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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1899 Session I, H-16

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1899. 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 Minister of Justice. Sir, — Police Department, Commissioner's Office, 3rd May, 1899. 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 last. Strength of Force. On the 31st March last the strength of the Force was 554 of all ranks, being an increase of 18 during the year. The total is made up as follows: Inspectors, 7; Sub-Inspectors, 4; sergeantsmajor, 2; sergeants, 51; constables, 463; detectives, 15; and probationers, 12.■ In addition to above there were 4 police surgeons, 4 matrons, 20 district constables, 7 native constables, and 94 horses. Stations. New stations have been formed at Linwood, Mangaweka, Poro-o-tarao, and Te Kuiti; and district constables have been appointed at Broad Bay (Otago Peninsula) and Waikaremoana. Augmentations. Augmentationsjhave been made at—Christchurch, 1; Dannevirke, 1; Hawera, 1; Sydenham, 1 ; Tauranga, 1; Thames, 1; Wanganui, 1; and Wellington South, 1. Eeductions. Seductions have been made at —Auckland, 2 ; Dunedin, 2 ; Oamaru, 1; Patea, 1; and Wellington, 1. Casualties. The casualties have been—Eetired on medical grounds, with compassionate allowance, 11; resigned, 10; dismissed, 8 ; died, 1; retransferred to Permanent Militia, 1; and services dispensed with, 3 : total, 34. This is five in excess of the preceding year. Criminal Statistics. These statistics, which include all offences reported, are made up for the year ended the 31st December last, and show an aggregate increase of 1,159 as compared with the totals of the preceding year. The principal increases are—Abusive and threatening language, 28; assaults occasioning bodily harm, 22 ; assaults on police, 41; conspiring to defeat the ends of justice, 24 ; cruelty to animals, 68; deserting and failing to provide for wives and children, 66 ; disobeying orders of Court and summonses, 60; drunkenness, 328 ; forgery and uttering, 23 ; gaming offences, 116; illegally on premises, 69 ; neglected and criminal children, 43; stowaways on board ships, 22 ; theft undescribed, 151; and theft from dwellings, 146. The principal decreases are—Assaults, common, 78 ; burglary, breaking into shops, dwellings, &c, 60; failing to support parents, near relatives, &c, 55; malicious injury to property, 26; slygrog selling, 59 ; and trespass, 39. Remarks on Criminal Statistics. These statistics, taken as a whole, are not by any means satisfactory. They show—(a) that as regards petty thefts (" Thefts Undescribed " and " Thefts from Dwellings," under which headings the most serious increases have occurred) the criminal classes were more active during the year 1898 than during the preceding year; and (b) that the police as a preventive force were not so efficient as could be desired. On the other hand, the number of more serious offences against property (burglary, breaking into shops and dwellings, &c.) has decreased by sixty, being 15-1 per cent, under the figures for the year 1897, thus showing that the more dangerous class of criminals have been kept well in check. I—H. 16.

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As a detective body, however, the Force compares more favourably with the preceding year. In the case of "Thefts Dndescribed " and "Thefts from Dwellings," where the aggregate increase on the figures for 1897 was 297, the percentage of arrests to offences committed was, for 1897, 57 - 9, and for 1898, 60-7. Again, taking all classes of theft, including burglary, &c, the percentage of arrests to offences committed is again in favour of 1898, for although the aggregate increase during that year on the figures of 1897 was 301 the percentage of arrests increased from 56 - l in 1897 to 59-5 m 1898. Two out of the three recommendations I made in my last report, with a view of increasing the efficiency of the Force—namely, the augmentation of fifty men and the appointment of four SubInspectors—have been adopted by the Government. The want of some system of superannuation (my third recommendation) is felt as acutely as ever, and the retention in the service of men who are worn out naturally militates against the Force becoming an efficient body. Public attention has latterly been drawn to what appears to be a very serious increase in the .number of offences against women and children. The following return, giving the number of such offences during the past twenty years, however, shows this to be more imaginary than real, for while during that period the population has increased by 64-2 per cent, the offences in question have increased only by 519 per cent., notwithstanding that between the years 1889 and 1896 the age of consent was raised from twelve to sixteen. It having been suggested in some quarters that the activity of police since the year 1891 in closing houses of ill-fame has tended to bring about an increase in the number of these offences against females, and has also increased the number of illegitimate births, I have included in the return figures upon those points for what they are worth. Offences against females, and illegitimate births, have undoubtedly very considerably increased since the date named, but I am not prepared to offer any opinion as to the cause thereof, except that as regards the former I think the increase is more attributable to the raising of the age of consent than to any other cause. The figures are as follows : —

Drunkenness, Sunday-tkading, etc. Drunkenness has, I regret to say, a decided upward tendency, the increase for the year on the figures of 1897 being 328. Wellington has the unenviable notoriety of being the most intemperate of the four principal cities, the figures for those cities and suburbs being —Wellington, 953 ; Auckland, 697 ; Dunedin, 597 ; and Christchurch, 583. The number of arrests for drunkenness on Sundays during 1898 were also higher in Wellington than in either of the other abovenamed cities, the figures being—Wellington, 63; Dunedin, 46 ; Christchurch, 40; and Auckland, 33. Taking the latter figures as an indication as to how far the law relating to Sunday-closing is observed, it would appear that Wellington is the greatest offender in this respect, and the question " What are the Wellington police doing? " naturally follows. During the past year the number of informations laid against publicans in the four cities for breaches of the licensing-laws was— Wellington, 45, resulting in seven convictions; Auckland, 20, with six convictions; Christchurch, 21, with six convictions ; and Dunedin, 12, also with six convictions. It will therefore be seen that in Wellington, although there were more than double the number of informations laid than in

Number if Offences agai: ist Women and ihildren. Year. Carnally knowing Girls and Attempts to oarnally know. Number of Prosecutions against the Keepers of Houses of Illfame. Proportion of Illegitimate births to every 100 Births. Indecent Assaults. Rape and Attempts to rape. Total. 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 28 35 34 22 27 26 22 22 26 '20 9 10 L5 13 23 34 L5 2;> 42 43 1 1 "2 3* 3 3 4 1 10t 5 61 20 17 24 16 20 25 16 12 7 22 20 23 27 16 19 6 24 32 17 26 9 19 52 51 54 47 44 38 30 44 48 43 39 29 37 23 48 76 37 57 71 79 "8 1 2 2 3 1 2 4G 30 28 02 37 45 21 25 3-12 3-23 305 3-32 3-30 3'49 3-32 3-70 3-80 4-50 4-48 4-41 4-23 * Age of com Age of consent lent raised from raised from fiftei twelve to fourtee: in to sixteen yeai a years. t Age of consent rail led from fourtee; to fifteen years :s.

