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REPORTS OF DISTRICT PROBATION OFFICERS Mr. H. Warner, Probation Officer, Auckland 1. Probationers Released Under the Offenders Probation Act, 1920. —(a) At the commencement of the year there were 283 probationers on the register. During the year 292 were released upon probation from the Courts, 112 were transferred from other districts, and 1 resumed reporting from mental hospital, which made a total of 688 persons dealt with. Of these, 142 were discharged on completion of their terms, 194 were transferred to other districts, 30 left the Dominion, 1 absconded, 1 was extradited to Australia, 2 were committed to mental hospital, and 25 came again before the Courts and did not revert to probation. The total under supervision at the close of the year was 293. (b) The amounts received during the financial year Ist April, 1949, to 31st March, 1950, were : Restitution, £2,678 6s. 5d., and on account of costs of prosecution, £359 lis. 9d., a grand total of £3,037 18s. 2d. This year again shows a considerable increase over the amount received during the previous year. The large sum received is due primarily to high wages and the ability to pay. It is gratifying to be able to say that in many cases the payments have been the foundations of habits of thrift. 2. Probationers Released from Prisons and Borstals. —On the Ist January 112 were under supervision, during the year 169 were received direct from institutions and 39 were transferred from other districts, making a total of 320. Of these, 118 completed their terms on licence, 68 were transferred to other districts, 26 were recommitted to prison on other charges, 4 left the country, and 2 died, leaving 102 on the register at the end of the year. The general behaviour of the majority of this group has been satisfactory. 3. General. —(a) The scarcity of suitable accommodation, together with its high cost when found, seriously detracts from the benefits of the little or no difficulty in securing employment. There is great need of a suitably supervised home where probationers could stay for a limited period until they " settle down." Such a home would also be a place where young probationers whose home conditions warrant their being moved could be temporarily boarded. Ship-deserters released on probation continue to present a serious problem. Great difficulty is experienced in getting employment on overseas ships for those who are ordered by the Courts to leave the Dominion. I feel that the year has proved that probation has been the determining factor in the rehabilitation of many released both from the Courts and from institutions. (b) The Honorary Probation Committee has continued to function and the efforts of the gentlemen constituting the Committee have met with encouraging success. I express my thanks for their kind help and co-operation. I also express gratitude for assistance received from the City Mission, from the Secretary of the Discharged Prisoners Aid Society, from the Catholic Youth Centre, from the Salvation Army, from the Court officers, and from members of the Police Force. Mr. D. S. Aitken, Probation Officer, Christchurch 1. Mr. W. H. Darby, who had been Probation Officer in Christchurch for the. past twenty-odd years, retired on superannuation on the 30th September. During his period of office he had become known to all sections of the community, and he took with him on retirement the good wishes and appreciation of all with whom he came in contact in the course of his duties. 2. Offenders Probation Act. —At the beginning of the year there were 78 probationers on the register, 52 were released on probation during the year and 64 were transferred from other districts, making a total of 194 who passed through my hands. Of these, 57 were transferred to other districts, 9 were sentenced to imprisonment for fresh

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