CRIME IN NEW ZEALAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19250, 14 August 1924, Page 7

CRIME IN NEW ZEALAND.

POLICE STATISTICS. REPOST OP COMMISSIONER. (Fbom Ouh Own Coeekspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 13, 'Lae report of the Commissioner of Police (Mr A. H. Wright) for the year ended March 31, 1921, was presented to Parliament to-day. The number of permanent members of the police force of all ranks was 1009, compared with 980 last year. Three now stations were established, and two stations were closed. The criminal statistics showed an aggregate net increase of 1420 on the figures of the previous year. The proportion of offences to the population was 1.93 per cent., as against 1.E5 the previous year. The principal increases during the year were; Drunkenness, 625; failing to maintain wives and children, 485; selling liquor after hours, 125; and gaming offences, 111. Ihe chief decreases were: Theft from dwellings, 206; house and shopbreaking, 119; breaches of the peace. 116: vagrancy, 106. There was a decrease of 56 cases in the illegal use of horses, motor cars, etc. The percentage of arrests or summons resulting from offences was 93.25, compared with 92.48 the previous year. There were 879 arrests for serious crime, compared with 954 the previous year, the chief crimes being: Burglary, 498; forgery and uttering, 230; and receiving stolen property, 121. There were 500 indecent and sexual offences, compared with 468 in the previous year. There was an increase of 62 prosecutions against hotelkeepers. The finger prints of 3071 persons were dealt with, 239 persons being thus identified as previous offenders either in this dominion, Australia, or England. The most notable case in the finger-print branch was that of a (-cries of cases of breaking and entering in Auckland, in which the offender was identified from the finger prints sent to the branch. When arrested ho pleaded guilty to each charge. Ho was a stranger to Auckland, and was previously unknown to the police there. The proportion of police to population in Now Zealand last year was one to 1312, compared with one to 944 in 1878. Superintendent Norwood reports that the authorised strength of the force in the district, on March 51 was 105. No now stations were opened and no statiens were closed during the year. The casualties were two deaths—one chief detective and one constable. the latter being accidentally drowned. One detective and four constables resigned. The total number of offences was 1267, as against 1196 fer the previous period—an increase of 71. A total of 1195 cases led to prosecutions. There had been no serious crime in the district during the year that required special review. The staff had been fairly successful in dealing with all serious crime. , . , The conduct of the police during the year had been satisfactory, and all ranks anpcared to be cordially working together in the discharge of their duties