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either Auckland or Christehurch, and nearly four times as many as in Dunedin, still the convictions obtained were only one in excess of the number in each of the other three cities. The foregoing figures will, I think, be sufficient to show the difficulty the police experience in dealing with Sundaytrading, especially in Wellington, where the publicans run so little risk of conviction. The total number of informations laid against publicans throughout the colony during the year was 301, resulting in 121 convictions, and although Sunday-trading is not nearly so prevalent as it was it is still resorted to by many unscrupulous publicans who have but little stake in the houses they conduct. The police will never be able to successfully cope with this class of offence until the law is amended on the lines of section 25 of " The Intoxicating Liquors Act, 1872," in force in England. As stated in my former report, my predecessor repeatedly recommended the inclusion in the licens-ing-laws of the colony something equivalent to the before-mentioned section, and I can only reiterate that recommendation. The increase of drunkenness year after year may in a great measure, I think, be ascribed (a) to the general prosperity of the colony, and (b) the large increase of shipping, especially foreigngoing, attending the various ports. There is no doubt whatever that the crews of vessels in port contribute very largely to the number of drunks, and it is only fair to the'permanent residents of the colony that this should be understood. The practice at many of the Courts is to " convict and discharge" persons who have no previous convictions for drunkenness recorded against them. This, so far as sailors are concerned, is, to my mind, a mistake, for, although there may be no convictions recorded against them at the particular place where they happen to be brought up, it is pretty well known that sailors (especially those employed in the stoke-holes of steam-vessels) who are addicted to drink very seldom obtain leave on arrival in port without getting more or less under the influence of drink. Sly-grog Selling. There were eighty-eight prosecutions for this offence during the year 1898, resulting in fiftyeight convictions, fines amounting to £1,526 10s. being imposed. This offence, although not generally so prevalent as a year or two ago, is still rife in many districts. Owing to the obloquy that falls on all persons who assist police in these cases it is extremely difficult to obtain the necessary evidence to justify proceedings. Public sympathy is invariably with the sly-grog seller, and.it Is hopeless for a witness to attempt to obtain employment in the district after he has been a witness for the prosecution in one of these cases. Were he a criminal his chances would be infinitely better. In a recent case this sympathy with the sly-grog seller went to the extent of threatening the employer of a witness that unless he at once dismissed that witness from his service the patronage of the persons so threatening would be withdrawn from him. The employer was a business-man, and perhaps it is needless to say the threat had the desired result. This unfortunate witness, who had a wife and family to support, thus found himself thrown out of employment, had tcbreak up his home, and leave the district, all because he had committed the terrible offence of assisting the authorities in enforcing the law. Gaming-laws. There were during the year 1898 170 prosecutions for offences under these laws, resulting in 140 convictions, being an increase of 115 on the figures of the preceding year. Although these figures show that the police have been more active during the past year in carrying out these laws, I regret to say there is little indication that the evil is decreasing. All I stated in my last report under this head applies with equal force to the present date, and will continue to apply so long as the law remains as at present. Had the Bill before Parliament last session been passed into law the police would have had a workable instrument. Until some such measure is passed the public must put up with the presence of betting-men in the streets, and the consequent liability, owing to temptation always present, of the earnings of their relatives and friends being diverted from the channels into which such earnings should naturally flow. The municipal authorities of the four principal cities are now passing by-laws with a view of dealing with this evil, and in this they will have the hearty co-operation of the police, but I am by no means sanguine these by-laws will be as effective as anticipated. To rebut the evidence of the constable there will probably be half a dozen friends of the defendant called in his defence, and as the majority of persons engaged in book-making have their own particular idea of the value of an. oath I fear the solitary constable will in most cases be outs worn. I trust, a renewed attempt will be made during the ensuing session of Parliament to pass the before-mentioned Bill into law. Magisterial Comments. Recently there have been several Magisterial comments on the methods adopted by police in obtaining evidence against persons engaged in the sly-grog traffic, and illegal (or what is popularly known as " tote ") betting. In glaring cases of breaches of the law, and where it was impossible to obtain evidence by other means, the police have endeavoured to procure persons to either purchase liquor from the former or make bets with the latter, and in some instances have been successful. These methods a very small minority of the Magistrates have considered it their duty to describe as " dangerous and undesirable." I admit that if evidence could be otherwise obtained the course described should not be resorted to, but I am unable to discover other means, and if the learned gentlemen in question know of other means of obtaining the necessary evidence I should be extremely grateful if they would communicate them to me. The matter simply resolves itself into this : that the police are to stand by and allow wholesale breaches of the law to go on unchecked, although in the case of illegal street-betting the nuisance has become little short of a. crying scandal, or procure evidence in the manner described. So long as none but notorious offenders are by these means brought to justice I prefer to continue on the latter course, and I feel confident

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that, notwithstanding these occasional remarks from the Magisterial Bench, the police will receive the support of the unprejudiced portion of the community. If there was a suspicion even that an attempt had been made to entrap an innocent or ignorant person into breaking the law, then there would be some point in these remarks, but I defy any one to prove that such has been the case, and in the absence of such proof I submit these Magisterial comments are uncalled-for, and can only tend to deter the police from endeavouring to enforce a proper observance of the law and thereby check what is admitted to be a growing evil. I may add that during my upwards of twenty-six years' experience before the London Metropolitan Police-courts the Magistrates presiding at those Courts (amongst whom were the late Sir Thomas Henry, the late Sir James Ingham, the late Mr. Montagu Williams, Sir John Bridge, and Sir James Vaughan) always accepted without comment evidence against notorious offenders obtained in the manner herein described, being careful, however, to see that the practice was not abused by an attempt to entrap an innocent person. If the Magistrates here were to reserve their comments until there was a suggestion that the practice was being abused, then I should have no cause to complain, but the effect of the present what I consider to be uncalled-for remarks is to encourage the law-breaker and discourage the policeman. Second-hand Shops. A large percentage of the property stolen in the colony finds its way into the second-hand shops, the keepers of which places are at present under no obligation to afford police information, and I regret to say but very few voluntarily do so, the result being that thieves find a ready and comparatively safe means of disposing of the proceeds of their depredations. It would undoubtedly be a great public benefit if all second-hand dealers were compelled to conduct their business under license, and to keep a record of all their transactions, such record to be accessible to police at all reasonable times. I find a Bill dealing with this matter was introduced in Parliament in 1896, but was dropped after the first reading. I most strenuously urge that this Bill be reintroduced during the ensuing session, and an effort made to pass it into law. Conduct op Mbmbbes of the Fokce. There has latterly been a decided improvement in the conduct of the men, and this is most noticeable as regards offences relating to drink. During the year four men were convicted of drunkenness, and one for being under the influence of drink, but the last sustained complaint of this nature occurred nearly six months ago. I trust the intemperate members of the Force have now been weeded out, and that drunkenness in future will be of very rare occurrence. The establishment of the increment system of pay in lieu of classes, the granting of lodgingallowance to married men with over three years' service, special allowance to clerks and acting detectives, and accumulative leave have given immense satisfaction to the men. They now fully understand their present position in the service, and realise that their future advancement depends entirely on their good conduct and attention to duty. They are throwing more energy into their work, and are more obedient to their officers. Sub-Inspectobs . The appointment of Sub-Inspectors was authorised on the 31st March last, but as these officers have scarcely yet taken up their positions it is too early for me to pass any opinion upon these appointments. Medical Ofpicbbs. The appointment of four medical officers has been generally appreciated by the men, but the appointments are of too recent date to enable me to speak definitely upon them. Nothing, however, has yet occurred to lead me to doubt the wisdom of the appointments. Training Depot. A training depot was established in December last, and twenty-four men, in two classes, have now been passed through. Six others have, for various reasons, been discharged from the depot during training, or resigned. Those who passed through successfully all applied themselves most assiduously to the work set them, and the training they have undergone will, I am convinced, have a lasting and beneficial effect on them. The cost of establishing this depot was inappreciable. Mount Cook Police-station has been utilised for the purpose, and the training staff drawn from the Force without augmentation thereto. The success of the depot at so little cost to the colony is mainly attributable to the indefatigability of Sergeant O'Donovan, the instructor, who is endowed with a natural aptitude for imparting instruction, and the care and attention shown towards the probationers by Sergeant Briggs, who has charge of Mount Cook Station, and who has taken upon himself the whole of the work in connection with the depot, except the actual training, in addition to his ordinary duties. All probationers while in the depot undergo a course of instruction in first-aid to the injured, and before being passed out are examined by a medical gentleman appointed by the Wellington Centre of the St. John Ambulance Association. " Infant Life Peotection Act, 1896." This Act, which is administered solely by police, has, after two years' trial, been found to work fairly well. These licensed homes are inspected periodically by the police matrons in the four principal cities, and in other places by police officers. With very few exceptions the licensees have complied with the conditions of the law ; the homes have been found clean and tidy, and the infants well looked after. During the year 1898 there were 553 licensed homes throughout the colony, representing 829 infants. Twenty-seven deaths occurred in the licensed homes during the year, an inquest being

