ANNUAL REPORT.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15017, 11 July 1914, Page 5

ANNUAL REPORT.

(WECUL TO "THB PWSS.") WELLINGTON, July 10. The annual report of the ToJice Deparfcmcnfc shotra the etrength, of the force to be 870 of all ranks. Of these 707 are constables. < The criminal statistics show an aggregaie net decrease of 566 on tie pre- 1 vioue year's figures, the proportion of offences to the population being 2.34 per cent. The principal increases daring * the year appear under the following , headings:— Abusive, insulting or threatening words or behaviour 78 Assaults ... ... 36 : Breaches of the peace, and disobey- i ing orders on board ships ... 63 I Failing to provide mainvcnauco for j wives, etc. ... ... 93 j Illegally on premises .„ ... 57 £ Sly grog-selling ... ... '21 i Theft (undescribod) ... ... 233 ( Tho principal decreases were: , Assault' (common) ... ... 72 Dosorting merchant vessels ... 51 Disobeying; orders of Uourt and summonses ... ... 4.1 Disorderly conduct • ... ... 57 ' Drunkenness ... ... ... 177 ' False pretences ... ... 65 ! Foraery and uttering ... ... 52 ' Ganiinp offences . ... ... 138 Malicious injury to property ... 81 I Neglected and criminal children ... 75 ', Obscene and profane language ... 71 \ Refusing to quit licensed premises ~A \ Sureties of tho peace • ... • ... 1M Theft by wrvants ... _ . 45 Thoffc of cattle and horses ... 33 ] The nnraber of persons charged ivith drunkenness was 11.707, of tvjinin 1 10,940 wore males and 767 females. Tho ' number of people convicted for drunkenness in the principal centres was:— Auckland and Suburbs ... 1 532 • Wellington and Suburbs ... 2.553 ' Cbristehnrch and Suburbs ... '714 Dunedin and Suburbs ... 726 The conviction.*? against hotelkeepers ' were m each district:—Auckland 14 Hamilton 21 Napier 0, Wanganui 15, Wellington 17. Grevmoufch 21. Chrisfcchurch and Duncdin, 8, Inrercargill 2. I The Commissioner states that the ; conditions under which the New Zealand police are now serving are better I than thoso obtaining j n any o th er police tervico in the Empire. He adds :— ; J? or many years past tho Government I Has been oxpending considerable sums . o. money m various localities in pro- ! viriing workers' homes, and I am of opinion that if a similar schomo applied to this Department could bo carried out very satisfactory results would accrue In provid.ng workers', homes the land upon which the houses are erected has to bo purchased, but this would not l>o necessary m the case" of this TJopartl^ 8 -T ?r ° amp,e Government sites lying idle m many towns. total nmomnt vrh.ch the Department hae naid m houso allovancee to members of MU SjTf? 11 " ,18 t] l e pasfc t,en years is an " U3 . l expenditure under I,ari " c increased from £3000 ln 19M to £10 280 ~