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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1900 Session I, H-16

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1900. 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, 4th June, 1900. 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 op Force. On the 31st March last the strength of the Force was 586 of all ranks, being an increase of 32 during the year. The total is made up as follows : Inspectors, 6; Sub-Inspectors, 5 ; sergeantsmajor, 2 ; sergeants, 54 ; constables, 487; detectives, 20; and probationers, 12. In addition to above there were 4 police surgeons, 4 matrons, 19 district constables, 7 native constables, and 96 horses. Stations. New stations have been formed at Ellerslie, Northcote, Aramoho, Kimbolton, Belfast, Glenavy, New Brighton (temporarily), and Owaka, and a district constable has been appointed at Hobsonville. Augmentations . Augmentations have been made at: Auckland, 4 ; Newton, 2; Waihi, 1; Whangarei, 1; Wanganui, 1; Foxton, 1 ; New Plymouth, 1; Palmerston North, 1; Wellington, 2 ; Mount Cook, 1; Pahiatua, 1; and Petone, 1. Casualties. The casualties have been : Betired on medical grounds with compensation, 7 ; retired under the Police Provident Fund Act, 2 ; resigned, 11 ; dismissed, 3; died, 4 ; transferred to Justice Department, 1; and services dispensed with, 2 : total, 30. This is four less than in 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 487 as compared with the figures of the preceding year. The principal increases are : Assaults, common, 47 ; breaches of the peace, 64; deserting merchant vessels, 66 ; disorderly and riotous conduct, 47; drunkenness, 757 ; failing to support parents or near relatives, 42; false declarations, 40 ; false pretences, 22; gaming offences, 49; indecent exposure or behaviour, 35 ; keeping disorderly houses or brothels, 18 ; killing animals with intent to steal the carcases, 14 ; maliciously killing animals, 13; manslaughter, 6; obscene and profane language, 67 ; obstructing and resisting police, 62 ; obstructing thoroughfares, 41; refusing to quit licensed premises, 22 ; and theft of sheep, 14. The principal decreases are : Absconding from industrial schools, 19 ; burglary, breaking into shops, dwellings, &c, 13; conspiring to defeat the ends of justice, 24; deserters and stragglers from H.M. ships, 32; disturbing meetings and congregations, 32 ; forgery and uttering, 15; illegally on premises, 30 ; malicious injury to property, 69 ; receiving stolen property, 14 ; selling arms to Natives without license, 17 ; stowing away on board ships, 19 ; sureties of the peace, 15; theft, undescribed, 485; theft of cattle and horses, 16 ; theft from dwellings, 83 ; and theft from the person, 63. Bemarks on Criminal Statistics. Taking the statistics as a criterion of the efficiency or otherwise of the Police Force, as compared with the preceding year I consider them eminently satisfactory, for whereas the increases refer almost exclusively to offences against the person or against public order and decency—which are classed as unpreventible offences —the decreases relate mainly to offences against property, which are considered preventible, the net decrease in offences coming under the heads of " burglary,"

