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Probationers under the Crimes Amendment Act, 1910, and Prevention of Crime (Borstal Institution Establishment) Act, 1924. —On Ist January, 1946, there was 1 probationer on the register. To this number 5 were added on release from the local Borstal institution. There were 5 inward and 5 outward transfers, whilst 2 probationers committed further offences. One completed his probationary period during the year. Three remain on the register as at 31st December, 1946. All are in suitable employment and are reporting regularly. General. —On the whole, probationers have responded well to the leniency extended to them by the Courts. Employment has been plentiful, and this has no doubt had a beneficial effect. During the year the Probation Officer has been called upon to write thirty-three reports for the Supreme and Magistrate's Courts, many of the reports calling for extensive investigation and careful evaluation of the information obtained. Both His Honour the Judge and the resident Magistrate have expressed their appreciation of the reports provided in cases which have been dealt with by them. Costs of prosecution moneys collected during the financial year ended 31st March, 1947, amounted to £8 10s. lOd. and restitution money to £lO2 4s. 3d., making a total of £llO 15s. Id. Mr. A. A. Douglas, Probation Officer, Napier At the beginning of the year there were 10 probationers on the register, 18 were admitted to probation by the Court, 17 were received on transfer from other districts, 27 were transferred to other districts, 3 completed their term, and 1 was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, leaving 14 on the register at the end of the year. With the exception of 1 probationer transferred to this district from Palmerston North who was not reported, all probationers are in steady employment and apparently doing well. Restitution moneys amounting to £45 15s. 6d. were disbursed during the year. Costs of prosecution, amounting to £2 lis., were paid into the Public Account. Crimes Amendment Act.—There were 5 probationers on the list at the commencement of the year, 21 were received from other districts, 5 were resentenced (3 to Borstal and 2 to hard labour), 10 were transferred to other districts, and 5 completed their term, leaving 6 on the register at the end of the year. All probationers are carrying out their terms in a satisfactory manner. Mr. D. C. Pedersen, Probation Officer, Nelson During the past year some 13 persons were admitted to probation from the Courts in Nelson and 36 came under my control for varying periods, with an average of about 14 on the books each month. Their conduct generally has been satisfactory and the system of probation in most cases has had a good effect on them, in that they have made genuine efforts to lead a decent life and in some cases become sufficiently interested in their future welfare as to open Post Office Savings-bank accounts and to save money regularly. Several persons released under the Crimes Amendment Act have not proved satisfactory and have relapsed into their life of crime, and it would appear that these are not worthy of the leniency extended to them, even after they have been found good positions and board. As most probationers are very restless and travel about the country considerably, some consideration should be given to the fact that restitution moneys due to be paid by them could, in many cases, be more easily collected in their home town before permission is granted to them to travel, as they often have no position to go to but are only trying their luck. Restitution moneys collected and paid out have amounted to £B7 Is. sd. My thanks are due to the Mayor of Nelson and to the Salvation Army, who have given me every assistance when I have approached them, even to the extent of monetary donations and guarantees of board and lodgings.

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