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A good deal of time has been spent in the repairing of existing fences and the erecting of new ones. A large area of the rifle range has been cleared of rushes. The old implement-shed has been dismantled and converted into stables and is now erected near the dairy. A new tractor wag purchased for the prison during December, and although it was used for only two or three weeks in 1948, it proved to be a wonderful asset. A considerable amount of work was done for the Army Department during the year in the form of clearing gorse, &c., from around the magazine area, chipping weeds from around the military camp, and the laying-out of recreation-grounds. As usual, the meat, bread, vegetables, and milk required for the prison has been produced on the property, and I am pleased to say has all been of a very high standard. In conclusion, I would like to thank the staff for their very loyal co-operation throughout the year. Arohata Borstal Institution (Superintendent: Miss D. Fairweather) At the commencement of the year there were 18 Borstal inmates in custody in the institution. During the year 15 were admitted and 23 discharged or otherwise dealt with, leaving 10 inmates at December, 1948. Of the 23 discharged, 19 were released on licence, 1 on the completion of her sentence after the cancellation of her probationary licence, and 3 transferred to other institutions. Of those transferred, 2 had previously served sentences in the Borstal, and on account of demoralizing influence and conduct all proved unsuitable for further Borstal training. The greatest number in custody was 19 and the least 9, with a daily average of 13*3. In the reformatory section there were no inmates on Ist January, 1948, but 27 were received during the year and 25 discharged, leaving 2 in custody at the close of the year. Of those discharged, 13 were handed to the police, 4 released on the expiration or sentence, 1 transferred to the mental hospital, 1 transferred to Addington Reformatory and 6 debtors, 5 of whom were discharged on payment of debt and the other on completion of her sentence. The greatest number in custody was 4. Of the 15 Borstal admissions, there was only 1 first offender, the majority having some previous convictions, and in some cases having received probation. Seven were committed for theft, 1 for false pretences, 1 for being idle and disorderly, 3 for breach of probation, and 3 were received from the Burwood Training Centre, where they had proved unamenable to discipline and control. On admission a case-history of each girl is prepared, and it provides an enlightening insight into the circumstances and conditions which have resulted in her detention. With one exception, all those admitted had been under the care of the Child Welfare Department, a fact which reflects the unsatisfactory home conditions that must have prevailed in their earlier formative years, when the inculcation of right standards of conduct is all-important. The absence of parental affection and understanding, the lack of harmony, stability, and security in the home, where moral standards are frequently low and there is a complete lack of social responsibility or of any spiritual values —all these constitute a serious loss to an adolescent. Against such a background it is small wonder there are cases of undesirable behaviour and misconduct to be dealt with. Eight of the inmates admitted were Maoris who, freed from family and tribal control, had found difficulty in adjusting themselves to city demands after country life, in securing suitable accommodation, and in employing constructively their leisure hours. None had any connection with clubs or sports organizations that would have provided opportunity for the development of their social capacity.

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