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"breaking into shops and dwellings," "forgery and uttering," "malicious injury to property," " receiving stolen property," and various forms of theft being no less than 732, thus showing that during the year under review the primary object for which a Police Force exists—namely, the prevention of crime—has been much more nearly attained than in the preceding year. As a detective force there has also been an improvement on the preceding year, as the following will demonstrate: For offences against property alone the percentage of cases brought before the Court to the total number committed increased from 64-62 in 1898 to 68-19 in 1899 ; for offences against the person, the percentage increased from 9765 in 1898 to 98-01 in 1899; and for all offences, from 89-93 in 1898 to 9213 in 1899. Drunkenness, Sunday Trading, etc. The increase in the number of charges of drunkenness during the year has far exceeded that of any previous year so far as the records show. The total during the year was 6,289, being 757 over the figures of 1898. So far as the four principal centres are concerned, Auckland stands at the top, with a total of 1,145 cases, against 697 in 1898; Wellington next, 855, against 953; Christchurch next, with 568, against 583; and Dunedin last, with 535, against 597. From the foregoing it will be seen that out of a total increase of 757, Auckland and suburbs alone contribute 448. This large increase in Auckland is, in my opinion, largely due to the increased efforts of the Auckland police, under Inspector Cullen, to more expeditiously remove drunken persons from the streets than was formerly the case, and to the fact that during the whole of 1899, the closing time of licensed houses in Auckland was 11 p.m., instead of 10 p.m. ; but to the prosperous condition of the colony, and the large increase in foreign-going shipping at the various ports, may, I think, be ascribed the general increase of drunkenness. The total number of arrests for drunkenness on Sundays in the four principal centres during the year was 166, against 182 in 3898, divided as follows : Dunedin, 52, against 46; Wellington, 46, against 63 ; Auckland, 39, against 33 ; and Christchurch, 29, against 40. These figures indicate that the law relating to Sunday trading is by no means strictly observed, notwithstanding the efforts of the police. At present those who incite the publicans to break the law run no risk, whereas the consequences to the publican, if caught, are most serious. I think this is manifestly unfair to the latter, and trust that if the licensing laws are to be amended during the ensuing session of Parliament something approximating to section 25 of " The Intoxicating Liquors Act, 1872," in force in England, may be included in the amendment. I am convinced that many publicans would be glad to see the change. At present, to keep their trade together, they are reluctant to refuse to supply on Sunday those of their week-day customers who may call and ask to be supplied. If all persons found on licensed premises during prohibited hours, and who have no legitimate business there, were made amenable to the law it would be the means of preventing persons who have any respect for themselves from going to the hotels on Sundays to incite the licensees to break the law. My object in making above recommendation is twofold—namely (1), to enable the police to better cope with Sunday trading, and (2) to aid the hotelkeepers in resisting the importunities of persons seeking to obtain drink during prohibited hours. Drunkenness is always reflected in the number of such offences as manslaughter, abusive and threatening language, breaches of the peace, disorderly and riotous conduct, indecent exposure and behaviour, obscene and profane language, and obstructing and resisting police. The net increase during the year under the foregoin" heads is 288, distributed as follows : Manslaughter, 6 ; abusive and threatening language, 7 ; breaches of the peace. 64; disorderly and riotous conduct, 47 ; indecent exposure or behaviour, 35; obscene and profane language, 67, and obstructing and resisting police, 62. It is quite safe to say those increases are mainly attributable to the increase in drunkenness. During the year there were 260 prosecutions against publicans, resulting in 108 convictions, against 301 prosecutions with 121 convictions in 1898. They were distributed as follows : Auckland District, 58, with 23 convictions; Wanganui, 53, with 17 convictions ; Dunedin, 41, with 19 convictions ; Christchurch, 37, with 10 convictions ; Napier, 25, with 12 convictions ; Wellington, 23, with 15 convictions; and Greymouth 23, with 12 convictions. Although the percentage of convictions to prosecutions has risen from 40-19 in 1898 to 41-53 in 1899, the difficulty in obtaining convictions is still very great. Treatment op Persons Suffering prom Illness owing to Excessive Drinking. It has hitherto been the practice for Magistrates to remand to prison persons suffering from illness brought on by excessive drinking, although under section 21 of " The Police Offences Act, 1884," they have power to remand such cases to the hospital. The reasons assigned by the Courts for not availing themselves of this power, are : (1) That there are no separate wards in the hospitals for the reception of such patients, aud to place them in the general wards would disturb the ordinary patients ; and (2) that there are no male nurses in the hospitals to restrain delirium tremens patients. During the past eighteen months several persons have died while under remand to prisons for medical treatment, and the Press and public generally have condemned the system of sending such cases to a prison. It has been suggested by some that the necessary accommodation for treating such cases should be provided at the police-stations. At some of the principal stations a cell has been fitted up with a bed ; but this, I contend, cannot be made to fill the want. For properly treating these cases three things are essential—namely, (1) skilled medical attendance always at hand, (2) skilled nursing, and (3) a ready supply at all hours of suitable nourishing food. So far as I can see, a hospital is the only place where all the foregoing can be obtained, and I am convinced the cases in question cannot be properly treated outside one of those institutions.

