THE POLICE FORCE OF THE COLONY (ANNUAL REPORT ON).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1894 Session I, H-14

H.—l4

1894. NEW ZEALAND.

THE POLICE FORCE OF THE COLONY (ANNUAL REPORT ON).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The Commissioner of Police to the Hon. the Defence Minister.

Sir, — Police Department, Commissioner's Office, 1st July, 1894. I have the honour to submit for your information the annual report on the Police Force of the colony, together with the criminal statistics for the year ended 31st March, 1894 :— 1. On the 1st April last the strength of the Police was 485, being an increase of 5 during' the: year. The totals are made up as follows : Inspectors—first class, 4 ; second class, 3; sergeantsmajor, 3; sergeants —first class, 20; second class, 18; third class, 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 above-quoted strength of the Police proper, there are 13 district and 9 Native constables. 2. New stations have been opened at Panmure, Eltham, Thorndon Quay and Mount Cook, Wellington, and Levin; while Waitotara and Ravensbourne stations have been reopened, and that at Ngakawau closed. 3. Increases of strength have been made at the following stations : Auckland, 1; Waipawa, 1; Hawera, 1 ; Palmerston North, 1; Wellington, 2 ; Ashburton, 1; Invercargill, 1. Decreases have been made at the following stations —viz.: Napier, 1; Spit, 1; Reefton, 1; Christchurch, 1; Lyttelton, 1; Dunedin, 2 ; and Riverton, 1. 4. The casualties in the force during the past year have been as follows : Retired on compensation, 10; resigned, 5; dismissed, 4; died, 3. Total, 22. 5. I stated in my last report that, to have a thoroughly efficient Police Force, periodicalchanges 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 liquor laws, the suppression of larrikinism, the abolition of houses of ill-fame, and the suppression of gambling. In making changes it has been my object to alleviate, as far as possible, such injustices as have existed for some years in the Force —viz., married constables being stationed in towns, and thus having house-rent to pay, while single constables had charge of stations and got house-rent, light, and fuel free; and junior constables having charge of stations, while their less fortunate senior comrades were doing street duty ; and now, when a station becomes vacant, the senior constable not having charge of one is, when duly qualified, as a rule, promoted to the vacancy. 6. Vacancies in the Force have been, as heretofore, filled by transfers of gunners from the Permanent Militia, and this system continues to work satisfactorily. During the past year forty-sevem constables went through a fortnight's course of gunnery in the different centres, and these, with thirty-three who had recently joined, and are proficient with the latest system of gun-drill, gives a total of eighty trained gunners amongst the constables, who, in case of need, would be found a very useful augmentation to the permanent force. It is intended to continue giving this annual course of gun-drill to all constables who have joined, or shall hereafter be appointed, from the Permanent Militia. 7. In February last' the Dunedin Social Reform Association reported to you that they had made the startling and unexpected discovery that the Police in Otago were in a state of disorganisation and dissatisfaction. They gave a list of reasons for arriving at this conclusion, and forwarded their views as to how a Police Force ought to be administered; and, strange as it may appear, and 1 somewhat paradoxical, their recommendation No. 2 was : "That there should be no interference with the Police, either for good or evil, on the part of members of Parliament or private citizens."

1—H. 14.

