H—2ob

All probationers on the list are in steady employment and appear to be doing well. Restitution-moneys amounting to £lB 2s. were disbursed during the year. Costs of the prosecution amounting to £6 14s. 6d. were paid into the Public Account. Persons released from Borstals and Prisons. —There were 6 probationers on the list at the commencement of the year; 5 were released by the Prisons' Board; 9 were received from other districts ; 6 were transferred to other districts; 4 completed their terms satisfactorily; 4 were resentenced, 3to terms of imprisonment and Ito Borstal. The 6 probationers on the list at the end of the year are in steady employment and carrying out their terms in a satisfactory manner. Mr. D. C. Pedersen, Probation Officer, Nelson Offenders Probation Act.—The year commenced with some 12 probationers on the register, but finished up the year ending with a sharp increase to 28 ; some 53 reported during the year, 13 were admitted to probation by the Court at Nelson, and 10 satisfactorily completed their terms. There were 7 probationers brought before the Court for breaches of their licences. The response to probation has been quite satisfactory on the whole, and a direction given by one Magistrate that money be saved under the supervision of the Probation Officer is a sound scheme and worthy of further, consideration, as in these times of high wages most young people that come before the Courts have little idea of the value of money. Lack of suitable employment in Nelson has made it difficult to place probationers who have been wrongly directed here by misinformed authorities, as work in Nelson consists of seasonal work mainly which is done as a rule by youths and women. The position of such probationers has been a problem in that they rarely have any money, and assistance has had to be got for them by charitable organizations, and in this direction I would like to thank the Mayor of Nelson and the Salvation Army, who have given me valuable assistance both in money and in making arrangements regarding board. The sum of £l2l Bs. 6d. restitution and costs was collected during the year. Crimes Amendment Act and Prevention of Crimes Act.-—Some 10 probationers reported during the year, but their conduct was only fair and they were not co-operative, and 4 returned to prison through further crimes committed during their probation period. There was an average of 3 under my control throughout the year. Mr. J. Dow, Probation Officer, New Plymouth Offenders' Probation Act, 1920. —There were 11 probationers on the register at the beginning of the year, 9 were received from the Courts, and 9 were received on transfer from other districts, making a total of 29 probationers dealt with. Of this number, 1 secured a position on an overseas vessel, 1 was discharged by the Prisons Board, 4 completed their period of probation, and 11 were transferred to other districts, leaving 12 on the register at the end of the year. One was imprisoned for committing a further offence, but the remainder have complied with the terms of their release. The sum of £34 10s. towards restitution and £lO towards costs of prosecution has been collected. Crimes Amendment Act, 1910, and Prevention of Crimes Act, 1924.—There were 3 probationers on the register at the beginning of the year, 4 were received on release from a prison, 3 on release from a Borstal institution, and 2 on transfer from another district, making a total of 12 probationers dealt with. Of this number, 3 completed their period of probation, and 3 were transferred to other districts, leaving 6 on the register at the end of the year. One probationer received a sentence for a further offence. The conduct of the others has been good.

2—H 208

9