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If the present system is adhered to, owing to the want of a separate ward in the hospitals and male attendants, it will not be long before public feeling is again shocked by deaths in prisons of persons who ought to be in hospital, and sooner or later public opinion will compel the authorities to provide the necessary accommodation in the latter places, therefore I recommend some arrangement be at once made with the hospital authorities in the four principal centres for the provision of accommodation for the reception of these cases. Sly-grog Selling. During the year there were eighty-two prosecutions for this offence, resulting in forty convictions, and fines amounting in the aggregate to £432 were imposed, as against eighty-eight prosecutions, with fifty-eight convictions, and fines amounting to £1,526 10s., during the preceding year. From the foregoing it will be seen that while the prosecutions decreased by only 6-81 per cent., and the convictions by 31-03 per cent., on the preceding year, the amount of fines inflicted decreased by 353-35 per cent., or, in other words, while the fines in 1898 averaged £17 6s. lid. per prosecution, and £26 6s. 4-|d. per conviction, in 1899 the figures were £5 ss. 4Jd. and £10 16s. respectively. This very striking diminution in the amount of the fines imposed during the past year clearly indicates that sly-grog selling is not now regarded by many of those who have to administer the law as so serious an offence as it was during the year 1898, and the inevitable result must necessarily be a very considerable increase in this lucrative traffic. Every year it becomes more difficult to obtain the necessary evidence to justify proceedings, or obtain a conviction after proceedings have been taken, as the dealers become more wary after each prosecution. Although the sale of excisable liquors by unlicensed persons is made illegal by statute, it is not regarded by the community (except perhaps those in favour of prohibition) as a crime or even a moral offence; in fact, a large percentage of the population look upon the attempt of the Legislature to deprive them of intoxicants as an unwarrantable encroachment upon their liberties, and consequently take a delight in defeating the object of the law. This feeling is most noticeable in Clutha, where every one not in favour of prohibition appears to have considered it his duty to aid the sly-grog sellers to his utmost, not only in detecting and warning them against police emissaries, but also, if necessary, in breaking down police evidence, and deterring persons from offering themselves as witnesses on behalf of the police. In Clutha at the present time the sly-grog dealers will not sell to or in the presence of any stranger, unless such stranger is first vouched for by some person upon whose word they can rely. No resident of the district will assist the police unless first promised employment in the Force, it being impossible for an informant to obtain employment in the district after he has once assisted the police. Evidence of persons acting under a promise of this kind is taken exception to, not only by Magistrates but by legislators and the community generally; therefore, unless those in favour of prohibition will come to our aid and assist in procuring evidence, instead of contenting themselves with charging the police with neglect of duty in not enforcing the law, I see no hope of ever successfully dealing with the traffic so long as the law remains as at present. If the law could be amended so as to exclude liquor from the district absolutely, then the traffic could be reduced to a minimum. It is futile to attempt to enforce a law that has not the respect of a large percentage of the population, unless (1) the penalties are made drastic enough to deter the people from breaking it, or (2) the police are given powers so Draconic as to practically enable them to dragoon the people into observing it. lam convinced that a democratic community like this in New Zealand would never tolerate either of the two alternatives I have named. Gaming Offences. During the year there were 220 prosecutions under the gaming laws, resulting in 179 convictions, against 171 prosecutions and 140 convictions in 1898, and fifty-five prosecutions and thirty-eight convictions in 1897. This increase, however, must not be taken as an indication that the police have been able to rid the streets of professional betting-men, or in any way check the gambling evil; nor will they be able to do either to any appreciable extent so long as the law remains as it is. I can only reiterate the recommendations made in my last two reports—namely, that the gaming laws may be amended by passing into law the Bill that has been before Parliament during the last two sessions. Second-hand Shops. I repeat all I stated in my last report under this heading, and trust that during the ensuing session the Bill that was introduced into Parliament in 1896, and dropped, after the first reading, may be reintroduced, and an attempt made to pass it into law. I notice that at the Trades Council Conference, sitting in Wellington on the 18th April last, a motion that the Government be urged to provide for the licensing of second-hand dealers was passed. " Infant Life Protection Act, 1896." During the year there were 565 registered homes throughout the colony, representing 883 infants, against 553 homes and 829 infants during the preceding year. Fifty-four deaths occurred in the homes during the year against twenty-seven in 1898, but the inquests held exonerated the keepers in every case from neglect, misconduct, or blame of any kind. The large increase in the number of deaths appears somewhat alarming, but I understand infant mortality generally throughout the colony was much higher in 1899 than in 1898. The deaths

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were distributed as follows : Auckland District, 18 ; Christchurch, 16 ; Dunedin, 8; Wellington, 7 ; Wanganui, 3 ; and Westland and Napier 1 each. There were ten prosecutions under the Act during the year, resulting in nine convictions, as against twenty-four prosecutions and sixteen convictions during the preceding year ; and five licenses were cancelled, as against three in 1898. Periodical inspection proved that the homes were kept clean and tidy, and that the infants were well cared for. Conduct op Members of the Force. The improvement mentioned in my last report in the conduct of the men is still maintained. During the year four constables were convicted of offences in connection with drink, and three of these are no longer in the Force. These four men all had considerable service, and three had previously served in the Armed Constabulary or Permanent Militia. I am pleased to be able to state that, with about two exceptions, the young men who have been taken into the Force during the past eighteen months direct from private life, and who have passed through the training depot, are most abstemious and well conducted generally, and are a credit to the youth of the colony from which they have been drawn. Those to whom the exceptions apply are steady enough, but are inclined to be lazy, and need being kept up to their work. The improved accommodation, especially in Auckland, provided for the unmarried men is also having a marked influence on the men, who are now able to keep their sleeping dormitories neat and tidy, and these habits of tidyness, which can now be enforced, are apparent in the men themselves, who when outside the barracks have a smarter and cleaner appearance. It has been the endeavour of the Inspectors and myself to make the barracks as home-like as possible, and, as an instance of how much this is appreciated by the men, I need only mention that in Auckland they have provided themselves with a billiard-table and fittings, costing considerably over £100. The Training Depot. The training depot still continues to work satisfactorily, and the effect on the men who have passed through it is very marked. It will, however, soon become necessary to erect a separate building for this depot, as owing to the rapid extension of the Newtown portion of Wellington the whole of Mount Cook Police-station will, at no distant date, be required for the use of the men performing duty in that district. "The Police Provident Fund Act, 1899." The passing of this measure last session has given the utmost satisfaction to the Force generally, although many of the men feel that the deductions are heavier than they can well afford. Out of 220 members of the Force who could have remained outside the Act under section 24, only eight availed themselves of their right to do so, the remainder having elected to come under the Act. It is, of course, too early to offer an opinion as to whether or not the fund will need material assistance from the Government in years to come; but owing to the men not having so far availed themselves to any great extent of their right to retire under section 13, the financial position of the fund is at present much better than was anticipated when the measure was before Parliament last session. On the 31st March last, after being in operation four months, there was a balance of £3,256 17s. sd. to the credit of the fund, and this did not include the March deductions, amounting to about £550. Up to the date named the Government had saved the sum of £964 ss. in the form of compassionate allowances, which would no doubt have been paid had the fund not existed. Uniforms. One of the principal recommendations, so far as the men are concerned, of the recent Eoyal Commission —namely, that the police be provided with uniforms free—has not been adopted. I again strongly recommend that at least the men be provided with waterproofs, overcoats, and shakos free of cost. To grant this privilege would not involve a very serious increased expenditure, and it would give immense satisfaction. I find the employes of the Postal and Telegraph, Bailways, and Prisons Departments, and Government messengers, are provided with the whole of their uniforms free; and under these circumstances it seems difficult to understand why the police should not receive similar treatment. Inspectors' Eeports. Extracts from the annual reports of the officers in charge of districts are annexed. They contain nothing calling for special remark. Stations, etc. The following new buildings have been completed since my last report, namely: AucklandOffices, barracks for single men, quarters for two married men, and stable. Wellington (Lambton Quay)— Cells, mess-room, and cook's kitchen. Newtown, or Wellington South—Two-cell lock-up. Christchurch—Sub-Inspector's residence, and cells. Thames—Sergeants' quarters. Cambridge— Station. Mokau—Station. Bluff—Constables' quarters. Eahotu—Lock-up. Tokaanu—Lock-up. Tuporoa—Lock-up. The following new buildings are in course of erection: Gisborne—Sergeant's office, and quarters for married and single men; Fielding—Station ; Invercargill—Station, and barracks for