EL—l4

2

The alarming statement made by this association was, of course, very fully inquired into, with the result that it was found that the portion of the Force serving in the Otago district had, through ignorance and unreliable information, been grossly maligned and most unfairly represented. At my last visit to Dunedin, I not only invited, but literally tried to extract complaints from men of the Force who, I thought, might possibly have some trivial or imaginary grievances; but I did not succeed in getting one solitary complaint, and I have no hesitation in stating that the portion of the Force stationed in Otago is at the present moment as thoroughly efficient, well disciplined, faithful, vigorous, and tactful in the discharge of its duties, as any force need be. It must be recollected that the New Zealand Police Force.labours sorely under two great disadvantages —the want of a " Superannuation Scheme," and, as a consequence thereof, anil a result therefrom, tardiness of promotion. 8. Every man who enters the Police Force of the colony should have an incentive to rise and be made to feel that assiduity and efficiency will meet with due recognition and advancement; but owing to the higher ranks being in excess of the required numbers, there has been little promotion for some years past, and, in order to relieve the stagnation, I was instructed to promote to secondclass rank all third-class constables who had served seven years in the Force with clean defaultersheets ; and shortly afterwards I was directed to promote to second-class rank all third-class constables who had seven years' service in the Force with only one trivial entry in their defaultersheets, and these promotions no doubt caused some dissatisfaction. In a Police Force, the fact of a constable having a clean defaulter-sheet should not be the only qualification for promotion, as there are so many different contingencies which should be taken into consideration. For example, two constables join at the same time; one is posted to a city, the other goes to the country. The city man is open to all sorts of temptations, which are wanting in the country station, while he is constantly under the eyes of his superiors, and consequently more liable to have an entry recorded against him in his sheet which would at once debar him from promotion; while his more fortunate comrade in the suburban or country station, though perhaps by no means so efficient a constable, would be far less likely to sufficiently commit himself to cause an entry to be made against him, and would thereby claim advancement before the one who had been less advantageously situated. Again, the public generally, especially in small communities, are apt to think that their local constable is par excellence as near perfection as possible, and ought at once to be promoted, quite forgetting that the Police is a colonial and not a local force. The Commissioner's object should be to make the members of the Force smart, capable officers, well-versed in all that pertains to the prevention and detection of crime, instead of as nearly automatic as it is possible to make them; but, unless these matters are left to the independent discretion of him who is appointed to administer the Act, injustices will be done, which can only tend to create dissatisfaction and discouragement generally, and destroy that esprit de corps which is so necessary to the well-being and efficiency of a Police Force. 9. The efforts of the Police to suppress Sunday trading, liquor-selling after hours, and sly grogselling, have been extremely successful during the past year, and many convictions haVe been obtained, notwithstanding the defects and complications in the liquor laws, and considerable credit is due to all ranks of the Force for their exertions in this direction. 10. The supervision of licensed houses, in accordance with the present-day ideas, is a matter of considerable difficulty, when it is recollected that only a few years ago the public feeling on the liquor question was decidedly dormant, and, as long as breaches of the Act were not very glaring, they were passed over; and if the Police had at that time clone otherwise, they would probably have been accused of oppression by those very people who now clamour for the strict enforcement of the law. The Police have always been in touch with licensees, and in the past have depended largely on the publicans for information, and no doubt they now find it somewhat difficult to turn aggressively upon the latter, when formerly forbearance was the price of assistance when wanted ; and. it is for these reasons that credit is due for the faithful and impartial manner in which the Police have carried out these duties. The suppression of larrikinism has been specially studied during the past year with good results, and, though it is by no means yet stamped out, it is decreasing visibly. Considerable progress has also been made with the suppression of houses of ill-fame, since the introduction of the Criminal Code Act of last session. 11. From the return attached, showing the proportion of Police to population, and cost of Police per inhabitant in each of the Australasian Colonies, it will be seen that New Zealand is far below any of her sister colonies in both these respects ; but, owing to the increase of population, more especially in the towns and suburbs of the principal centres, it has been considered necessary to make provision in this year's estimates for a considerable augmentation in the number of constables, while provision has also been made for matrons for police stations at the four centres. 12. The Infant Life Protection Act, passed last session, is working extremely well, and has undoubtedly put an end to what threatened to be a serious evil. 13. The criminal statistics for the year ended 31st December, 1893, show an increase of 490 in the total number of all offences reported in the colony during the year, as compared with the previous twelve months. The principal increases are : Assaults (common), 57 ; assaults occasioning bodily harm, 29; assault and robbery, 10 ; bankruptcy frauds, 8 ; burglary, breaking into shops, &c, 96 ; cattle- and horse-stealing, 44; cutting and wounding, 11; deserting wives and families, 42 ; disobeying orders of Court, 53; embezzlement, 16; false pretences, 7 ; forgery and uttering, 11; failing to support parents and near relatives, 38; larceny (undescribed), 82; larceny from dwellings, 32 ; lunacy, 55 ; obscene and profane language, 27; attempted murder, 4; rape, 4; attempted rape, 5; sly grog-selling, 42; attempted suicide, 21; trespass, 19. Other crimes have decreased as follows: Assaults (indecent), 6; cruelty to animals, 33; drunkenness, 109; gaming, 59; larcenies as bailees, 13; malicious injuries to property, 14; murder, 9; neglected and criminal children, 16 ; vagrancy, 65.

3

H.—l4

14. In order that the working of each police district may be known to the members of the Legislature and the public, it is thought that the following extracts from the annual reports of the Inspectors in charge of the different districts will be read with interest, and they are published accordingly. • ■ I have, &c, The Hon. the Defence Minister. A. Hume, Commissioner.

EXTEACTS FBOM ANNUAL EEPOET OF OFFICEBS IN CHAEGE OF DISTEIGTS.

Inspector J. Hickson, Auckland, Waikato, and Bay op Islands.

