POLICE REPORT

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 August 1934, Page 5

POLICE REPORT

DECREASE IN CRIME. [FEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, August 29. Twenty-two murders were committed in New Zealand for the year ended March 31 last, as compared with fifteen foi' the preceding year. Of the twenty-two cases last year, five persons were convicted, two were acquitted, five were acquitted on the grounds of insanity, six committed suicide after the crime, one was an inmate of a mental hospital and was not in a condition to plead, while there were three undetected cases—the Auckland taxi-driver, who was found murdered in his cab; the shooting of the licensee of the Riccarton Hotel, and a newly-born child whose body was found in-circumstances indicating foul play. Despite the increase in the number of murders, the report shows a decrease in crime generally, the total offences reported being 33,202, a decrease of 2066 on the preceding year. The proportion of offences to the population was 2.15 per cent., as against 2.3 for the preceding year. The principal increase during the year was due to minor breaches of the Motor Vehicles Act, which resulted in 669 more offences being reported, breaches of the Arms Act coming next with an increase of 111. There were 62 additional cases of using bad language, while indecent assaults on males increased in number by 58. There were 624 fewer maintenance cases, 478 less petty theft cases, 370 less cases of drunkenness, 205 less cases of burglary, 191 less of vagrancy, 185 less of false pretences, and 187 less of unlawful conversion of horses and motor vehicles. The more settled conditions during the past year are responsible for 139 less cases of inciting violence, disorder or lawlessness.

“The continued decrease in the crime of burglary (260 in two years) and a decrease in petty thefts (378 in 1933) is gratifying,” states the Commissioner (Mr W. G. Wohlmann). “It will be observed that the decrease in offences of unlawful conversibn of motor-cars was 187 in 1933 and 65 in 1932. This is noteworthy in view of the agitation for increased penalties. The decrease in drunkenness commented on in last report still continues. The increase in convictions for breaches of the Gaming Act. last year Tvas. 63 and the previous year 88, indicating continued police activity. The law respecting bookmaking requires strengthening.”