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single men ; Nelson—Police gaol, and gaoler's quarters ; Westport—Quarters for married man; Queenstown —Sergeant's residence ; Blenheim—Stable. Extensive repairs, additions, &c, have been carried out at Pukekohe, Mercer, Eawene, Dargaville, Ngaruawahia, the Spit (Napier), Dannevirke, Normanby, Marton, Eeefton, Ahaura, Greymouth, Christchurch, Culverden, Eangiora, Kaiapoi, Bingsland, Lyttelton, Kaikoura, Leeston, Glenavy, Timaru, Fairlie, Hampden, Oamaru, Alexandra, Otautau, and Tologa Bay. New stations are much needed at Mangaweka, Hamilton, Kihikihi, Masterton, Akaroa, King Street (Dunedin), Gore, Eoxburgh, Waikouaiti, and Arrowtown. New cells, watch-house, and matron's quarters are very much needed in Auckland. The present cells are entirely out of date, and, owing to their age, confined position, and frequently crowded state in consequence of the number being inadequate for the present requirements of the city, I have no hesitation in saying they are, especially in hot weather, a danger to the health of the prisoners confined therein. I strongly recommend that improved cells, a watch-house, and matron's quarters be erected without further delay in rear of the new barracks, and in accordance with the plans prepared about a year ago. A sergeant's residence is needed at New Plymouth, and new quarters for single men at Eeefton. Extensive repairs, renovations, and additions are required at many other stations throughout the colony. 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 has one policeman to every 1,359 of the population, at a cost of 2s. lOfd. per head, while the other colonies range from one policeman to every 1,074 of the population at a cost of 4s. 1-J-d. in South Australia, to one to 364, at a cost of 12s. lOfd., in Western Australia. Strength and Distribution. Beturns are also annexed showing the strength and distribution of the Force on the 31st March last. I have, &c, J. B. Tunbridge, Commissioner.

EXTEACTS FBOM ANNUAL EEPOETS OF OFFICEES IN CHAEGE OF DISTBICTS.

Inspector J. Cullen : Auckland, Waikato, and Bay op Islands. The new police-station here was opened on the 3rd January last, and provides good office accommodation, and very comfortable quarters for about forty single men. A new stable was also erected here during the year. A new watchhouse and set of cells are badly required here, as the old ones are totally inadequate for present requirements, and are also in an insanitary condition. A report on this subject has already been furnished to you. The conduct of the men has been very satisfactory, very few having been punished during the year. There has been a substantial decrease in the number of the more serious offences, such as thefts undescribed, burglary, assaults and robbery, thefts from dwellings, &c, and the percentage of undetected crime in the district has also decreased during the year.

Inspector F. McGovern : Napier and East Coast. The return of crime for the year ended 31st March, 1900, shows that during that year 1,208 offences were reported as against 1,375 reported in the year 1898, a decrease of 167 cases for last year. Of the 1,899 cases, fifty-two were committed for trial, forty resulting in conviction in the Supreme Court. The decrease for last year is pretty evenly distributed over the various classes of offences. Only two serious crimes against the person were reported in 1899 —viz., one case of infanticide ; accused acquitted in Supreme Court—and a Maori shooting another with intent at Whakatane, the latter arising out of a personal quarrel between the two Natives, and accused was sentenced to two years' hard labour. Sly-grog selling in the district appears to have completely died out, not a single case having been reported during the year. The conduct of the men has been good and punishments rare.