■ Tho return of crime which has been furnished shows that 2,597 offences were reported in the year 1893, as against 2,410 in 1892, showing an increase of 187. The principal increases were in the following cases : — Breaking into shops, dwellings, and burglary : Eighty-one cases were reported, showing an increase of forty-six. For these offences thirteen persons were committed for trial; five were convicted at the Supreme Court, three were summarily convicted, and five discharged. Cattle and horse stealing : Twenty-eight offences were reported, showing an increase of eleven. Of these, twenty-two persons were prosecuted; twelve of them were committed for trial, and of these eleven were convicted at the Supreme Court, one was summarily convicted, and nine were discharged. Deserting and failing to provide for wives and children : Seventy-five were reported, being an increase of twenty-six; seventy-two were prosecuted, thirty-nine of whom were summarily convicted and thirty-three discharged. For disobeying orders of Court: Eighty-seven were reported, being an increase of sixty-two. Eighty-six were prosecuted; forty-three were summarily convicted and forty-three discharged. Disturbing meetings and congregations: Seventeen offences were reported, as against none during the previous year ; for these, seventeen persons were prosecuted and summarily convicted. Embezzlement: Sixteen cases were reported, being an increase of four. Fourteen persons were arrested, one of whom was committed for trial and convicted, two were summarily convicted, and eleven discharged. False pretences : Thirty-three offences were reported, being an increase of four. Twenty-seven persons were prosecuted, five of whom were committed for trial; four of these were convicted; sixteen were summarily convicted', and six discharged. ■ Forgery and uttering: Thirteen offences reported, being an increase of nine. Nine persons were prosecuted, committed for trial, and subsequently convicted at the Supreme Court. Gaming unlawfully : Eight cases were reported,-being an increase of seven. Eight persons were prosecuted, five of whom were summarily convicted and three were discharged. Larceny of all kinds: 607 offences were reported, being an increase of 177. For these offences 303 persons were prosecuted, of whom twenty-three were committed for trial. Eighteen of these were convicted at the Supreme Court, 221 were summarily convicted, and fifty-nine discharged. Many of the offences of larceny were of a trivial nature, and in many cases the property stolen was not identifiable. This will account for the small number of prosecutions when compared with the number of offences reported. Eape, and attempts to commit: Five offences were reported ; none the previous year. There were four prosecutions, and of these three were committed for trial; one of them convicted at the Supreme Court, and one was discharged. Smuggling : Eight offences were reported, being an increase of six. Eight persons were prosecuted, four of whom were summarily convicted and four discharged. Suicide, attempted: Fourteen cases reported, being an increase of ten. All were prosecuted and dealt with summarily. There was one case of death, resulting from injuries received in a glove-fight. The principal and accessories were discharged, the Grand Jury having found no bill. In some classes there has been a decrease. The following are the principal:— Abusive and threatening language : Twenty-two cases were reported, being a decrease of twenty-three. Twelve were summarily convicted and ten discharged. Breaches of the peace: Twenty-one cases reported, being a decrease of thirty-five. Twenty were prosecuted; of these, eighteen were summarily convicted and two discharged. Drunkenness : 915 were apprehended, showing a decrease of 121. Naval deserters : Eleven were reported, being a decrease of twelve. Seven were arrested and placed on board their vessels. Neglected and criminal children : Eleven were reported, being a decrease of eleven. Ten were summarily convicted and one discharged. In the early part of last month three constables, who attempted to arrest two Maoris who had been convicted of removing sur,vey-pegs, were obstructed and assaulted near Mercer by a number of Maoris, under the leadership of Keroi Kaihau. On the 9th ultimo, according to your, instructions, I proceeded to Mercer to effect the arrest of those for whom warrants had been issued. I took twenty police, and was supported by Lieutenant Hume and sixteen of the Permanent Force: After much resistance, we arrested Kerei Kaihau and eighteen of his followers. Ten of the principal offenders, including Kerei Kaihau and his wife, have been committed for trial. Larrikinism is kept well under. Several members of the criminal class have arrived in Auckland from Australia during the year, especially from Sydney.

4

H.—l4

Owing to the increase in the number of cases of housebreaking, and attempts at such, I have considered it necessary to employ four constables in plain clothes on night duty, in addition to the usual number of constables in uniform. It would, in my opinion, be more economical to erect police-buildings at nearly all the stations where we at present pay rent. During the year one constable, who had been reported for misconduct, was allowed to resign; another was fined £2 and transferred to another district; and a second-class Serjeant has been reduced to third-class constable. With these exceptions, the conduct of the Serjeants and constables has on the whole been satisfactory.

