CARNIVAL AND CRIME.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15747, 14 November 1916, Page 9

CARNIVAL AND CRIME.

AX INTERESTING COMPARISON

Carnival Week is notp~ not alone for the pleasures it offers, but by the police especialh", for the increase of crime which takes place during its round. Every year at this time there has been a large jump in the Court figures. They have often doubled or trebled, but tljis year the crime sheets at the Criminal Courts have shown no increase whatever. They uro simply normal, as if no Carnival were on. In 1914 there were 48 cases of drunkenness; in 1915, 43 cases, and for the «reek just Dassed only 18. It is a marked diminution, and yet it is more than emphasised by the falling-off in the petty crimes—viz., other offcnccs against the Police Offences Act. Two years ago the number of theso was 24, in 1915. the same, and last week five only. Of the five it may be stated that some were not due to .Carnival Week at all, the week itself being practically crimeless.

Many causes have been advanced for this record being established. Some state that many of the hot young bloods of the Dominion arc away fighting, and thus the charge sheet is not carrying thein. names for an assault or tlie effect of n drunken brawl. But if this were so, surely it would have affected the records for 1915," especially ir. drunkenness. But it did not, and though perhaps many who were somewhat late in going to the front may have been a iittle wild in 1915, yet it is hardly likely their departure would have made the difference that is so marked in 1916. Another and more likely cause is advanced when it is stated that llie strict military regulations of the Commonwealth .are keeping young men within the country, and many a "crook and sneak thief who otherwise would have left the purlieus of Melbourne or Svdney. in order •to "rook" the simple New Zealander, has had perforce to stay at home. Another curious fact was gleaned by a reporter in conversation with the clerk in the <3ivil Records Office. He stated that generally there had been a large number of "foreign" summonses issued for service in Giristchurch on people supposed to be attracted to the City of tho Plains by the Carnival. It was a chance of getting at them that their creditors hardly ever missed. Last vesr there were close on twenty of these cases, and yet tho Civil Courts last week in Christcliurch were asked to serve only three "foreign" summonses