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6. There were 2,459 prisoners reported for breaches of prison discipline, being an average per prisoner of 5.66 as compared with 4,038, with an average per prisoner of 7.90 for the preceding year. The throwing of tobacco over the prison walls caused an increased number in the reports for having

tobacco.

In 1897 with a daily average population in the Gaol of 462 the average number of reports per prisoner was the same. The lower average with lower population shows how much better discipline is maintained when the Gaol is not overcrowded.

7. The following improvements referred to in paragraph 9 of the report for 1898 have been carried out during the year almost entirely by prison labour:-

large lean-to

(a.) The east ramp has been entirely removed, and on the site it occupied a

shed for laundry purposes has been constructed, providing accommodation for 16 washers and rendering better supervision possible.

(b.) Two boilers for heating water and boiling clothes have been built.

(c.) A latrine for the use of the laundrymen has been erected.

(d.) The old washing shed has been pulled down and a large drying-room built on the site. Fourteen horses have been added, by the Public Works Department, to the old drying apparatus, making a total of 26 drying horses,

(e.) The old drying room has been converted into a shed for mat-making in which 4 looms

have been fitted up.

{ƒ.) An extra work-room has been added to the printing workshop which was greatly needed in order to meet the increased requirements of the printing and bookbinding depart-

ment.

(9.) "B" Wing has been pulled down by prison labour, and a new wing to accommodate 78

prisoners in separate confinement is being constructed on the site by free labour.

(h.) A new hot water service for bathing purposes has been laid on by the Public Works

Department.

8. The building of quarters for the Prison Staff outside the prison has been commenced. On the the completion of the quarters for the Indian Staff, the hospital, which is now occupied by them, will be available for prisoners.

9. There have been no escapes or attempts to escape during the year.

10. Industries are steadily increasing. Special attention has been given to instruct well-con- ducted prisoners, who have completed their period of No. 1 Hard Labour, in the various industries carried on in the Gaol, such as Bricklaying, Carpentering, Tinsmithing, Boot and Shoemaking, Mat- making, Netmaking, Tailoring, Printing, Bookbinding, etc.

Every prisoner undergoing imprisonment for any period over 42 days, has now an opportunity of learning a useful trade.

11. The profits on Industrial Labour amounted to $16,822.02 as compared with $6,204.19 for the preceding year and $2,620.08 for the year 1897.

The large increase is principally due to the printing and bookbinding done for Government. This work has been satisfactorily carried out in spite of the enormous excess in the actual requirements of almost all the Departments over their original requisitions. Much of the increase is due to the acquisition of the New Territory.

Altogether 2 088,199 forms were issued and 5,009 books were bound during the year. For these forms Governinent would have had to pay the Government Printers $10,551.20, and as the value of the paper purchased for the Gaol does not amount to the value of the paper formerly supplied to the Government Printers, the above amount represents a direct saving to Government, without taking into consideration the value of the bookbinding, regarding the prices formerly paid for which by Government I have no information. After deducting the cost of machinery (which was necessarily heavy in the first year) and the paper, the net earnings of this industry were $6,589.04.

12. The new regulations for the Prison and new scales of diet came into force on the 7th March, 1899, and have worked most satisfactorily.

I attribute the large decrease in floggings in great measure to the encouragement to good con- duct given to prisoners by the extension of the progressive stage system under the new rules, and to the decrease under it in the time spent by a well-conducted prisoner at No. 1 Hard Labour from 3 months to 42 days. At the same time credit is due to the Assistant Superintendent and the Prison Staff for the manner in which discipline has been enforced during the year. Mr. R. H. Craig was appointed Assistant Superintendent of the Gaol in May 1899, Principal Warder PIERPOINT Succeeding him as Chief Warder, and both these officers have given me entire satisfaction in the discharge of their new duties.