Inspector J. Emerson, Napier and East Coast. There has been a slight increase of crime in the district for the year just ended, as compared with that for the previous year. Of the fifty cases committed for trial, I am glad to say that only two are of so serious a nature as to call for special mention. The exceptions are that of a man for burglariously entering a dwelling-house and committing a rape therein, sentenced to five years' penal servitude and a whipping. The other case was that of a Maori, for stealing from a store at Te Puke, Bay of Plenty, and afterwards setting fire to the place, sentenced to four years' penal servitude at the criminal sittings in Auckland. The most common offences of the remaining cases are those of forgery, larceny, and horsestealing, the police being fairly successful in prosecuting to conviction. Thirty-three cases resulting in convictions, out of fifty, committed for trial. The Maoris gave considerable trouble at Whakatane, Port Awanui, and Galatea during the early part of the financial year. At the first-named place, fifteen were sentenced to one month each in Auckland Goal for obstructing surveyors, and were escorted there by Inspector Hickson and party, who went from Auckland for the purpose. Later in the same month, seven other Natives were fined for the same offence, and, in default, warrants of commitment were issued. These warrants, and seven others for arrest, issued against other Natives for destroying trig.station (fourteen warrants in all) remain unexecuted, the offenders having retired into the back country to evade arrest. At Port Awanui, nineteen Maoris were brought before the Court for pulling down a trig.station, seventeen being fined £40 each, or three months', and two acquitted. The fines were subsequently reduced to £5, and paid. At Galatea, a row between two factions of Natives took place over -the ownership of land, which, no doubt, would have resulted seriously had the Police not arrived there in time to prevent a breach of the peace. The members of the Force engaged in these Maori affairs had to undergo some- hardship, and are deserving of praise for the manner in which they cheerfully carried out their duty. Additions have been made to the accommodation of the Rotorua and Waipukurau Stations, two rooms being added to each. The remainder of the police stations are in fair condition. With one or two exceptions, the conduct of the members of the Force under my command has been satisfactory. Three constables (two ordinary and one Native) have been dismissed for misconduct; one discharged on compensation, on medical grounds; and one appointed on transfer from the Permanent Artillery. A reward of £5 was made to Constable James Ryan, for meritorious conduct, in saving a man from drowning on the Napier beach. In addition to their police duties, a large proportion of the men are employed in other work— namely, Clerk of Court, Bailiffs, Police Gaolers, Inspector of Weights and Measures, Collectors of Agricultural Statistics, Inspectors of Factories, Inspectors under Beer Duty Act, Registrar of Electors, Returning Officers, and other minor offices. The settlers in the Hawke's Bay district received a severe blow by the disastrous floods which occurred in December last, when a large number of settlers lost their stock and crops, involving many in ruin. The loss sustained by the settlers and others has naturally had a very depressing effect on trade, &c, in the Hawke's Bay end of the district. Other portions of the district appear fairly prosperous.

Inspector J. B-. Thomson, Wanganui and West Coast. Two new police-stations have been opened within this district during the year—namely, Eltham and Waitotara, and the Normanby Station has been reopened after being closed for upwards of two years. The police buildings generally throughout the district are in a fair condition, and with the exception of those at Wanganui, on which I recently reported, will not need much expenditure for repairs during the ensuing year. The crimes of cattle-stealing and horse-stealing were rampant when I assumed charge of this district in the early part of last year; but, since the gang located about Hawera was broken up, about seven or eight months ago, scarcely any offences of that kind have been reported, notwithstanding the facilities offered by the great extent of forest country in Taranaki, and the extraordinary lenity of the sentences respectively passed on the offenders in question. No report of illicit distillation being carried on in any part of the district has been received during the year, although the police within the district are constantly on the alert in connection with same. The usual monthly meeting of Natives continues to be held at Parihaka (the largest being on the 17th March), but for some time past they have led to no trouble. In the month of August last,

5

H.—l4.

accompanied by Constable Hickman, I arrested Te Whiti, at Parihaka, on warrant for contempt of Court, and brought him up at the District Court here, when the District Judge severely cautioned him not to be guilty of a similar offence again, and discharged him. As will be seen by the annual " Offences Return " from this district, filed in your office, there has been an increase in some offences during the year, and a decrease in others, the chief increase being in cattle- and horse-stealing (in the early part of the year), false pretences, larceny from dwellings, and sly grog-selling; and the chief decrease being in common assaults, drunkenness, and vagrancy. A number of police constables within this district also discharge the duties of Clerk of Court, bailiff, and various other outside appointments. But in view of the rapid increase of settlement and population, and a consequent increase of police work, I anticipate that it will be found necessary in the near future to either increase the number of police in the district, or relieve the present members of the Force of a considerable portion of the outside duties in question, in order to enable the police-duty to be efficiently performed. The conduct of the Serjeants and constables throughout the district has been creditable to the department; and in the discharge of their public duty they have, on the whole, given satisfaction to the Magistrates and to the general public.

Inspector P. Pender, Wellington and Marlborough. The strength of the Force on the 31st March, 1894, was as per monthly statement, already forwarded to your office. There are twenty-five stations in the district, including Mount Cook, which has been recently opened. The conduct of the men throughout the district has, on the whole, been good; and several of them have received rewards for meritorious conduct during the year. A number of very young men have joined the Force during the year, having been transferred from the Permanent Artillery ; and they have, on the whole, shown themselves desirous of obtaining a knowledge of police-work. Several of the stations have undergone repairs, and are now clean and comfortable. • With respect to the married members of the Force in the city : in consequence of the high rents prevailing, they are compelled to live long distances from the Central Station, and are not available for duty in cases of emergency. I believe it would pay the department to build or purchase small cottages at some place convenient to the Central Station, and let them to the men at a small rental. The returns for the year ending the 31st December, 1893, show an increase in the number of cases of crime reported ; there is, however, a corresponding increase in the number of apprehensions and convictions. The increase is no doubt attributable to the influx of population from the Australian Colonies and other parts of New Zealand. About the beginning of the year 1893 the depression began to be felt very accutely in Sydney and Melbourne, and, as New Zealand was daily becoming more prosperous, every steamer brought men over, and amongst them, as might be expected under such circumstances, were a sprinkling of the criminal class, many of whom stayed in Wellington for a time ; they were not, however, long here before they became known to the police, and were closely watched. For several months past the city has been particularly free from crime; of any description. There can be no doubt that the city and district generally has been making great progress. During the year 1893, 6,458 persons arrived in Wellington from outside the colony, and 3,497 left; about 230 houses were erected in the city during the same period. The shipping has also increased immensely. In the out-districts settlement on the land has made great advancement. In my opinion everything points to a large increase in the population of the city during the current year.

