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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1905 Session I, H-16

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1905. 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 op Justice. Sir,— Police Department, Commissioner's Office, 20th June, 1905. 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 655 of all ranks, being an increase of 29 during the year. The total is made up as follows : Inspectors, 8 ; Sub-Inspectors, 4 ; sergeant-major, 1 ; sergeants, 64 ; constables, 543 ; probationers, 10; detectives, 25. In addition to above, there were 4 police surgeons, 4 matrons, 22 district constables, 9 Native constables, and 62 horses. Stations. New stations have been formed at Taumarunui, Waikino, and Te Karaka ; and those at Waitekauri and Ormond have been closed. Casualties. The casualties (Appendix C) have been : Retired under the Police Provident Fund Act, 7 ; resigned, 14 ; died, 2 ; dismissal, 1 ; total 24. This is 1 less than in the preceding year. Criminal Statistics. The criminal statistics (Appendix A) deal with all offences reported to the police during the year ended the 31st December last, and show an aggregate net increase of 330 on the figures of 1903, but a slight decrease on a population basis, as in 1903 the proportion of offences to the population was 2-36 per cent., whereas in 1904 it was 2-33 per cent. The principal increases were —drunkenness, 800 ; failing to support parents, 33 ; obstructing and resisting police, 92 ; opium-smoking, or being in possession of opium, 80 ; receiving stolen property, 22 ; theft from dwellings, 82 ; theft from the person, 27 ; vagrancy, 105. The principal decreases were—deserting families, 52 ; disobeying summonses, &c, 106 ; disorderly and riotous conduct, 96 ; false,declarations, 30 ; false pretences, 88 ; illegally taking fish, 43 ; gaming offences, 113 ; malicious injury to property, 48 ; obstructing thoroughfares, 78 ; refusing to quit, 31 ; sly-grog selling, 42 ; stowaways, 39; theft by servants, 60. The increase (331) on the total number of all offences reported is the smallest on record since 1891, the average yearly increase during the five years ending the 31st December, 1903, being 976. Serious crimes increased slightly during the past year, but only to the extent of 10 in excess of the average yearly record for the previous five years. The percentage of arrests for serious crimes during the year exceeds the yearly average for the last five years by 386 per cent., and the percentage of arrests or summonses resulting from all offences reported was 95 - 23, the yearly average for the preceding five years being 93-83 per cent. I—H. 16.

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As the number of crimes or offences reported varies considerably from year to year, as well as the results of police action, I have compared the year under review with the average of the preceding five years ; and, considering""the continued increase of the population, the statistical |returns for the past year are eminently satisfactory, and tend to demonstrate the continued efficiency of the Police Force as a body. The number of serious crimes compared with the previous year are as follows : —

The number of indecent and sexual offences shows a decrease of 12 as compared with the preceding year, the numbers being 359 in 1903 and 347 in 1904, a prosecution being instituted in 340 cases. " The Criminal Code Act, 1893," section 196, dealing with persons having a knowledge of girls under sixteen years of age, and providing that all proceedings against such offenders must be taken within one month of the date the offence is committed, has not proved satisfactory. Various cases have come under the notice of the police, especially during the last year, in which proceedings could not be instituted as the time-limit had elapsed before the girls parents or the police knew that the offence of carnal knowledge had been committed. Several cases have also been reported in which the parents or police had no knowledge of the circumstances until six and nine months after the offence had been committed. If, therefore, girls under sixteen years of age are to receive the protection they require, it seems highly essential that the time-limit under which proceedings can be taken should be extended to three, six, or even twelve months, so that every opportunity should be given for disclosing such offences and bringing the offending parties to justice. No danger would exist of miscarriages of justice arising through lapse of time between the committal of such offences and the institution of criminal proceedings, as the uncorroborated evidence of complainants would not be reJied upon by judicial authorities. Owing to the time-limit having elapsed cases of carnal knowledge were dealt with as indecent assaults, and convictions thus obtained, until a recent decision prevented action being taken for the lesser offence (indecent assault) when the graver one (carnal knowledge) was committed. Last year I had reluctantly to report the so-far-unsuccessful endeavours to trace the Te Awaite murderer. lam now pleased to report that success attended continued efforts to bring the offender to justice, and great credit is due to all members of the Force concerned in the arduous and intricate inquiry, especially to those who were not only instrumental in securing the arrest (risking their lives in doing so), but in collecting sufficient evidence to satisfy a jury of the guilt of the accused, for which meritorious conduct they were suitably rewarded. Another serious case of robbery and shooting whh intent occurred at Christchurch, in which two detectives, by risking their own lives, secured the arrest of a notorious criminal, who was armed with a revolver and shooting indiscriminately. The prisoner was subsequently sentenced to eight years' imprisonment, and the detectives rewarded for meritorious conduct. Drunkenness. From the following table it will be observed that 4233 per cent., of the males and 7131 per cent. of the females had previous convictions recorded against them, and 1036 per cent, of the males were not permanent residents in the colony.