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held in each case, but in no instance was wilful neglect or other misconduct on the part of the licensee disclosed. The mortality in the homes was equal to 3257 per thousand. The mortality throughout the colony of infants under four years of age—the age to which the Act applies—for the year was 26 - 92. Considering that a large majority of these infants are illegitimate, and are the offspring of very young mothers; that they have struggled into existence against tremendous odds, their advent being naturally regarded as a curse; that when received into the homes they are, with few exceptions, what may be termed "rickety" infants; that they are all deprived of their natural food (their mother's milk) and have to be reared artificially, I think the mortality compares favourably with that of infants of corresponding age throughout the colony. During the year twenty-four licensees were prosecuted for offences under the Act, sixteen of whom were convicted, and three licenses were cancelled. EXTEA WOEK PEEPOEMED BY POLICE. Frequent complaints are received from the public to the effect that, owing to the numerous other duties the police are called upon to perform, the legitimate police duties are neglected. These complaints were more noticeable while the men were recently engaged compiling the Militia rolls. To carry out above work 266 men were employed, the aggregate number of days engaged being 3,720.

The following is a list of the outside appointments held by police:—

Betibing-allowances and Geatuities. It is futile to attempt to bring the Force into a state of efficiency without some system under which worn-out men can be retired with an allowance for life, unless they are to be cast adrift with one year's pay immediately they become too old for active police duty. I cannot bring myself to the necessary state of callousness to permit me to recommend that men who have faithfully served the colony for perhaps thirty years or over should be so dealt with, nor do I believe it is the wish of the general public that they should be so treated, simply because they have passed the age of efficiency. Consequently many men are now retained in the service who are both mentally and physically unfit. I feel convinced a fund under which retiring-allowances could be granted on the lines indicated in my last report could be established and maintained as follows : (1) A deduction of 5 per cent, from the pay of the men; (2) 50 per cent, of all emoluments received by members of the Force in connection with outside appointments; and (3) a contribution by the Government of an amount, on the retirement of each man, equal to that now paid by the Government as compassionate allowance. To provide a nucleus items (1) and (2) should accumulate for two years before any allowance be granted, all men who might be returned medically unfit during that period to receive as hitherto from the Government a compassionate allowance of one year's pay in the case of sergeants and constables and two years' pay in the case of Inspectors. I would also transfer to this nucleus the amount now standing to the credit of the Police Eeward Fund. The rewards granted from this fund do not give general satisfaction, and, in future, instead of money rewards, being granted, records of merit should be given in cases of meritorious conduct. Taking the pay for the year ended the 31st March last as a basis of calculation, the deduction of 5 per cent, from the pay for two years would realise £8,470. The emoluments from outside offices may, I think, be estimated at £1,300 per annum, 50 per cent, of which would, in two years, contribute to this nucleus £1,300. Add to these two items the amount standing to the credit of the Eeward Fund, £1,683, and the sum of £11,453 is produced, with which to start the fund proposed. The retirements from the Force during the year ended the 31st March last of men who under the scheme I propose would be entitled to retiring-allowance were as follows: Two Inspectors, two sergeants, and five constables. Assuming that these officers had been chargeable to the fund during the whole year —as a matter of fact, they would have been on the fund only about a third of that

Nature of Appointment. Number of Officers holding Appointment. Nature of Appointment. Number of Officers holding Appointment. Bailiffs to Magistrates' and Wardens' Courts Clerks to Magistrates' and Wardeas' Courts.. Clerks to Licensing Committees Clerk to Assessment Court Agents to Publio Trustee Agents, Labour Agent, Charitable Aid Board Inspectors of Faotories Inspectors of Weights and Measures Inspector under Shop-assistants Act Inspectors of Abattoirs, &c. Inspectors of Licensed Vehicles Inspectors under Fisheries Aot Inspectors of Distilleries Inspectors of Nuisances Inspectors of Clubs Inspector, Fire Inspector of Dairies Inspector of Vaooination Deputy Registrars of Old-age Pensions Gaolers .. 116 94 18 1 5 28 1 146 55 1 52 2 25 7 5 7 1 1 1 26 23 Licensing Officers under the Arms Act Officers under Beer Duty Aot Offioers, Probation Officer, Borough Counoil .. .. Rangers under Kauri-gum Industry Act .. Rangers and Poundkeepers Rangers of Crown Lands Ranger of Acclimatisation Society Registrars, Gold-mining Registrars, Births, Deaths, and Marriages .. Registrars of Dogs Registrars of Electors Collectors of Agricultural Statistics Native Interpreter Postmaster Telegraph Linesman Magazine-keepers Receivers of Gold Revenue Oolleotor of County Revenue Sheriff's Officer 40 38 38 1 7 17 2 I U 4 7 3 21 1 1 1 4 14 1 1