Inspector F. McGoveen, Nelson and Westeand. The district as a rule has been comparatively free from crimes of a serious nature, and the number of petty crimes has decreased. In Nelson some suspicious fires occurred, the police inquiries resulting in one man being committed to the lunatic asylum and a second is now awaiting trial on a charge of attempted arson. The new police-station, Greymouth, was occupied in September last. At several stations slight necessary repairs have been effected. The police quarters at Hokitika are still in an unfinished condition, and I presume will not be ready for occupation until after the railway-station buildings, &c., have been completed. Taken as a whole, the police buildings throughout the district are in fair condition. The conduct of the Force has, with a few exceptions, been good, and the numerous duties have been satisfactorily performed.

Inspectoe T. Beoham, Canterbury and North Otago. The Offences Return furnished to your office, for the year ended the 31st December last, shows that during the year 2,654 offences of all kinds were reported, and 2,487 persons were arrested or proceeded against by summons; while for the year ended the 31st December, 1892, 2,594 offences were reported: last year's record showing an increase, as compared with the previous year, of a total of sixty. A decrease of eighty-three in the arrests for drunkenness last year, compared with the arrests for 1892, has occurred. During 1893, 1,169 persons were charged with this offence, while for 1892 1,252 persons were so charged. A comparison of the various kinds of crime committed during the last two years shows but a very slight difference in the totals for both years. No crime calling for special remark was committed during 1893.

H.—l4

6

As indirectly bearing upon crime, I think it necessary to bring under your notice the difficulty the police have to contend with in dealing with larrikinism. The public are constantly complaining of the growth of this nuisance, but no enlargement of the powers of the police has ever been given to enable them to deal successfully with it. In most cases of the kind the police have to proceed by summons; and when, as usually happens, an offender is fined a few shillings, perhaps a month after the offence has been committed, the effect on the larrikin mind is to breed contempt of the whole proceedings and a greater disregard of the laws of the country. Besides, the larrikin usually gives a false name to the constable when found committing an offence, and so screens himself from any penalty whatever. Could he be arrested in every ease, when found offending, he would learn to look upon constables with a very different eye, and less would be heard of larrikinism. I would beg to point out that in Australia, wherever two constables are stationed together, one of them holds the rank of senior constable and receives sixpence per day extra, and wears one stripe upon the arm. It seems to me a great advantage would be gained by the introduction of such a system here. When two constables are posted together, neither wearing a stripe, nor bearing a recognised rank, the discipline of the Force must assuredly suffer, as one cannot well speak to the other with a voice of authority. Considerable improvements have lately been made in the district stations, which have been much neglected in years past, but further improvements are still required to place the stations in a proper state of repair. The Government property in the district is in fair order, and the horses sound and in good condition.

Inspector W. S. Pardt, Dunedin, Southland, and Lakes. As regards crime, there has been very little change in the number of cases reported in the more serious crimes, there being a slight increase in some and a slight falling off in others. The offence calling for most attention is that of assault on girls of a tender age. In one case the police successfully prosecuted a man for committing rape on his daughter, aged fifteen years, at Kinloch, and- an exemplary sentence of fifteen years' penal servitude was passed on him ; also another man was successfully prosecuted for attempted rape on a girl of seven years at Dunedin, and sentenced to five years' penal servitude ; while another was also prosecuted for a similar offence on a girl of thirteen years at Thornbury, but after a trial lasting three days was acquitted. A man, for rape on his step-daughter, aged thirteen, at Invercargill, is now awaiting his trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court; while another has been committed for trial at Clinton, for indecent assault on two girls of tender years. A man was also committed for trial on a private prosecution for indecent assault on a little girl at Gore ; but, in this case, the grand jury, at the recent Supreme Court sittings at Dunedin, threw out the bill, there being little or no evidence. In this last case the police declined to prosecute, owing to the extreme weakness of the evidence. The only other case calling for attention is that of a charge of murder by stabbing, at South Dunedin, on the evening of Christmas Day last. In this case a verdict of manslaughter was returned by the jury. In regard to charges of drunkenness, there has been a decrease of 102, while the decrease in the number of all cases reported during the past year, compared with the previous year, is 99, drunkenness thus accounting for the-decrease. The police have been very successful in the enforcement of the Licensing Act, both as regards hotelkeepers and sly grog-sellers ; but I am sorry to say that, as far as regards hotelkeepers, there is a strong disinclination on the part of many members of the Force to carry out the provisions of the Act. This I attribute to the great length of time they have been stationed here without change, thus causing a friendship to grow up between the publicans and those members of the Fores. In regard to other matters, there is nothing particularly requiring comment. As a whole the Police have fairly done their duty, both as regards police and the numerous other duties wffiich they are called upon to perform. The station-buildings are all in fair order, and affording good accommodation to the members of the Force occupying them, with the exception of Cromwell and Waitahuna, both of which require enlarging. There has been one death during the year, and two discharges on compensation through failure of health ; otherwise the men have been comparatively healthy. A police-station was re-opened at Ravensbourne on the 19th of June last. In conclusion, I may add that twelve constables underwent ten days' gun-drill at Taiaroa Heads in the months of November and December last.