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Inspector E. J. Gillies : Wanganui and West Coast. A number of the police in this district are discharging the duties of Clerks of Court, bailiffs, and various outside appointments, and I would like to point out that the greater portion of a constable's time is so employed at Feilding, Stratford, and Patea Police-stations, and if the constables at these stations are not soon relieved of these duties, I anticipate it will be found necessary in the near future to increase the number of police at these stations in order to have the police duty effectually performed. The Police Provident Fund appears to have given great satisfaction to the members of the Force in this district, and I have no doubt will cause increased energy in the discharge of their duty, as the men have now something to look forward to in declining years. I consider the conduct of the members of the Force as a whole has been good, and the numerous duties have been faithfully performed.

Inspector P. Pender : Wellington and Marlborough. The conduct of the men has been good, and punishments few. The city and suburbs of Wellington are making rapid progress, and a large number of buildings have been erected during the year. The shipping is also on the increase, and very extensive wharfage accommodation is in progress. The police arrangements at the wharf continue to give satisfaction. The present arrangements at Manners Street Station are, in my opinion, capable of improvement. I think a sergeant and at least four constables (all single men) should be stationed there. The population of the Mount Cook sub-district is increasing very fast, new houses are visible in all directions, more particularly' in the Newtown quarter. In my opinion, the Force in this extensive sub-district is not sufficient to meet the demands of the public. I think fully five more constables are required, three at Mount Cook and two at Newtown, where a night patrol should be kept up; and it is only a matter of a very short time when resident constables will be required at Brooklyn, Berhampore, Mitchelltown, and Kilbirnie. The training depot at Mount Cook has been successful, under the superintendence of Sergeants Briggs and O'Donovan, in turning out a number of good trained men during the year, and I am pleased to say has, in my opinion, filled a long-felt want. \

Sub-Inspectob E. Macdonell : Nelson and Westland. From what I have seen of the district, I am of opinion that at present the strength of it is sufficient. Should, however, the gold-dredging turn out anything like the success anticipated, there will be a considerable increase in the population. Should this eventuate, it might alter the position. I will, however, report if it does. I understand the members of the Force in this district during the past year have conducted themselves well, and have carried out their other numerous additional duties in a satisfactory manner.

Inspector J. W. Ellison : Canterbury and North Otago. I do not consider the increase in the arrests for drunkenness an indication that the habit of drinking to excess is generally increasing. It is probably accounted for by increased prosperity of the country causing a greater circulation of money, which gives the habitual tipplers more opportunities of getting liquor. A great proportion of those arrested for drunkenness appear frequently on that charge during a year ; many of them travel about the country, and appear on similar charges in several places at short intervals. A matter of great importance to the Police Force during the year was the coming into operation of the Police Provident Fund. Only one man of those who might have claimed exemption in this district remains outside the Act. It is generally felt that the fund will prove an immense benefit. Although the deductions are somewhat heavier, and the age of voluntary retiring higher than the members of the Force had hoped for when you first took the matter in hand, it is generally admitted no more favourable conditions could be obtained under the existing difficulties of establishing a Provident Fund where so many various ages and terms of past service had to be provided for.

Inspector W. S. Pardy : Dunedin, Southland, and Lakes. As to crime, the total number of offences reported during the year was 2,590, being a net increase of nine offences reported, as compared with the previous year, which shows that, upon the whole, crime is in its normal state. The conduct of the sergeants and constables and detectives during the year has been satisfactory, and they have been zealous and attentive to their duties.

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Return showing the Number of Offences reported, Persons apprehended, and Comparison of Crime during the Year ending 31st December, 1898, and Year ending 31st December, 1899.

