H—2o

The farm tractor and horse teams gave good service with the cultivation of the land. The dairy herd, which provides milk for the institution, consists of 27 cows, and they produce enough to allow a portion to be separated, the cream going to the factory and the skim-milk to the pigs. At the piggery we have 17 sows, but the number of young pigs we can fatten is limited by the feed available. Mr. Wilson has been in charge of the farm for twenty-five years and it is with regret that I have to record his retirement. During his period of service he has worked hard and brought the farm up to its present standard, and it is a credit to him. The timber plantations are coming along well and growth, though slow, is steady once the young trees are established. The dry conditions caused some of the trees planted out last year to die off, and a fire destroyed 3 acres of young trees. These will have to be replaced. In conclusion, I wish to record my appreciation of the good work that is being done by the Christchurch Discharged Prisoners' Rehabilitation Society in assisting ex-prisoners to find employment and readjust themselves to society generally. This group of publicspirited citizens provides valuable assistance at the most difficult stage in the lives of prisoners and must help many of them to keep out of further trouble. Rangipo Prison (Superintendent : Mr. R. J. Craig) At the commencement of the year there were 34 males in custody. During the year 26 were received, 27 were discharged, and 7 were transferred, leaving a balance at the end of the year of 26 in custody. The medical officer, Dr. L. E. Jordan, attended the prison regularly throughout the year. The general health of the prisoners has been good and no cases of a serious nature have occurred. Dental attention has been given the inmates by Mr. R. Beresford of Taumarunui. Religious services have been held in the prison throughout the year, and for these we are indebted to the Reverends K. A. Mountjoy and H. W. Johnston of the Presbyterian Church, and the Catholic Priest, Father De Bray. Thanks are again due to the Christchurch branch of the Howard League for Penal Reform for the cake they sent to the inmates at Christmas time. Thanks are also due to Miss E. C. L'Estrange and her committee for the excellent letters received for prisoners from London, also the Church of Christ, Wellington, for the literature that was received regularly throughout the year. Early in February a fire broke out in the laundry block, comprising the washhouse, kit-room, prisoners' washroom, officers' bathroom. The whole lot went up in flames and was a total loss. A new modern ablution block is nearing completion, with hot and cold water laid on, and has been in use for some time. The wool-clip was again a great success, 39 bales being shorn for which good prices were received. Wether and ewe lambs were disposed of to the freezing-works whilst the best of the ewe lambs were retained for the breeding flock. Beef and mutton for rations were killed on the farm, and a good supply of all vegetables, root and green, were supplied from the prison garden. The usual farm-work was carried on throughout the year, all permanent-pasture paddocks were top-dressed and harrowed, draining of swamps and second growth was cleared. A vigorous campaign was carried out against the rabbit menace by poisoning and trapping. An abundance of hay and 133 acres of hard and soft turnips were harvested and fed out to the stock during the winter months, all the stock have wintered well and are now in good heart.

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