CRIME DECREASES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 255, 25 September 1935, Page 8

CRIME DECREASES.

THE POLICE REPORT

A decrease in the number of serious crimes in New Zealand is shown by the Commissioner of Police; Mr YV. G. YVolilmann, in his annual report for tiie year ended Alarch 31. which was tabled in the House of Representatives yesterday. The following is a detailed return of tiie number of serious crimes as compared with the previous year:

Totals 1792 1283 1699 1232 Sixteen deaths occurred as a result of murder, being six fewer than in tiie previous year. In respect of the 16 offences reported there were nine Menders, four of whom (responsible between them for 11 dentils) committed suicide following tlieir crimes; and four were committed for trial. Of those committed for trial, two were acquitted and discharged; one was acquitted on the ground of insanity and detained: in one case the grand jury returned a “no bill.” In the remaining case the alleged offender has been arrested and is awaiting trial. I lie criminal statistics winch deal with offences reported to the police during the year ended December 31 show an aggregate net decrease of 1016 on the figures of 1933. The proportion of offences to tire jioinilation was 2.07 per cent.., as against 2.15 the previous year. An increase of 20 additional regular constables to the service is urgently necessary to meet the need for additional police protection at various 'points, states the Commissioner. The establishment of a small police reserve commenced last year in each of the principal cities is now taking effective shape, states the report, and should j>rove not only a valuable training ground for recruits for tiie regular force, hut a useful adjunct to the service. , The report observes that file return to normal social conditions noted last year is happily being maintained. There has been a decrease of 205 in tiie number of prosecutions for drunkenness during the year as compared with tiie previous year. Tho number charged with drunkenness in 1934 was 3294° (3152 males and 142 females), whereas in 1933 the number was 3499 (3344 males and 100 females). The report states that 39.07 per cent of tiie males and 66.43 per cent of the females liad previous convictions recorded against- them, and 2.03 jier cent of the males were not permanent residents of the Dominion.

The number of prosecutions against hotelkeepers during the year shows an increase of 108 as compared with tiie preceding year. There were 654 prosecutions, resulting in 411 convictions during 1934, as against 546 prosecutions and 328 convictions in 1933.

There were 07 prosecutions during the year for selling liquor without a license, resulting in 04 convictions, and there were also 03 prosecutions, resulting in 42 convictions, for other offences against the provisions of the Licensing Act in force in no-license districts.

The fines imposed on the sly-grog sellers during the vear 1934 amounted to £IO3O 12s 6d.

~ 0> r/> < § 2 o.2 3 te— to o -- fc! - fcilS « o 2 o • O £ U 1933. 193-1. Arson 14 9 12 7 Robbery and aggravated robbery 11 8 13 11 Burglary, breaking into shops, dwellings, etc. 1348 875 1274 831 Forgery and uttering 176 160 218 213 Murder 22 12 16 4 Murder, attempted 3 3 1 1 Rape 5 5 6 6 Receiving stolen property 209 209 155 155 Wounding with intent 4 2 4 4