THE CHRISTCHURCH POLICE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12852, 10 July 1907, Page 5

THE CHRISTCHURCH POLICE.

ANNUAL KEPORT OF INSPECTOR GILLIES. (arzcuL to "the press.") WELLINGTON, July 9. Police Inspector R. J. Gillies, in charge of the Christchurch district, in the course of his annual report, says: —On the 31st March last the strength of the force was 135 men of all ranks, made up as follows: —1 Inspector, 2 .Sub-Inspectors, 1 Station Sergeant, 13 iSorgeants, 10S Constables and 5 Detectives and 5 Acting-Detectives. There is a Surgeon and Matron attached to the Christchurch Station. The"casualti«>" wore:—l Retired on pension, 1 medically unfit, 5 resignations, 2 dismissals «nd 1 death. The total number of offences reported during the year was 3415, and the number tin which arrest or summons resulted was 3209, a decrease of 154 offences as compared with the previous year. The records show that 460 bicycles were reportod missing during the year, and that '146 were recovered. Fines amounting to £231 were imposed against slyi,iog sellers during the year. The usual difficulties in procuring evidence for tho Crown are always experienced. There is no open trading, as a rule; :iid the police have to be very alert to .lain any knowledge of what may be %-i'\ng on almost within their reach. <}y grog selling is rarely indulged in •xcept in districts where "No-license"' has been carried. In regard to the New Zealand Exhibition, as it was anticipated that o number of the criminal ■lass would arrive from the Australian >:atos, special precautions were taken for the safety of visitors to tho Exhibition, and I am pleased with the system u'loptod nnd t'ho manner in which instructions were adhered to. The orgmization throughout was so complete that only a few of the criminal class ■"veceode-d in leaving tho Australian ports for New Zealand, and those were so closolj' watched on arrival that they hr.d jio alternative but to return whence they came. Good order wan maintained throughout the Exhibition season, there, being comparatively little crime to contend with. The detectives fortunately succeeded in securing a conviction against c gans of burglars, which was due principally to the evidence of the finger-print experts.