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period—the aggregate amount payable to them would have been £1,098 11s. id, The income to the fund upon the year would have been as follows :—■ j 5-per-cent. deduction from pay !■.. ... ... ... £4,235 0 0 50 per cent, from emoluments ... ... ... ... 650 0 0 Amount paid by Government as compassionate allowance to those officers ... ... .'!. ... ... ... 2,768 0 0 Total income ... ... ...£7,653 0 0 T : ■■ Deduct charge on fund ... .?. .. ... ... 1,098 11 1 Balance in favour of fund on. the year ... ... £6,554 8 11 Assuming the fund had been started on the Ist April, 1896, on the lines I have indicated (there would have been on the 31st March last a balance in favour of the fund of £18,007 Bs. lid. At present there are in the Force four Inspectors, two sergeants-major, fourteen sergeants, one detective, and twelve constables (total thirty-three) upwards of fifty-five years of age, and wit,h not less than twenty-five years' service. Under the scheme I propose the whole of these officers would be entitled to retire at once if they so desired. It is, however, extremely unlikely that they would all do so, as in many cases the allowances they would receive would be much less than the maximum to which they would be entitled by remaining a few years longer. Assuming the whole were to retire the total annual charge on the fund in respect to these men would be £4,067 4s. 10d. The annual income to the fund from the deductions from pay and emoluments alone would be £4,885, thus leaving an annual balance in favour of the fund of £817 15s 2d., in addition to which there would be £8,556 7s. 6d. to receive from the Government as compassionate allowance in respect to the thirty-three officers. '** I think the foregoing figures clearly demonstrate that a retiring fund could be established and maintained without any additional cost whateyer to the public, and, as the men are practically unanimous nrasking for such a fund, I submit it is an injustice to deny them what they are themselves prepared to pay for. Instead of the colony being a loser by this scheme, it would, in fact, eventually be a gainer, as, unless something of the kind is established, many of the men will, on attaining the age of sixty-five, come under thp Old-age Pensions Act, and thus be a direct additional charge to the colony. •-■ ■»,..., I have no doubt those who are opposed to retiring-allowances or pensions , on principle will use as an argument against this proposal that it would be unfair to grant this' to the police and withhold it from the Civil servants. I submit there is no comparison whatever between the two bodies. Civil servants, with very few exceptions indeed, perform their daily seven hours' work inside comfortable offices; they have to themselves half-day on Saturdays, the whole of each Sunday, and all holidays; they are not prevented from augmenting their incomes by private means, and run no risk of bodily injury. On the other hand, the policeman has to perform at least eight hours' duty in the streets in all weathers, night and day, Sunday, week-day, and holiday; he is always liable to injury to life and ! limb at the hands of drunken, violent, and insane persons, or criminals; he has to devote the whole of his time to the service, and his wife is not permitted to conduct any business. Possibly actuarial figures will be obtained by opponents and used against this proposal. These actuarial figures are invariably compiled by those connected with life assurance offices, and in making their calculations all " establishment " expenses have to be taken into account. As these companies have to pay a host of directors, clerks, agents, &c, as well as dividends on huge capitals, and as this fund will be managed entirely free of cost, it will be se r en that here again there is no comparison. Then, again, this fund will deal exclusively with police officers, who, owing to their occupation, are not noted for longevity, whereas the assurance offices deal with all classes of the. community. It is impossible in this report to go into the full details of the scheme, but I recommend the following be embodied in a Bill to be laid before Parliament, and to be called " The Police Provident Fund Enabling Bill " : — 1. The fund to be called the Police Provident Fund. 2. Every member of the Force beneath the rank of Commissioner to belong to the fund, and contribute towards the same in the manner before named. 3. Every officer with less than five years' service returned as medically unfit shall, on retirement, be repaid the amount deducted from his pay during the time he was in the service. 4. Every officer with not less than five years' service nor more than fifteen years' service returned medically unfit to receive a gratuity of one month's pay for each year's service completed, the maximum amount so received not to exceed twelve months' pay. 5. Every officer with not less than fifteen years' service returned medically unfit to receive an allowance for life of one-fiftieth of his pay for each year's service completed up to thirty-fiftieths of his pay, which shall be the maximum. 6. Any officer with not less than twenty-five years' service, and who is upwards of fifty-five years of age, shall be entitled to retire without medical certificate on giving three months' notice of his desire so to do, and shall receive the allowance for life to which his service entitles him. 7. The case of every officer who is returned medically unfit for further service owing to injuries received in the execution of his duty to be specially considered by those administering the Act, and he may be granted an allowance for life not to exceed three-fifths of his pay. ' 8. Should any officer die from injuries received in the execution of his duty, an allowance of not more than £18 per annum may be given to his widow (should he leave one), so long as she remains a widow, and a further compassionate allowance of not more than ss. per week to each of his children until they attain the age of fourteen years.

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9. Any officer granted a life-allowance who may at the time of his retirement wish to commute same may be permitted to do so, and shall receive in lieu thereof a sum equal to the total amount that has been deducted from his pay while in the service. 10. The total amount deducted from the pay of any officer who may die in the service not from injuries received in the execution of his duty shall be paid to that officer's next-of-kin. 11. Any officer with not less than ten years' service nor more than twenty-five years' service who may voluntarily resign from the service shall be repaid an amount equal to three-fourths of the amount deducted from his pay. 12. Any officer who is dismissed from the service, or whose services are otherwise dispensed with for misconduct, may be repaid an amount equal to one-half of the amount deducted from his pay. 13. Should any officer who has been retired on a life-allowance die before he has drawn in the way of such allowance a sum equal to the amount deducted from his pay while serving, the difference shall be paid to his next-of-kin. 14. All gratuities or life-allowances to be based on the amount of pay received by the officer at the time of his retirement, unless such officer has within five years prior to his retirement served in any rank beneath that held by him at the time of his retirement, in which case the gratuity or life-allowance shall be based on the average amount of pay received during the last seven years of his service. 15. All life-allowances to be forfeited should the recipient be convicted on indictment. 16. The fund to be administered by a Board consisting of the Minister at the head of the department, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Commissioner of Police, whose decision's shall be final. Inspectok's Bepokt. Extracts from the annual reports from the Inspectors in charge of districts are annexed. They contain nothing calling for special mention. Distbicts. As recommended in my last report, the headquarters of the Wanganui and West Coast district were changed on the Ist January last from New Plymouth to Wanganui, and the Palmerston North sub-district was on same date transferred from the Wellington district to the Wanganui district These changes are working well. Stations. New stations have been erected during the year at Manaia, Opunake, and Te Kuiti, and new gaoler's quarters at Clyde. New stations are now in course of erection at Auckland, Cambridge, and Mokau; new quarters for constable at Thames; and new cells, mess-room, and cook's kitchen at Lambton Quay, Wellington. A new station is about to be commenced at Arrowtown, and new cells, &c, at Christchurch. Extensive repairs, additions, &c, have been carried out at many stations throughout the colony. Unipobm. In my last report I recommended that uniform should be supplied to the men free of cost. This recommendation was not adopted, I believe, on the ground of expense. If that was so I now recommend that a portion be supplied—namely, shakos or helmets (the latter for preference), overcoats, and waterproofs. The above articles can be supplied in stock sizes through the Defence Stores, and do not need making up and fitting by a tailor. The Victorian police are, I understand, supplied with above articles by the Government. The approximate annual cost to the Government by adopting above recommendation would be £950. Cost op Police, etc. A return is hereto annexed showing the proportion of police to population, and cost of police per inhabitant, in each of the Australasian Colonies (except Tasmania, which owing to decentralisation, cannot be obtained), from which it will be seen that New Zealand is still much beneath either of the other colonies. Strength, Distbibution, and Casualties. Eeturns are also annexed showing the strength and distribution of the Force on the 31st March last, and the casualties that occurred in the Force during the year ended the 31st March last. ■ I have, &c, J. B. TUNBBIDGE, Commissioner.