H.—l4.

7

Return showing the Number of Offences reported, Persons apprehended, and Comparison of Crime during the Year ending 31st December, 1892, and Year ending 31st December, 1893.

1892. 1893. to © £©» SO o £p! © « d ft o III ags A si ft °0 to © Persons apprehended or summoned. ©" T3tr3 o co © © a o a o IS si Number of Convictions amongst those Committed for Trial. Offences. Committed for Trial. Summarily Convicted. Discharged. © CO © ft © a h-t © to © ft © © R ! M. j F. M. F. M. F. ooa£ B d o M. F. Abandoning children Abortion, procuring Absconding from apprenticeship Absconding from bail Absconding from industrial schools Abusive and threatening language Arson Arson, attempted Assaults, common Assaults, indecent Assaults occasioning bodily harm Assaults on police Assaults and robbery Bankruptcy fraud Begging Bestiality ... Bigamy Branding, unlawful Breaches of the peace Burglary, breaking into shops, dwellings] &c. Carnally knowing Carnally knowing, attempted .. . Cattle- and horse-stealing Cattle-maiming Child-stealing Coinage offences Concealment of birth Conspiring to defraud Contempt of Court Cruelty to animals Cruelty to children Cutting and wounding Damaging police uniform Demanding goods with menaces Deserting and failing to provide for wives and children Deserters and stragglers from H.M. ships Deserting merchant vessels Disobeying orders on board ships Discharging firearms Disobeying orders of Court and summonses Disobeying terms of release under First Offenders Probation Act Disorderly and riotous conduct Distillation offences Distributing obscene literature .. Disturbing meetings and congregations Dog-stealing Drunkenness Embezzlement Escaping from custodyEscaping from lunatic asylums.. Failing to support parents and near relatives False declarations False pretences Forcible entry Forgery and uttering Furious riding and driving Game, illegally shooting Gaming offences Illegally on premises Indecent exposure and behaviour Keeping disorderly houses Killing animals with intent to steal the carcases Larceny (undescribed) Larceny as a bailee Larceny, attempted Larceny from dwellings Larceny from the person Larceny of post-letters Larceny by servants Libel 1 . 3 4 4 34 248 34 5 684 23 46 74 36 13 5 2 1 3 3 A A 31 248 14 2 677 20 46 74 36 11 5 2 "l 1 2 1 6 2 4 21 150 "2 '2 20 239 36 3 627 29 17 74 ■ 26 5 2 '7 22 3 64 6 1 243 7 21 10 9 4 14 9 '5 '2 1 ia 1 "2 "l '2 1 12 10 384 1 13 59 1 2 4 24 25 1 5 2 '2 57 "t 2 29 2 2 3 is . 3 2 10 8 3 2 22 9 2 i i 1 2 3 227 165 "l i 3 239 261 60 i 185 44 '2 56 11 'i 238 116 '45 "l 12 96 1 3 84 2 1 4 2 14 7 138 2 6 7 1 1 1 "3 128 3 54 1 ' 3 30 'm 1 '42 44 1 '1 4 1 19 5 105 3 17 9 1 181 2 '2 4 "l i 8 4 2 89 1 1 7 5 3 14 17 5 104 3 17 9 1 163 "6 '5 'l 2 '2 33 ii i' i i "a 1 "5 1 11 2 1 42 139 '84 ii 65 '3 25 21 16 10 4 16 18 18 199 11 25 14 252 3 21 14 123 3 4 6 25 14 237 5 '3 '7 '4 109 '2 53 4 5 5 5 1 112 "l 65 125 2 2 82 98 1 1 66 8 19 1 1 14 125 2 2 81 13 2 1 17 'i 6 5,360 40 4 6 93 3 5,251 56 6 5 131 1 4,339 9 4 3 66 142 24 1 % 1 5,251 44 6 5 130 3 109 752 18 ii 1 "e 1 i<3 2 2 3 i 56 h 38 133 4 58 35 18 82 107 84 30 3 ■ 7 145 1 69 51 16 23 100 86 28 3 6 24 i 60 7 26 1 3 11 4 9 5 13 3 2 6 120 1 56 51 16 23 99 84 28 3 13 7 12 '3 52 40 12 14 88 67 6 2 'i '47 ii 16 2 59 7 1 5 4 14 "l 2 "5 2 'i 1,746 44 7 90 69 2 1 2 1,828 31 2 128 74 1 5 2 82 6 4 791 9 79 209 9 27 1 1,192 25 53 4 2 .82 13 5 '9 7 h '43 18 0 3 '5 4 'i i '(34 41 "8 4 "l 32 5 'i '2 2 '2 i "5 2 "l 1 i

H.—l4.