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1898. 1899. / Oflencea. CO o •3 lit 1-2 2! ft! If » Pi. Committed for Trial. Persons apprehended or summoned. Summarily Convicted. Discharged. Number of ft tivi Convictions ,§§,§§ amongst 3 o a o those 5 \x S3 h committed gS for Trial. £ *S M. F. d ca id 1—i 6 I n M. j F. M. F. M. F. abandoning children .. Lbduction Lbortion, procuring ibsconding from apprenticeship ibsconding from bail ibsconding from industrial schools .busive and threatening language L rmed, with felonious intent irson .rson, attempted issaults, common .. .. LssauIts, indecent issaults occasioning bodily harm iSsaults on bailiffs Lssaults on police issaults and robbery ittempts to commit felony Sankruptcy offences Seing in possession of housebreaking implements Segging iestiality Sigamy Slackmailing, attempted ireaches of the peace Snberv, attempted Surglary, breaking into shops, dwellings, &c. Jarnally knowing girls iarnally knowing, attempted .. lasting avva} , a ship lattle- and horse-stealing (see Theft). lattle-maiming ioinage offences loneealment of birth .. Jonspiring to defraud lonspiring to defeat the course of justice Jontempt of Court iruelty to animals !ruelty to children Jutting and wounding.. Damaging police uniform Defacing brands on stock Deserting and failing to provide for wives and children )eserters and stragglers from H.M. ships Deserting merchant vessels )t serting New Zealand Police .. Discharging firearms .. Disobeying orders on board ships )isobeying 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 Escaping from custody Escaping from lunatic asylums.. 'ailing to pay Chinese poll-tax.. failing to support parents and near relatives 'alse declarations "alse pretences 'isb, illegally taking .. forcible entry "orgery and uttering .. 'ortune-telling 'urious riding and driving lame, illegally shooting raming offences larbouring deserters from merchant vessels 2 1 2 3 2 87 299 1 29 13 741 43 60 2 111 32 1 18 3 2 2 2 2 1 "3 1 "3 1 2 1 1 3 1 2 1 2 2 19 C8 306 1 27 7 788 41 53 2 100 36 5 15 4 60 306 1 12 4 778 34 53 2 100 34 4 13 4 5 1 22 14 1 1 54 182 "2 461 6 16 2 82 6 16 20 1 86 1 2 2 271 7 19 22 1 l 26 2 60 306 1 11 4 778 35 53 2 100 35 4 13 4 1 12 11 '7 47 2 6 2 7 5 25 1 4 1 2 5 3 '3 9 9 1 4 'i 1 5 14 4 4 11 2 1 1 :■! 17 2 3 26 5 3 1 360 26 5 3 1 360 4 3 1 22 l 2 1 1 26 5 3 1 364 9 3 4 3 296 1 335 301 5 56 "2 1 64 322 190 91 6 73 '2 19 191 74 2 i 13 16 1 18 3 1 18 3 1 14 2 1 4 1 18 3 1 6 2 2 2 1 13 3 3 5 24 4 8 4 9 1 1 3 2 3 4 9 1 3 ~2 "l 1 1 1 2 3 5 13 "3 2 5 1 4 9 12 24 2 1H0 7 2 40 2 403 6 168 1 7 42 1 392 6 164 1 6 42 1 341 4 126 1 2 38 6 165 1 6 42 1 341 4 12 6 1 1 5 2 6 4 40 1 241 2 1 11 5 90 5 101 69 42 42 42 32 42 22 46 436 108 1 36 57 444 73 1 36 55 403 68 1 27 46 296 5 9 9 104 73 1 36 55 403 66 1 14 I 11 8 1 2 3 7 5 4 1 5 4 273 3 2 85 320 6 5 53 320 6 5 53 283 6 5 36 6 26 5 320 6 5 54 47 3 3 18 32 5,532 6 10 6,289 8 15 1 262 6,289 8 14 1 254 '3 5,323 5 14 1 171 899 56 11 6,289 8 14 1 255 "2 757 2 5 1 42 i. 220 3 78 3 8 186 14 9 94 2 60 43 171 48 208 27 46 202 27 3 40 1 29 115 17 7 9 7 36 10 1 46 202 27 33 40 22 13 79 2 58 31 220 1 77 2 58 31 220 1 70 •2 3 2 57 30 176 1 75 2 58 31 220 1 62 2 9 15 1 1 41 2 12 i 49 1

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Return showing the Number of Offences reported, Persons apprehended, and Comparison of Crime during the Year ending 31st December, 1898, and Year ending 31st December, 1899 — continued.