EXTEACTS PEOM ANNUAL EEPOBTS OF OFFICEES IN CHAEGE OP DISTEICTS.

Inspector J. Cullbn, Auckland, Waikato.and Bay op Islands. New stations have been opened during the year at Poro-o-tarao and Te Kuiti, both in the King-country. Soon after these stations were opened the constables in charge of them succeeded in obtaining convictions for sly-grog selling against several noted King-country sly-grog sellers, and this has had the effect of checking sly-grog selling in that part of the King-country for the present at any rate. A matter which seriously affected the peace of the northern part of the district, and endangered life and property there, was the Native disturbance in the Hokianga district in May last, when a large number of Natives assembled under arms for the purpose of resisting the collection of the

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8

dog-tax from them. Their attitude became so threatening, and created so much alarm, that a force of Permanent Artillery and police had to be sent to arrest the ringleaders, who were subsequently convicted at the Supreme Court, and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment. . The crime of theft is very prevalent among boys and young men in Auckland. At the present time there are ten young men and boys, whose ages range from fifteen to twenty, who are awaiting trial at the Supreme Court on charges of housebreaking, theft, and forgery. There is urgent need of a law to compel second-hand dealers to be licensed in the same way as pawnbrokers are now licensed. The latter, before they can obtain licenses, must be recommended by at least five householders, as well as the local officer of police. They are also bound to keep proper books, which are always open to police inspection, and have to pay an annual license-fee of £10. The second-hand dealer, on the other hand, is subject to no such restrictions, and has to pay no fee, and may be one of the worst criminals in the community. Many of those dealers are noted receivers of stolen goods, and it is a well-known fact that most of the stolen property that gets into their hands is never recovered by the police. Compelling them to obtain licenses and keep proper books, which should be open to police inspection, would greatly assist in the prevention and detection of the crime of theft. The granting of Is. per diem as lodging-allowance to married constables of over three years' service, and a similar daily allowance to plain-clothes constables and police clerks, appears to have given satisfaction throughout this district. The abolition of class rank, and the substitution of payment by increment, has also given great satisfaction to the members of the Force of all ranks. The appointment of a police surgeon is another matter that has given satisfaction to the Auckland City and suburban men, who appear to be well pleased with the gentleman appointed to* the above position. The want of a pension system is keenly felt by men of all ranks. Every man in the service is, I believe, quite willing to contribute a fair percentage of his salary towards the maintenance of a pension fund, wkich would make provision for members of the Force who, through age or impaired health, would be no longer fit for service. There are.many men at present in the service who are unfit for active work owing to impaired health or advanced age, and who would retire immediately if they could obtain a small pension, but as they have nothing to look forward to on leaving the service except the usual year's salary as compensation they prefer to remain in the service as long as they can. A pension system would soon get rid of these men, and their places would be filled by younger and more active men. The present system of compelling the men to provide their own uniform is anything but satisfactory, as the clothing they wear on duty is anything but uniform except in name. When the rrien fall in on parade one man appears in a new jumper and a half-worn and faded trousers and shako, while the men on either side of him may have new trousers and shako and a half-worn faded jumper. The appearance of a number of men on parade dressed as, above described is anything but smart or tidy-looking. The number of promotions in the service during the past fifteen months has had the effect of infusing a new spirit into all the good men in the Force, who now begin to realise that they have advancement to look forward to so long as they perform their duties in a conscientious, straightforward, and intelligent manner.

Inspector F. McGovekn, Napier and East Coast. The annual offences return discloses the fact that 1,375 offences were reported during the year 1898, as against 1,242 in 1897, an increase of 133 cases for last year, Six serious crimes against the person were reported, two individuals being charged with causing the death of two infants, which were not proceeded with in the Magistrate's Court, an analysis having failed to trace poison in the bodies of the infants. In another case a Maori tohunga was charged with causing the death of another Maori in the Poverty Bay sub-district by such absurd and violent means as resulted in the death of the sick person under treatment. This case was sent for trial, but was thrown out in the Supreme Court. In the other instance a settler named Scott, living at Motu —a small settlement about sixty-five miles from Gisborne-—was murdered in a cold-blooded way. After the lapse of a few days another settler of the same place committed suicide, and police ■ inquiry resulted in sufficient evidence being obtained to point to this settler as being the murderer. The police engaged in this case had a very rough task on account of the isolated and very rough nature of the country, both bodies having to be brought down a considerable distance on pack-horses for an inquest to be held. The other offences are -of the average class and number. The largest increase is in that for drunkenness, 105 cases more than in 1897. I arrived in Napier on transfer from New Plymouth on the 11th January last, and assumed charge of the Napier and Bast Coast district the following day, taking over charge from Inspector Emerson, whom I found confined to his bed dangerously ill. I found everything connected with the station in perfect order. Two sub-districts have been formed —namely, Bay of Plenty and Dannevirke. The Poverty Bay sub-district has existed for some time past. These places are each worked under a sergeant with a number of stations under each control. The arrangement appears to answer admirably, and assists the Inspector to a great extent in the discharge of his duty.

Inspector E. J. Gillies, Wanganui and West Coast. Sly-grog selling has been carried on to some extent in the outlying portions of, the district — namely, Mokau, Eaetihi, Moawhango, and Meremere, but owing to the vigorous action which has of late been taken by the police, and the substantial penalties imposed, I hope that sly-grog selling will soon be a thing of the past in this district,

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The new scale of pay has given great satisfaction to the men, and I have no doubt will be a stimulus to increased energy and zeal in the discharge of their duties. A number of the police in this district are discharging the duties of Clerk of Court, bailiff, and various outside appointments, but in view of the rapid increase of settlement and population, and consequently increased work, I anticipate that it will be found necessary in the near future to either increase the number of police in this district or relieve the present members of the Force of a considerable amount of the outside duties in question, in order to have them effectually performed. These remarks apply particularly to Patea, Stratford, Eltham, and Feilding Police-stations. I consider the conduct of the members of the Force as a whole has been good, and the numerous duties have been faithfully performed.