8

Return showing the Number of Offences reported, Persons apprehended, and Comparison of Crime during the Year ending 31st December, 1892, and Year ending 31st December, 1893 — continued.

1892. 1893. Offences. ft a* © © © ■gfi-ft-So g A cS ft O © © © H<fc] ft So g ?. to © Persons apprehended or summoned. Committed for Trial. Summarily Convicted. Discharged. n flr 3 pi H O d O C3 to ffl d °° &ft B ''S Number of Convictions amongst thoso Committed for 1 Trial. M. F. m © s 5 6 CO © 3 <s> Q ■H o M. F. M. F. M. F. Lunacy Malicious injury to property Manslaughter Manslaughter, accessory to MurderMurder, accessory to .. Murder attempted Neglected and criminal children Obscene and profane language .. Obstructing and resisting police Obstructing railway-lines Obstructing surveys Obstructing thoroughfares Pawning, illegal Perjury Pig-stealing Prisons offences (loitering about, and communicating with prisoners) • Rape Rape, attempted Receiving stolen property Refusing to quit licensed premises Rescuing cattle from being impounded Robbery under arms Sacrilege Sealing during close season Sheep-stealing Shooting with intent Sly grog-selling Smuggling Sodomy, attempted Soliciting prostitution Stone-throwing Stowaways on board ships Suicide, attempted Sureties of the peace Threatening letters Travelling by rail and refusing to pay fares Trespass .. Unlawfully falling timber Vagrancy 366 463 5 • 421 449 2 1 2 246 317 92 31 65 74 18 9 421 431 2 10 2 55 14 3 '2 10 i 11 2 1 177 410 134 5 6 i "i "1 '9 2 5 161 437 130 11 6 7 2 13 1 9 "s 1 61 65 2 2 7 52 9 2 4 1 2 6 6 161 436 130 11 47 7 2 13 1 9 "2 "1 "a ie> 89 295 117 9 28 6 4 24 2 27 6 "a 15 7 2 1 1 2 'ia "l "l 7 "2 "7 '2 7 8 18 33 11 13 19 19 12 8 9 3 3 1 8 11 10 19 19 12 6 4 1 A 5 1 1 18 3 i 1 'es ii '7 '2 12 3 1 3 1 "l 1 2 1 "1 '3 2 3 22 4 29 9 i '3 26 7 71 13 1 6 42 46 43 19 1 3 '8 4 28 9 i 17 2 2 6 4 20 10 7 71 13 1 6 42 46 43 19 1 3 "l 3 4 3 42 4 1 1 "a '2 1 i 7 33 50 22 28 3 7 3 i 1 30 42 11 11 "5 1 12 3 17 7 6 "2 '9 21 "a 9 2 4 1 "l 2 1 30 49 3 315 35 3 209 2 11 48 3 315 19 3 380 41 50 12 65 Totals 12,675 13,165 461 27 8,498 1,305 1,591 217 12,100 289 11 914 424 Inc, 490

9

H.—l4.

2—H. 14.

Return showing the Strength and Distribution of the New Zealand Police Force on the 31st March, 1894.

Stations. m § © © a w ® S | a j3 © +j &0 to ft a © o en © ■ft o © © o E-i CO 4J © .23 2 to n§ o oa © El w o o Stations. pa o © © ft a ** QQ a © © xa o d w a o o tn © > © <S A o .8.Q 'A 3 O o ■s-i Q Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Islands — Auckland Aratapu Cambridge Coromandel Dargaville Devonport Eden Terrace .. Freeman's Bay .. Hamilton Helensville Howick Huntly Kamo Kawakawa Kihikihi Mangawai Mercer Mongonui Newmarket Newton Ngaruawahia Onehunga Otahuhu Otorohanga Paeroa Panmure ' '.. Papakura Parnell Ponsonby Port Albert Pukekohe Raglan Rawene Russell Shortland Surrey Hills Tairua Te Aroha Te Awamutu Thames Waipu Waiuku Warkworth Whangarei Whangaroa Whitianga 1 6 'i l 28 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 37 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 • ■ 'i > • *i Wanganui and West Coast — New Plymouth .. Waitara Inglewood Stratford Eltham Normanby Hawera Patea Waverley Waitotara Manaia Opunake Pungarehu Pukearuhe Wanganui Ohingaiti Hunterville Marton Bull's Feilding Palmerston North Terrace-end Foxton Kawhia 1 1 *i 5 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 1 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 7 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 8 1 1 1 1 1 5 1 1 2 l "i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 i 1 1 Totals 1 5 36 42 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 Wellington and Marlborough— Wellington Mount Cook Clyde Quay Manners Street .. Wellington South Thomdon Quay.. Petone Lower Hutt Upper Hutt Featherston Martinborough .. Greytown North Carterton Masterton To Nui Eketahuna Pahiatua Johnsonville Pahautanui Otaki Levin Blenheim Pieton Havelock Cullensville 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 5 1 1 l 2 1 29 5 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 35 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 'i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i Totals 1 ii 74 2 88 5 4 i | i 4 3 1 1 5 3 1 1 'i Napier and East Coast — Napier Olive Danevirke Gisborne Hastings Herbertville Katikati Maketu Moawhango Opotiki Ormond Ormondville Port Awanui Rotorua Spit Taradale Taupo Tauranga Tokaanu Tologa Bay Tuparoa Waipawa Waipiro Waipukurau Wairoa Whakatane Woodville l i i 8 1 1 5 1 1 'i l l l i l l l l l l 10 1 1 6 o 1 'i ii i i i i i i 2 1 1 'i ■ Totals Nelson and Westland— Greymouth (on leave) Brunnerton Ahaura Reefton Lyell Westport Denniston Charleston Dunganville Kumara Stafford Hokitika Kanieri Ross Okarito Nelson The Port Richmond Spring Grove Collingwood ■ .. Takaka Motueka 1 i l 5 1 1 i 63 5 2 1 1 1 b 1 1 1 2 2 72 7 1 2 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 1 1 7 1 2 1 i i 2 1 1 1 6 1 'i 1 i 'i 1 'i l i 2 1 l 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 33 i Totals l l 3 34 l 40 2 5 Totals l 6 40 2

