He: -..iLii, BSs£tX 'SI 3—H2O

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