GISBORNE POLICE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19124, 19 September 1936, Page 6

GISBORNE POLICE

INSPECTOR'S REPORT COAST SUPERVISION LITTLE SERIOUS CRIME In his annual report to the Commissioner of Police, Mr. D. J. Oummings, the Inspector at Gisbonic, Mr. 11. Martin stated :—■ "There lias been a decrease of one sergeant in the strength since last year, the. sergeant at Tokomarn. Bay being transferred and not replaced', as it was considered that lie was no longer required there. Owing to the improved condition of roads the East Uoast can be conveniently supervised from Gisborne and in recent years there has been very little crime'at Tokomarn Bay. One. constable is now controlling that sub-clis-tvict.

''To properly maintain the beats at Gisborne two. extra- constables are required at the Gisborne station. Owing to the isolation of this district the escort duty is a big item, and the escorting constable is'usually away for several days on each escort, thereby causing a. shortage for beat duty. Previously the constable at Tokomarn Bay carried out relieving duties on the East Coast when, members were on annual leave, but as there is now only one member of the force stationed at Tokomarn Bay the relieving duty lias to be carried out by a const-able from Gisborne, "I consider that in the near future an extra constable will be required in the Bay of Plenty owing to the noticeable increase in the population at Opotiki and Whakatane. Large paper mills are in course of construction at Whakatane and this will considerably increase the police work. -

"When work is resumed at this end of the Napier-Gisborne railway a constable will require to be stationed od the works, as p-reviously. ''During the year the police station at Port Awanui was closed and a. new station opened at Tikitiki, in the same locality. This change was necessary as Port Awanui is now well off the main highway and there are few residents there, while Tikitiki is the main centre in that sub-district and on. the main highway.

"The offences return for the year ended December 31. 1935, showed a total of 1105 offences reported as compared with 983 in the previous year, an increase of 123. Arrests or summonses resulted, in 1046 cases, leaving 60 undetected. Of the cases dealt with, 48 persons were committed for trial or sentence, of which 47 were convicted. "The most noticeable increase was in breaches of the .Motor Vehicles Act. Tho district lias been free from crime of a very serious nature during- the year.

"Tho conduct of the members of the force in. the country districts during, the past 12 months has been. v.Cry good, each having given of his best. This also applies to most of the members at the Gisborne station, but one constable, was reduced' five years in seniority and pay for serious breaches of the regulations, one other fined for minor breaches, and at present serious charges of breaches of the regulations are pending against two constables."