Inspectob P. Pendee, Wellington and Maelbobough. The casualties during the year have been—Three constables resigned and one constable discharged. The conduct of the men has been good, and the punishments very few. The offences return for the year 1898 shows an increase of offences reported as compared with 1897 of 457, the numbers respectively being 3,975 and 3,518. Drunkenness contributes 131 of this increase, the remainder being divided amongst various offences, including breaches of the Gaming Act, false pretences, &c. There is a decrease in the number of cases of burglary, breaches of the peace, obstructing police, vagrancy, and receiving stolen property. There was one case of childmurder acquitted, and three cases of attempt to murder. The increase in the number of cases of crime reported is, in my opinion, partly attributable to the increase of population, the influx of the criminal classes from other parts of New Zealand and Australia, attracted here by the increased prosperity of the place. There has been a marked improvement in the conduct of the licensed houses (hotels) during the year, which no doubt is due to a more strict enforcement of the Licensing Acts. The new regulation granting house-allowance to married members of the Force has removed a long-standing grievance, and the improved scale respecting pay has had an excellent effect on the efficiency of the Force in this district, but a pension scheme is much required. The detectives have been fairly successful in dealing with crime, but this branch of the department still requires improvement. With respect to the training depot established at Mount Cook during the year 1898, I beg to report that the work there has been carried out very satisfactorily. The system of instruction, including drill, imparted to the probationers is excellent in every respect. One squad of probationers (with the exception of one man discharged as unsuitable) have undergone their two months' training, and on passing the necessary examination were transferred to different parts of the colony for duty. A fresh squad of twelve men is now at the depot under instruction—one was discharged as unfit for the Force. They are making very satisfactory progress in a knowledge of their duties, and will soon be ready for duty where required. In consequence of the limited accommodation available at Mount Cook, not more than about a dozen men can be in training at one time, and the results which must follow such an excellent system of police instruction may not therefore be observable on the Force generally for some time.

Inspectob J. W. Ellison, Nelson and Westland. As regards crime, it will be observed from the offences return there has been a net decrease of ninety-three offences, including forty-three of drunkenness and three of murder. Sly-grog-selling cases decreased by three. This illegal traffic is carried on in some isolated places, but the trade done is on a limited scale. It shall, however, receive due attention. I have visited as many stations as other pressing duties and the limited time at my disposal would permit, and, so far as I can judge, I believe the new regulations regarding pay and periodical increments have had a most beneficial effect, and will prove an advantage to the department. A more contented feeling is prevalent, and therefore increased zeal, vigilance, and carefulness mustbe expected to follow. The rent-allowance made to married constables is also much appreciated. All members of the Force appear to understand that good conduct and length of service carry their own reward, whilst the additional hope of promotion is open to those who, by assiduity and ability, show themselves to be fitted for advancement.

Inspector T. Beoham, Cheistohuech and Noeth Otago. The return of crime for the year ended the 31st December, 1898, forwarded to your office on the 24th January last shows that during that year 3,128 offences of various kinds were reported to the police, as against 2,899 cases reported during 1897, while 2,869 persons were either taken into custody or proceeded against by summons for various offences. Of these, the most numerous were the arrests for drunkenness, for which 1,120 persons were apprehended, as against 1,012 for 1897. Sixty-eight industrial-school boys absconded during the year, as against a similar number for 1897. A large number of the cases of breaking and entering houses and stealing therefrom were committed by industrial-school boys, who frequently escape from the school in groups of three and four together, and continue robbing and pilfering until arrested by the police, and again returned to Burnham. 2—H, 16.

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A marked improvement has taken place in the city with regard to Sunday-trading by publicans. Though the law is very imperfect, and urgently requires amendment in the direction of making it an offence for persons to be found in hotels on Sundays unless they are bond fide lodgers or travellers, yet it is safe to state that in no city in the colonies is the law more carefully observed than in Christchurch. A large portion of the men's time was taken up during the year in collecting the Militia roll, which in this district alone numbered some twenty thousand. Twenty-two years ago the strength of the Christchurch police was fifty men of all ranks ; now, with at least double the population, the entire strength is forty-three of all ranks. It affords me great pleasure to note that married constables have been granted Is. a day as house-allowance, and that a medical man has at length been appointed here to attend the police. Were the police now entitled to pensions in their old age, as is the case in all parts of Her Majesty's dominions outside New Zealand, the men would have something to look forward to, and the stagnation which has been the bane of the Force for many years past, owing to the large number of old men kept in the service, would be at once and for ever removed. The newly appointed constables lately sent here from Wellington in point of physique and character also are a decided improvement upon the class of men formerly sent.

Inspector W. S. Paedy, Otago, Southland, and Lakes. A number of successful prosecutions in sly-grog cases have taken place in the Clutha district, also in other parts of the district As regards Clutha, there is such odium attached to persons giving evidence in these cases that it is with the greatest difficulty that any one can be got to do so. Quite a revival in mining has taken place throughout the district, thus considerably increasing the population ; but there has been no increase in the police in this district, the result being that police duties cannot be so succesfully carried out as they ought to be, more especially seeing that so much of the time of the men is taken up by duties outside of their police-work. An increase at the, central station, Dunedin, is urgently required, as at the present time 1 am always short-handed owing to the number of men away on escort duty, relieving duty and supplementing country stations, sickness, and other causes. The conduct of the sergeants and constables has been good with few exceptions, and have performed their duties in a satisfactory manner.

10

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Return showing the Number of Offences reported, Persons apprehended, and Comparison of Crime during the Year ending 31st December, 1897, and Year ending 31st December, 1898.

11

1897. 1898. Offences. Hi O III §2» •3 01 Persons apprehended or summoned. Committed for Trial. Summarily Convicted. Discharged. Number of ~ 'tind Convictions o M 0 0 £> p3>t3 a amongst Sags those 5%%Z committed S for Trial. £ *8 M. F. ai jj> M. ¥. M. P. M. F. Abandoning children Abduction Abortion, procuring Absconding from apprenticeship Absconding from bail .. Absconding from industrial schools Abusive and threatening language Armed, with felonious intent Arson Arson, attempted Assaults, common Assaults, indecent A Assaults occasioning bodily harm Assaults on bailiffs Assaults on police Assaults and robbery Attempts to commit felony Bankruptcy offences Being in possession of housebreaking implements Begging Bestiality Bigamy Breaches of the peace Broaching cargo Bribery, attempted Burglary, breaking into shops, dwellings, &c. Carnally knowing girls Carnally knowing, attempted .. Cattle- and horse-stealing (see Theft). Cattle-maiming Coinage offences Concealment of birth Conspiring to defraud Conspiring to murder Conspiring to defeat the course of justice Contempt of Court Cruelty to animals Cruelty to children Cutting and wounding Damaging police uniform Defacing brands on stock Deserting and failing to provide for wives and children Deserters and stragglers from H.M. ships Deserting merchant vessels Discharging firearms Disobeying orders on board ships 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 Drunkenness Embezzlement Escaping from custody Escaping from lunatic asylums.. Failing to support parents and near relatives False declarations False pretences Falsifying a share-register Fish, illegally taking Forcible entry Forgery and uttering Fortune-telling Furious riding and driving Game, illegally shooting Gaming offences Illegally on premises 2 3 7 2 3 85 271 3 24 13 819 42 38 4 70 30 2 16 3 2 1 2 3 2 87 299 1 29 13 741 43 60 2 111 32 1 18 3 1 7 1 16 29 1 2 67 180 1 1 436 6 9 8 19 33 1 1 3 84 2 2 235 17 19 15 3 2 28 1 1 2 3 2 75 298 1 13 4 733 39 59 2 111 26 1 18 3 4 1 8 17 1 2 28 5 2 5 1 2 78 1 1 1 22 '2 5 y 8 22 93 1 1 1 2 9 3 1 "l 15 41 2 1 9 *7 1 1 4 2 12 3 17 2 3 296 1 1 2 12 2 1 3 17 2 3 296 "l 1 5 'i 284 4 2 238 14 39 3 '2 8 12 4 1 335 1 80 1 175 1 60 395 4 49 7 32 3 51 1 18 2 16 1 15 1 15 1 2 1 2 1 • 3 7 1 1 4 13 3 3 5 2 i 2 i 1 3 1 5 1 3 5 2 1 10 2 4 4 3 2 4 24 19 5 24 18 24 1 112 5 8 46 2 180 7 2 40 % 403 1 2 i 1 139 3 34 2 227 i 2 2 1 38 4 i 2 179 7 2 . 40 2 379 "l 2 i 1 68 2 6 6 337 i 6 133 12 66 88 101 46 5 51 13 36 9 50 376 42 22 46 436 23 19 31 291 13 3 15 122 36 22 46 418 6 13 4 4 i GO 3 3 3 3 287 4 4 80 278 3 2 85 216 1 1 67 13 37 4 270 1 2 85 14 1 2 1 18 5 5,204 3 5 12 275 5,532 2 6 10 220 4,717 1 3 10 144 740 56 1 1 17 5,530 2 6 10 219 328 i 2 "l 1 •2 55 1 68 6 2 170 3 66 8 186 1 29 1 79 *8 6 36 1 2 8 155 24 i 6 16 14 9 94 2 60 43 171 133 14 14 9 74 2 60 43 170 133 8 52 71 3 58 42 55 64 85 1 1 1 48 38 139 81 9 6 1 '60 i 9 23 1 i i 7 12 5 26 45 4 2 1 116 69

