POLICE FORCE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18151, 14 August 1924, Page 9

POLICE FORCE.

ANNUAL DEPARTMENTAL REPORT. (special to "teb pf.ess.') WELLINGTON". August i - _ The report of the Cnmmwsi-aer or Police (Mr A. 11. Wright! for the year e::dcd March 31st, 1324. was presenter ■o Parliament to-day. The number oi r -i J.-i T-,nlice xOTCO permanent memoers of t"<- p°- ILI i.f all ranks was 1009, compared wun 030 last rear. Three new stations were .-staWishpd. and two stations were •dosed. Criminal statistics showed an

aggregated increase of on the figure? of the previous year, lnip-o portion of offences to the popuhm - wa« 1.5)3 ner cent., ns ngamst_ l>b "» the previous year. The principal increases during the year were: Drunkenness Failing to maintain wives .inu children •■ ■• "105 Selling liquor after hours •■ Gaming offences The chief decreases were:— y^ Theft from dwellings .. "119 House and shop breaking •• - Breaches of the peace .. " jofi Yagraacy There was a decrease of 3G cases in the illegal use of horses, motor-cars, etc The percentage of arrests or summonses resulting from offences was 1)3.25, compared with 92.48 in the previous vear. There were 579 arrests for serious crimes compared with Vai, tne chief crimes being' -1 PS Burglary .. ■■ "000 Forgery and uttering .. • • -' Receiving stolon property •■ J-- 1 There were 500 indecent and sexual offences, compared with 4(18 in tho previous year. There was an increase of G2 prosecutions against hotel-keepers. The filler-prints of 3071 persons were dealt with, 259 persons being thus identified as previous offenders cither iu tlus Dominion, Australia, or England. The most notable case in tho fingerprint branch was that of a series of breaking and entering cases in Auckland in which tho offender was identified from the finger-prints sent to the branch. When arrested he pleadei. guilty to each charge. He was a stranger to Auckland, and previously unknown to the police there. The proportion of police to the population in New Zealand last year was 1 to lolt, compared with 1 to 944 in 1878.

Christchurch District. Superintendent Maekinnon, reporting on the Christchurch district, says; There are 126 police in the district. A considerable amount of work is thrown upon the police force by other Government Departments, namely, Education, Knilwcys, Defense, Pensions, State Advances, and Internal Affairs, and I find to cope with tho extra work entailed that I must ask for a considerable augmentation of the present staff, Tho Christchurch station should be increased by at least one scrgeaut and ten constables in order to carry out tho work efficiently. Another constable ia also required at LytteL'on station. Theso increases were recommended by my predecessor last year. Tho Leeston station is still being workod from Southbridge. This does not make for efficiency, and I'recommend that the building of a new station at Leeston be put in hand at the earliest possible moment. Leeston is an important centre, and a constable should bo stationed thorc, The offences reported during tho year ended December 21st, 1923, numbered 3235, compared with 3445 in 1922, a deereaso of 210. The conduct of tho non-commission-ad officers and constables (including tho detective branch of the force) has been good, and all ranks havo Bhown a commendable zeal in the efficient performance of their duties. The diEtrict has enjoyed a fair measure of prosperity, and the population is steadily increasing. An amendment to tho Licensing Act, 1908, in the diroction of prohibiting any dolivery of liquor from the bar to any person after closing hours would, in my opinion, be of great assistance to the police in suppressing after hours' trading.