H.—14.

10

Note.—Populations arc taken from official estimates, as on 31st December, 1893.

Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, nil; printing (1,700 copies), £10 4s. 6<I.

By Authority: Samuel Costall, Government Printer, Wellington.—1894. « - " Price 6i.]

Return showing the Strength, &c., of the New Zealand Police Force— continued.

Eeturn showing Casualties in the New Zealand Police Fop.ce during the Year ended 31st March, 1894. Retired on compensation .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 Resignations .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 Dismissals .. .. .. .. .. .'. .. .. ,,: . 4 Deaths .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 22

Return showing the Proportion of Police to Population and Cost of Police per Inhabitant in each of the under-mentioned Places.

Stations. co s-< o 4= © ft CO 5 H h ii oa a © © © to 4J O co m o ® *3 o EH to -W © Jffl o co o CD LO Stations. pa* O © © ft a. 1-4 w Ii © 3 02 03 4J a © U © to © 3 eg 4a m a o O oa a © a © "3 O H to 4J © .23 M * S§ u ©| cd en *3 o Canterbury and North Otago— Christchurch . Addington . .. . Akaroa Amberley . Ashburton Bealey Bingsiaud Coalgate Culverden Fairlie Geraldine Hampden Kaiapoi Kaikoura Kurow . Leeston Lincoln Little River Lyttelton Methven Ngapara Oamaru Oxford Papanui Phillipstown Pleasant Point .. Rakaia Rangiora St. Albans Sheffield South-bridge Sydenham Temuka Timaru Waimate Woolston 1 1 3 i 25 1 2 1 5 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 6 1 1 3 33 1 2 1 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 5 1 1 8 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 8 2 1 Dunedin, Southland, and Lakes— contd. Bluff Caversham Clinton Clyde Cromwell Gore Green Island Half-moon Bay .. Invercargill Kaitangata ' .. Lawrence Lumsden Mataura Middlemarch Milton Momington Mosgiel Naseby North-east Valley North Invercargill Ophir Orepuki Otautau Outram Palmerston Pembroke Port Chalmers .. Queenstown Ravonsbourne .. Riverton Roslyn Roxburgh South Dunedin .. St. Bathan's South Invercargill Tapanui Waikaia Waikouaiti Waitahuna Waitati Winton Woodhaugh Wyndham 1 i l i 'i i 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 8 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 2 1 10 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 2 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i l 1 1 1 i I " Totals 1 1 8 81 5 96 Dunedin, Southland, and Lakes— Dunedin Central King Street Alexandra Anderson's Bay .. Arrowtown . .. Balclutha 1 4 1 26 4 1 1 1 1 2 33 5 1 1 1 1 Totals 1 14 89 3 107 1 Grand Total.. 7 3 52 13 485 13 9 410

Place. Proportion of Police to Population. Cost of Police per Inhabitant. Remarks. Now Zealand 1 to 1,472 s. d. 2 1\ Number of police, 485 ; net expenditure (vide Appropriation Account for year ended 31st March, 1894), £93,468 16s. Id. Population, 714,258 (including Maoris). Vide Estimates for 1893-94, viz.: Number of police, 1,483 ; vote, £261,597. Population, 1,174,022. Vide Estimates for 1894, viz.: Number of police, 1,781; vote, £319,511. Population, 1,223,370. Vide Estimates for year ending 30th June, 1893, viz. : Number of police, 386 ; vote, £84,782. Population, 346,874. Number of police, 752 (exclusive of Native trackers) ; vote, £151,693 (vide Estimates for 1893-94). Population, 432,299. Victoria 1 to 791 A 5J New South Wales .. 1 to 687 5 2J South Australia 1 to 898 A 10J Queensland 1 to 575 7 0