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Return showing the Number of Offences reported, Persons apprehended, and Comparison of Crime during the Year ending 31st December, 1897, and Year ending 31st December, 1898— continued.

12

1897. 1898. Offences. m Persons a] Committed for Trial. iprehended or summoned. " _O ffl O <D ag'gg Spa Pig Number of Convictions amongst those committed for Trial. Summarily DisConvicted. charged. 6 I a i I p "o JVI. F. M. F. M. F. M. P. Indecent exposure or behaviour Intimidation Keeping disorderly houses and brothels Killing animals with intent to steal the carcases Libel Lunacy Malicious injury to property Maliciously killing animals Manslaughter Murder Murder, attempted Neglected and criminal children Obscene and profane language .. Obstructing and resisting police Obstructing Customs officers Obstructing railway-lines Obstructing railway officers Obstructing thoroughfares Perjury Personating electors Prison offences (loitering about, and communicating with prisoners) Prize-fighting.. Rape Rape, attempted Rape, aiding to commit Receiving stolen property Eefusing to quit licensed premises Rescuing cattle from being impounded Sacrilege Sheep, unlawfully shooting Sheep-stealing (see Theft). Seals, illegally taking Selling arms to Natives without license Shooting with intent Sly-grog selling Smuggling Sodomy Sodomy, attempted Soliciting prostitution Stone-throwing Stowing away on board ships Suicide, attempted Sureties of the peace Theft (undescribed) Theft as a bailee Theft, attempted Theft' of children Theft of cattle and horses Theft of dogs Theft of pigs Theft of sheep Theft from dwellings Theft from the person Thefti of post-letters ..! Theft: by servants ..: Threatening letters .J Threatening to shoot Travelling by rail and refusing to pay fares Treaspn Trespass Unlawfully felling timber Unlawful assembly Vagrancy 96 1 21 1 3 415 474 1 6 12 5 128 409 141 12 6 45 16 4 11 12 2 7 46 42 31 2 4 6 13 1 27 50 30 3 1 112 25 1 3 425 448 4 4 11 5 171 421 133 1 18 12 51 12 1 5 8 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 4 4 2 1 242 300 3 80 289 107 1 18 11 43 2 4 1 12 39 20 75 6 3 1 7 12 127 19 68 67 3 1 1 4 8 10 8 26 2 1 45 80 2 11 55 21 1 7 4 2 5 11 4 3 9 8 1 1 3 2 4 6 12 1 27 50 30 1 3 18 111 '25 3 425 411 4 4 9 5 171 419 131 1 18 12 51 11 1 1 2 4 2 3 3 1 1 1 10 3 43 12 1 6 6 6 4 6 1 8 1 1 16 4 1 26 2 1 8 4 4 10 8 19 1 2 3 18 14 3 4 i4 1 18 6 151 10 1 2 17 85 35 26 53 2,122 1 6 3 69 2 10 21 279 133 10 9 5 1 18 3 92 5 2 2 17 150 57 38 81 2,273 8 6 1 88 10 7 22 425 151 9 26 2 2 19 1 1 6 127 6 1 2 4 38 4 111 55 3 31 860 1 3 20 15 5 13 81 2 20 1 1 32 2 16 32 267 1 1 1 16 3 3 7 32 12 1 2 10 2 6 5 34. 2 88 5 1 2 17 150 57 38 81 1,373 8 5 1 46 3 5 14 266 77 7 23 2 2 19 1 2 84 6 3 1 65 22 12 28 151 7 3 59 5 2 Oft 2 19 1 19 8 2 7 31 33 6 9 1 1 1 5 25 23 2 9 1 146 18 3 3 1 171 22 28 4 1 5 3 1 12 1 1 14 17 1 1 3 5 1 1 192 16 153 5 16 370 16 16 105 1 3 39 4 1 16 148 5 16 369 16 16 5 16 19 39 351 203 86 51 29 Totals 15,219 16,378 651 26 10,374 1,444 1,984 251 14,730 440 17 513 1672 Inc 1159

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Return showing the Strength and Distribution of the New Zealand Police Force on the 31st March, 1899.