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1898. 1899. Offences. Sog gsi , O DQ 0 o g o •s 411 a-" ° £ ill! §« a Persons a] Committed for Trial. >prehendea or summoned. 0) T3 ,O en <D o 0 01 03 rj f-i r\ Q 1 EH «S NAnber ot Convictions amongst those committed for Trial. Summarily Convicted. Discharged. 6 q M. F. M. P. M. P., 6 a M M. F. Illegally on premises Indecent exposure or behaviour Keeping disorderly houses and brothels Killing animals with intent to steal the carcases Libel Lunacy Malicious injury to property Maliciously tilling 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 Prison offences (loitering about and communicating with prisoners) Prize-fighting.. Rape Rape, attempted Rape, aiding to commit Receiving stolen property Refusing 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 Theft of post-letters Theft by servants Threatening letters Threatening to shoot Travelling by rail and refusing to pay fares Treason Trespass Unlawfully felling timber Unlawful assembly Vagrancy 133 112 25 103 147 43 103 143 43 1 72 116 8 13 8 21 14 17 8 4 1 6 103 143 43 1 30 35 18 1 15 14 2 2 11 15 14 3 425 448 4 4 11 5 171 421 133 1 18 12 51 12 1 2 418 379 17 10 4 8 187 488 195 2 418 342 14 10 4 8 187 488 195 4 2 6 2 6 1 243 264 12 1 115 23 41 51 19 4 2 418 346 14 10 4 8 187 488 195 8 1 1 2 2 1 7 69 's 1 13 6 2 7 95 372 179 68 61 5 1 11 47 10 1 13 8 1 3 16 07 (12 9 13 92 23 6 8 13 92 21 6 7 11 87 1 1 5 5 8 18 92 21 6 1 9 1 1 41 11 5 13 3 "e 8 1 4 6 13 1 27 50 30 2 8 9 2 8 8 8 9 2 2 8 11 2 2 6 2 '2 4 1 14 13 72 27 13 72 27 '2 6 60 20 4 1 3 7 14 2 1 13 72 35 1 22 3 3 1 11 2 3 1 2 3 1 8 1 3 18 1 1 1 1 1 3 17 3 92 5 2 2 17 150 57 38 81 2,273 8 6 1 88 10 7 22 425 151 9 28 2 2 19 7 82 7 1 2 17 155 38 32 66 1,788 10 6 1 72 18 5 36 342 88 7 30 1 9 17 7 82 7 1 2 17 155 38 32 66 1,130 7 5 1 50 7 4 21 195 47 4 30 2 i 2 8 120 1 1 'i 8 20 7 129 37 5 31 711 4 1 1 13 5 2 10 123 10 1 18 20 io 1 2 3 80 4 24 ■29 1 9 24 177 2 3 18 7 3 7 8 17 7 82 7 1 2 17 162 38 32 66 1,113 7 5 1 54 7 4 21 199 49 4 31 2 1 2 *7 100 1 1 1 4 4 '2 5 2 io i • • 19 6 15 485 1 29 10 2 2 21 '8 16 2 8 32 25 2 10 '6 ii 3 22 13 1 1 3 1 2 5 25 16 1 10 5 14 "i 83 63 2 2 '2 "9 17 5 1 1 4 15 1 9 17 '7 2 16 153 5 16 370 165 3 1 360 163 3 1 360 129 3 1 31 1 52 2 163 3 1 360 12 16 2 15 10 191 102 15 Totals 16,378 16,865 15,532 1,701 466 1150 631 37 11,415 1,542 235 15,561 21 1637 In. ;. 487

H.—l6.

Return showing the Strength and Distribution of the New Zealand Police Force on the 31st March, 1900.

2—H. 16.

9

Stations. I Jill a en a M ta to q> to 8 1 o o EC' II Si to o p "sir O 3 I o I Stations. i ,i §1 ng. a I ! . i b a ° Iβ ID i O > P a o Iβ O M o H CD ■*= ® II r! c P o O can g 'X "III .uckland, Waikato, and Bay of IslandsAuckland Aratapu Avondale Cambridge Coromandel Dargaville Devonport Eden Terrace .. Ellerslie Freeman's Bay .. Hamilton Helenaville Hikurangi Hobsonville Howick Huntly Kaikohe Karangahake Kawakawa Kawhia Kihikihi Mangawai Mangonui Mercer Newmarket Newton Ngaruawahia Norchcota Ohaeawai Okupu, Gt. Barrier Onehunga Otahuhu Otorohanga Paeroa Pahi Papakura Parnell Ponsonby Poio-o-tarao Port Albert Pukekohe Raglan Rawene Russell Shortland Surrey Hills Te Aroha Te Awamutu Te Kuiti Thames Waihi Waipu Wailekauri Waiuku Warkworth Whangarei Whangaroa Whitianga 1 1 4, 38 1 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 4 49 1 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 Napier and East Coast — contd. Te Whaiti Tokaanu Tolaga Bay Tuparoa Waikaremoana .. Waipawa Waipiro Waipukurau Wairoa Whakatane Woodville 1 2 1 2 i i i 1 ■ ■I I •• 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 i i 1 i 6 36 1 44 4 ..! Totals 4 1 1 Wanganui and West Coast— Wanganui Aramoho Ashhurst Bull's Eltham Feilding Foxton Hawera Hunterville Inglewood Kimbolton Manaia Mangaweka Marton Moawhango Mokau New Plymouth .. Normanby Ohingaiti Opunake Palmerston North Patea Pungarehu Raetihi Stratford Terrace End (Palmerston N.) .. Waitara Waitotara Waverley ..! 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 8 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 5 I 1 1 G 1 1 1 2 1 11 1 1 ! i i 2 2 3 ! 1 1 i 1 I 1 \l I 1 6 1 1 1 7 1 1 1 2 1 1 ..! 1 1 li i i i 4 1 1 1 1 1 5 1 1 i I I I I 1 1 , j i ■■■[ 'i 'i \ i \ 2 2 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 i 1 i p j 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 j * * "' i " Totals 1 " I 1 3 49 1 55 i i 1 _ j I Wellington and Marlborough— Wellington Clyde Quay Manners Street .. Mount Cook Ditto Training Depot Thorndon Quay.. Wellington South Carterton Bketahuna Featherston Greytown North Johnson ville Levin Lower Hutt Makuri Manpjatainoka .. Martinborough .. Masterton Otaki Pahiatua Petone Tenui Upper Hutt Blenheim Cullensville Haveloek Pioton 1 4 83 1 2 9 8 44 1 2 10 1 1 1 " "1 I ■" i 'i I ■ "I j .. 1 ... 1 12 13 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Totals fapier and East CoastNapier Carlyle Street .. Clive Dannevirke Gisborne Hastings Herbertville Katikati Opotiki Ormond Ormondville Port Awanui Rotorua Spit Taradale Taupo Tauranga Te Puke 1 1 i 10 i 100 6 118 7 3 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 7 1 1 1 5 'I ] 1 11 i i '2 6 8 I 1 1 3 1 2 2 1 1 4 1 1 4 1 2 ■2 1 1 5 i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 J 1 1 1 1 t 2 I 1 1 ! • • j I " 1 1 ! 1 2 1 2 i "i I i i 5 12 101 3 i i Totals i ll 1 7 74 • •]

H.—l6.

