CRIME IN AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19215, 2 January 1926, Page 12

CRIME IN AUCKLAND.

BUSY YEAR FOR THE POIJCE, INCREASE IN PROSECUTIONS. ! MANY BURGLARY CHARGES. While nothing of an outstanding nature occurred in Auckland's record of crime during the past year, the period has been a strenuous orie for the police force. The growing population led to a request being made by the superintendent of police for ia large number of additional constables. It was considered that traffic control was becoming a serious problem. Separate court proceedings are instituted by the City Council Traffic Department, which has taken a great «Meal off the hands of the police. Criminal charges in,:the Police Court show a substantial increase, numbering 11,340, compared with 8663 last year. Over half were for drunkenness. There was one murder charge, the sentence of the Supreme Court being imprisonment for life. Seven charges of manslaughter were heard, most of fchem being against motorists. Charges of breaking and entering show an increase. Extensive operations were carried out in two cases, one of which involved two men and the other three. The last trio made a sensational escape from the cells at the police station, but were recaptured. Among other offences, unlawful conveiS sion of motor-cars has been more prevalent than ever. The Newmarket bank case, in. which a masked man held up the manager with a revolver,, was one of the sensations of the year, . A remarkable case was • the mistake concerning the identity of a man who was found aicswned in the harbour early in November. Although the case of C. J. De Garis was not intimately connected with New Zealand, it is of interest that his arrest was made at Auckland on his arrival from Australia. There.was an increase of 600 in the number of juvenile offenders, the total being 1700. This "increase has .been attri., buted by one intimately . connected with the juvenile court to the infantile paralysis epidemic.'. It was stated that the greatest number •of cases are dealt with up to the end, of - : the long school vacation, when many young; people roam about under practically no control. The epidemic meant an enforced holiday, which resulted in an increase in offenders. Offences by women and girls have not increased on last year, although they are more numerous than they were ten years ago. Shoplifting was a common offence.