13

1 Stations. § ft i—i hCD 02 05 tn a a o Is CM 3 o EH 23 ; h ■J-, !; H o o t& CD "I I d 03 a o tit h p Stations. I o • s ■So S HI I Is I 3 i a <& o CO i d a o O I b a a o H - '-+3 ce ipfi U) 01 oJ (O 5§*§ 3 03 a o o u 0 Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Islands— Auckland .. 1 Aratapu .. Avondale .. Cambridge .. Coromandel .. Dargaville f.. Devonport .. Eden Terrace .. Freeman's Bay .. Hamilton .. Helensville .. Hikurangi .. Howick •. Huntly .. Kaikohe .. .. Karangahake .. .. Kawakawa .. Kawhia .. Kihikihi .. .. Mangawai .. Mangonui .. Mercer .. Newmarket .. Newton .. .. Ngamawahia .. Ohaeawai .. Okupu.Gt. Barrier .. Onehunga .. Otahuhu .. Otorohanga .. Paeroa • ■ Pahi .. .. Panmure .... Papakura .. Parnell .. Ponsonby .. .. Poro-o-tarao .. Port Albert .. Pukekohe .. .. Raglan .. Rawene .. .. Russell .. Shortland .. Surrey Hills .. .. Te Aroha .. .. Te Awamutu .. Te Kuiti .. Thames .. Waihi .. Waipu .. Waitekauri .. Waiuku .. .. Warkworth .. Whangarei .. Whangaroa .. Whitianga .. i 1 3 1 i i i' 36 1 1 1 2 1 1 O 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 o 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 45 1 1 1 Q M 1 Q o 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 q i 2 i i i i 1 i i 'i i 1 1 1 Napier and East Coast— contd. Te Whaiti Tokaanu Tolaga Bay Tuparoa Waikaremoana .. Waipawa Waipiro Waipukurau Wairoa Whakatane Woodville Totals Wanganui and West Coast — Wanganui Ashhurst Bull's Eltham Feilding Foxtuii Hawera Hunterville Inglewood Manaia Mangaweka Marton Moawhango Mokau New Plymouth .. Normanby Ohingaifci Opunake Palmerston North Patea ■ .. Pungarehu Raetihi Stratford Terrace End (Palmerston N.) .. Waitara Waitotara Waverley i 1 4 1 1 1 'a i 2 1 1 39 8 1 1 I •1 1 2 1 1 I 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 2 1 2 i 2! 1 1 45 10 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 5 1 1 1 6 1 1 1 2 1 i 1 1 3 i' i 4 1 i i 1 2 o i i 1 O Q 1 i i i i i i i i i i i c 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7 1 1 1 i i" 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Totals 1 1 3 43 1 49 i 1 Wellington and Marlborough— Wellington Clyde Quay Mariners Street .. Mount Cook Ditto Training Depot Thorndon Quay .. Wellington South Carterton Eketahuna Featherston Greytown North Johnsonville Levin Lower Hutt Makuri Mangatainoka .. Martinborough .. Masterton Otaki Pahiatua Petone Tenui Upper Hutt Blenheim Cullensville Havelock Picton " i 1 * * • • 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ..I l ■ ■ 1 1 4 33 1 2 8 3 42 1 2 9 I 1 12 13 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Totals .. 1 Napier and East Coast— Napier .. 1 Oarlyle Street .. Olive .. .. Dannevirke .. .. Gisborne .. Hastings .. Herbertville .. Katikati .. Opotiki .. Ormond .. Ormondville .. Port Awanui .. Rotorua .. Spit .. Taradale .. Taupo .. Tauranga .. Te Puke .. 1 1 9 92 C 108 9 3 1 1 i 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ■'• 1 1 8 1 1 1 K i_ C 1 1 11 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 4 1 1 1 1 1 5 i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 i i 1 1 2 1 2 i i Totals j 3 12 3 i 1 1 i 7 71 96

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

14

a ■ a 2 ! 3.° P to a 3 Sr a O o 1C Q u p h o |g 3 o { * 'Is Q§ o II to P o h I DO g g U P 03 Stations. § 83 Hi I 1 f I O n [3 o H +3 <O II to w °3 CO II "I 0 O o IB I Stations. felson and Westland — Greymouth Ahaura Brunnerton Charleston Collingwood Denniston Hokitika Kanieri Kumara Lyell Motueka Nelson Okarito Beefton Richmond Eoss Seddonville Spring Grove Stafford Takaka The Port Westport 1 1 5 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 7 1 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 Canterbury and N'rth Otago— contd. Timaru Waimate Woolston 1 8 2 1 9 2 1 Totals 1 1 9 92 4 107 1 1 1 Totals anterbury and North Otago— Christchurch Addington Akaroa Amberley Ashburton Bingsland Cheviot Coalgate Culverden Pairlie Geraldine Hampden Kaiapoi Kaikoura Kurow Leeston Lincoln Linwood Little River Lyttelton Methven Ngapara Oamaru Oxford Papanui Phillipstown Pleasant Point .. Eakaia Eangiora St. Albans Sheffield Southbridgo Sumner Sydenham Temuka 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 5 3 1 6 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 34 1 a i 5 J 7 1 3 1 A 1 1 1 1 4 40 41 1 2 1 (i 1 1 1 2 1 ■■ I. .. 1 Dunedin, Southland, and Lakes — Dunedin, Central King Street Alexandra South Anderson's Bay .. Arrowtown Balclutha Blufl Broad Bay Caversham Clinton Clyde Cromwell Gore Green Island Half-moon Bay .. Inveroargill Kaitangata Lawrence Lumsden Mataura Middlemaroh Milton Mornington Mosgiel Naseby North-east Valley North Inveroargill Ophir Orepuki Otautau Outram Palmerston South Pembroke Port Chalmers .. Queenstown Eavensbourne .. Biverton Boslyn Roxburgh St. Bathan's St. Clair South Dunedin .. South Inveroargill Tapanui Waikaia Waikouaiti Waitahuna Waitati Winton Woodhaugh Wyndham 1 1 4 1 i i i 2 1 28 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 8 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 35 5 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 10 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 5 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 '2 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 6 1 1 1 1 I 1 1 1 1 1 I i 1 1 1 •1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 5 1 1 7 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 Totals J 1 14 92 1 109 2 1 1 1 7 4 2 51 463 15 20 4 4 Grand Totals.. 12 554 7

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15

Return showing Casualties in the New Zealand Police Force during the Year ended 31st March, 1899. Eetired on compensation .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 Resignations .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 Dismissals .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 Deaths .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Betransferred to Permanent Militia .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Services dispensed with .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 34

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

Note.—Populations are taken from official estimates as on 31st December, 1898.

Approximate Coat of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,725 oop es), £13 os. 6d.

By Autbority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB99. Pries 6d.]

Place. Pr ToUoe n ° f Cost of Police to Population. Per Inhabitant. Remarks. 1 to 1,414 s. d. 2 9J Number of police, 554; net expenditure (vide Appropriation Account for year ended 31st March, 1899), £108,627 6s. 2d. Population, 783,317 (including Maoris). Vide Appropriation of Revenue, 1898-99—viz.: Number of police, 1,415 ; vote, £257,777. Population, 1,175,490. Vide Estimates of Expenditure, 1898-99—viz.: Number of police, 1,887 (exclusive of 70 Native trackers) ; vote, £346,987. Population, 1,346,240. Vide Estimates of Expenditure for Year ending 30th June, 1899—viz. : Number of police, 345 ; vote, £76,131. Population, 367,800. Vide Estimates of Expenditure for 1898-99—viz.: Number of police, 871 (exclusive of 10 supernumeraries and 120 Native trackers); vote, £172,478. Population, 498,533. Vide Estimates of Expenditure for Year ending 30th June, 1899 —viz. : Number of police, 447; vote, £109,507. Population, 168,129. lew Zealand Victoria .. 1 to 830 4 4J >[ew South Wales .. 1 to 713 5 1| South Australia 1 to 1,066 4 1* Queensland 1 to 572 t 6 11 iVestern Australia .. 1 to 376 13 0J