PARLIAMENTARY RETURNS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9610, 7 September 1894, Page 2 (Supplement)

PARLIAMENTARY RETURNS.

THE POLICE COMMISSIONER'S ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report of the Commissioner on the police force of this colony states that on the Ist of April last the strength of the police was 485, being an increase of five during the year. The totals are made up as follows Inspectors, first-class, 4 ; second-class, 3; sergeants-major, 3; sergeants, first-class, 20 ; second class, 18; third clas*', 14; constables, first class, 121 ; second class, 121; third class, 168 ; detectives, first class, 3 ; second class, 5; third class, 2 ■ fourth class, 3; total of all ranks, 485, with 106 troop horses. In addition to the abovequoted strength of the police proper there are 13 district and 9 native constables. The Commissioner urges that to have a thoroughly efficient police force periodical changes from one district or station to another for all ranks is imperative, and the changes made of the Inspectors in the year 1892 have been most beneficial to the force, and its efficiency , has been thereby considerably improved, more especially in the stricter carrying out of the suppression of larrikinism, the abolition of houses of ill-fame, and the suppression of gambling. MARINE DEPARTMENT REPORT.

The report of the Marine Department! states thab recent inspection showed that the lighthouses visited were in good order. The total cost of completing the Stephen's Island lighthouse was £9319 93 lid. Both the Dog Island and the Puysegur Point lighthouses were struck by lightning in June, 1893, bub without damage. The only occasion* on which any light was temporarily extinguished during the year was atTairoa Head, where owing to the down draught during a heavy gale the light was out for a few minutes. £15,431 16s Id was received as light dues during the year, as against £15,797 10s 9d in the preceding year. A conviction was obtained against the steam trawler ; Result for having fish under the * regulation size, bub this was upset by the Supreme Court, on the ground that the department could nob prove that the fish were caught within seven miles of the coast, and therefore within New Zealand waters. An alteration in the law is necessary to make it an offence to possess undersized fish, however caught. The services of Captain Fairchild ,in riiious connections are testified to. A reserve of £2000 has been fixed on; the Stella. Thirty-five wrecks, representing 9599 tons, occurred on . the coast during the year, as against 41, representing 14,805 tons, in the previous year. There were 11 total wrecks within the colony, and 25 lives lost. The sum of £127 was paid for the relief of distressed New Zealand seamen during tha year, »..■ '4■; ■ ' '-v--•' ' :