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

10

Stations. s a a g : o 9 0 § s -I I •§ I a: O O h o b in i o H "I 3 O DO Q s 00 Stations. s o o Q< a i—i i I83 s I 8 CD o CD I ■ d u Si <u O Pi i o .23 5| o a> Nelson and Westland-— Greymouth Ahaura Brunnerton Charleston Collingwood Denniston Hokitika Kanieri Kumara Lyell Motueka . Nelson Okarito . Reefton Richmond Ross Seddonville Spring Grove Stafford Takaka The Port Westport 1 1 5 1 1 1 1 1 q i i i . . i •• 7 1 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 Canterbury and N. Otago — contd. Timaru Waimate Woolston 1 7 2 1 g 2 Totals 1 1 9 98 4 113 1 i i 1 Dunedin, Southland, and Lakes— Dunedin, Central King Street Alexandra South Anderson's Bay .. Arrowtown Balclutha Bluff 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 Invercargill Ophir Orepuki Otautau Outram Owaka Palmerston South Pembroke Port Chalmers .. Queenstown Eavensbourne .. Eiverton Roslyn Roxburgh St. Bathan's St. Clair South Dunedin .. South Inveroargill Tapanui Waikaia Waikouaiti Waitahuna Waitati Winton Woodhaugh Wyndham i 1 1 4 1 31 4 1 1 1 1 1 3 40 5 1 1 1 1 2 1 7 1 1 8 1 2 1 l 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 J. 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 "i 1 i 1 Totals -J I 1 5 34 40 2 i Canterbury and North Otago— Ohristchurch Addington Akaroa Amberley Ashburton Belfast Bingsland Cheviot Coalgate Culverden Fairlie Geraldine Glenavy Hampden Kaiapoi Kaikoura Kurow Leeston ' Lincoln Linwood Little River Lyttelton Methven New Brighton .. Ngapara Oamaru Oxford Papanui Phillipstown Pleasant Point .. , Rakaia Rangiora St. Albans Sheffield Southbridge Sumner Sydenham Temuka I 8 1 :i7 i 2 1 5 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 1 1| 1 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 8 45 1 2 1 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 5 1 1 1 7 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 Q 2 1 1 1 *2 I 8 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 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 10 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 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 . . 1 1 1 1 1 1 Totals 1 1 14 96 g 115 I 1 1 6 o 54 487 20 12 7 Grand totals .. e 586 19 4

11

H.—l6

Keturn showing Casualties in the New Zealand Police Force during the Year ended 31st March, 1900. Retired on compensation .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 Retired under Police Provident Fund Aot .. .. .. .. .. 2 Resignations .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 Dismissals .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 Deaths .. . v .. .. .. .. .. 4 Transferred to Justice Department .. .. .. .. .. 1 Services dispensed with .. .. .. .. .. 2 30

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, 1899. Approximate Coat of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (1,725 copies), £10 4s, 6d.

By Authority: John Maokav, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9oo.

Price 6d.)

Place. i Police to Populatioj Proportion of Police to Population. Cost ol Police per inhabitant. Remarks. *j *.' -a- -*r £r V4'*"»^^' New Zealand 1 to 1,359 s. d. 2 10| Victoria .. New South Wales .. South Australia 1 to 789 1 to 673 1 to 1,074 i 6J 5 5J 4 14 Number of police, 586; net expenditure (vide Appropriation Account for year ended 31st March, 1900), £115,445 11s. 5d. Population, 796,359 (including Maoris). Vide Appropriation of Revenue, 1899-1900 —viz.: Number of police, 1,474 ; vote, £264,566. Population, 1,162,900. Vide Estimates of Expenditure, 1899-1900 —viz.: Number of police, 2,003 (exclusive of 70 Native trackers) ; vote, £368,344. Population, 1,348,400. Vide Estimates of Expenditure for Year ending 30th June, 1900—viz. : Number of police, 345 ; vote, £76,561. Population, 370,700. Vide Estimates of Expenditure for 1899-1900—viz.: Number of police, 878 (exolusive of 10 supernumeraries and 120 Native trackers); vote, £173,698. Population, 482,400. Vide Estimates of Expenditure for Year ending 30th June, 1900 —viz.: Number of police, 469; vote, £110,186 2s. Population, 171,032. j Queensland 1 to 549 7 2§ Western Australia .. 1 to 364 12 10J