Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

CRIME STATISTICS.

Annual Report of the. Com-

missioner of Police.

(From Our Parliamentary Special). (By Telegraph).

WELLINGTON, August 23, The annual report of the Commissioner of Police was presented to Parliament this afternoon. It states that on the 31st March the strength of the force was 655 of all ranks, an increase of 29. The criminal statistics show an aggregate net increase of 330, but a slight decrease on a population basis. The cases of drunkenness increased by 800, and there was ,a decrease of 52 of cases^ of deserting, families. The increase (331) *on the total number of all offences reported is the smallest on record since 1891, the average yearly increase for the five years ending 31st December, 1903, being 976. The number of indecent and sexual offences shows a decrease of 12.

In regard to the cases of drunkenness (9615, of whom 8660 were males and 955 were females), it is stated that 42.33 per cent of -the males and 71.31 per cent of the females had previous convictions recorded against them,- and 10.36 per cent of the males were not permanent residents in the colony. During the year 99 males and 35 females were arrested for drunkenness on Sundays in the four^ centres," the bgures for AYellington being 40 males and 3j^Eemales. \ xhere were 140 prosecutions againsthotelkeepers (a decrease of 91), 79 convictions, and Gl discharged or withdrawn. "There is undoubtedly at present," says the Commissioner, "a growing improvement in the management of hotels generally 1 , owing probably to recent amendments in the licensing laws, and the fear of reduction obtaining." As to the recent amendments of the licensing law, the Commissioner says it is sufficient to say there is ©v^ry indication of beneficial results,, chiefly as regards drinking during prohibited hours (especially on Sundays), and-a the better conduct of hotels. , There wero 169 prosecutions dnring the year for sly-grog selling in 113 convictions, against 216 prosecutions an,d 151 convictions during the preceding year. The decrease (47) in the number of prosecutions against sly-grog sellers does not necessarily indicate a decrease in the number of persons engaged in this deplorable and troublesome class of offences, but rather that more secrecy is adopted to prevent detection, and although ' special action, is taken from year to 'year, and frequent prosecutions are instituted and punishments inflicted, the result is somewhat, disheartening, as it docs not appear to have the desired effect m diminishing the ■number of such offenders or offences. The difficulty experienced in - former years •in .obtaining evidence in these cases continues, perjiiry being frequently indulged in to prevent a conviction. The fines imposed on sly-grog sellers during the year 1904 amounted to .£1584, against .£946 Is

in 1903, but a number of those prosecuted in 1903 were sentenced to imprisonment without the. option of a" fine. Tli» direct cost to the colony in detecting and prosecuting «ly r grog sellers during the year was £1365 198 7d, this being .£2lB 0a 5d less than the amount of_finea imposed.

This article text was automatically generated and may include errors. View the full page to see article in its original form.
Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WH19050824.2.4

Bibliographic details

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11645, 24 August 1905, Page 2

Word Count
501

CRIME STATISTICS. Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11645, 24 August 1905, Page 2

CRIME STATISTICS. Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11645, 24 August 1905, Page 2