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1903. 1904. Crimes. I v , t Number of XT , . Number of Number of ,-,„ • Number of n „ ■ „„ .-.„ Offences in „ n ~„ " Offences in l£lZ? whioh Arrests JZ Zf which Arrests reported. resulted . reported. resulted . Lrson 19 16 29 22 issault and robbery ... 47 44 53 47 Jurglary 340 213 357 219 'orgery and uttering 76 73 83 76 lurder 5 4 3 3 attempted 3 3 2 2 tape 7 7 10 10 deceiving stolen property 22 22 44 40 ihooting with intent 1 1 1 1 520 383 582 420

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Return showing the Number of Persons charged with Drunkenness during the Year 1904 and the Number of Previous Convictions against same, as far as known.

During the year there has been an increase of 800 in the total number of persons charged with drunkenness as compared with the preceding year, the average yearly increase for the five years ended the 31st December, 1903, being 656. The number charged with this offence in 1903 was 8,815 (7,977 males and 838 females), whereas in 1904 the number was 9,615 (8,660 males and 955 females). The general increase in arrests for drunkenness is no doubt mostly due to the continued increase of the population and prosperity of the colony, and partly owing to the increased activity of police in removing drunken persons from the streets, several younger and more active sergeants having been placed in charge of the men in cities where the principal increases have occurred. The increases were as follows : Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Islands, 423 ; Napier and East Coast, 89 ; Wanganui and West Coast, 122 ; Wellington and Marlborough, 354 ; Southland, 35. The decreases were as follows : Nt lson and Westland, 61 ; Canterbury and North Otago, 100 ; Dunedin, 62. The discontinuance on the 31st March last of granting licenses to railway refreshment-rooms will no doubt prove beneficial to the public generally, as it will tend to abolish disorderly scenes at railwaystations, prevent accidents to drunken persons, and act as a deterrent to prohibited persons. The following returns show the number of persons arrested for drunkenness and dealt with in the four large centres, and the number arrested in the colony on Sundays. Eetuen showing the Number of Peksons arrested for Drunkenness within each Principal Centre during the Years 1903-4, the Number convicted, and Number discharged or withdrawn (Males and Females shown separately).

Return showing the Number of Persons arrested for Drunkenness on Sundays within each Principal Centre during the Years 1903-4 (Males and Females shown separately).

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Return showing the Number of Persons charged with Drunkenness during the Yi and the Number of Previous Convictions against same, as far as known. iar 1904 J Not PreI viously Convicted. One Fre- Two ?re- Three Pre- Fo ir P.e- Five Pre- ; Over Five vious Con- vious Con- vious Con- viousCon- vious Con- Previous Totals. viction. victions. victione. victions. . victions. Couvict'ns. o g.i ~ District. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. P. M. F. M. F. | M. P. M. F. i I I — o> s> « j2 fa t o Auckland, Waikat", and Bay of Islands Napier and East Coast Wanganui and West Coa^t Wellington and Marlborongh Nelson and Westland Canterbury and North Otago Dunedin Southland 930 431 872 47 19 30 213 125 148 22 7 11 105 57 61 11 J 65 3 48 j 6 5 J 33 4 12 2 15 .. 7 6 19 y7 10 61 9 1 ! 5 ... 2 .. 33 8 5 3 2 227 51 47 82 1,621 5 , 717 ■2 1,155 155 2,244 2 210 ' 44 i 49 174 227 Vi 7 1,333 99 287 37 155 50 8 261 837 ;; io 173 11 23 2 7 i Lβ 29 676 44 259 43 173 38 , 141 31 i 123 i 10 10 75 11 21 5 3 18 .. 18 .. 87 I 449 59 287 38 191 4 136 20 1,699 190 187 417 162 22 2 93 40 9 3 46 26 19 13 8 43 28 61 ; 714 11 J 300 338 8,660! 126 19 76 ■ii 4,994 274 1,188 134 G30 319 25 793 955 897 During the year there has been an increase of 800 in the total number of persons charged with drunkenness as compared with the preceding year, the average yearly increase for the five years ended the 31st December, 1903, being 656. The number charged with this offence in 1903 was 8,815 (7,977 males and 838 females), whereas in 1904 the number was 9,615 (8,660 males and 955 females). The general increase in arrests for drunkenness is no doubt mostly due to the continued increase of the population and prosperity of the colony, and partly owing to the increased activity of police in removing drunken persons from the streets, several younger and more active sergeants having been placed in charge of the men in cities where the principal increases have occurred. The increases were as follows : Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Islands, 423 ; Napier and East Coast, 89 ; Wanganui and West Coast, 122 ; Wellington and Marlborough, 354 ; Southland, 35. The decreases were as follows : Ntlson and Westland, 61 ; Canterbury and North Otago, 100 ; Dunedin, 62. The discontinuance on the 31st March last of granting licenses to railway refreshment-rooms will no doubt prove beneficial to the public generally, as it will tend to abolish disorderly scenes at railwaystations, prevent accidents to drunken persons, and act as a deterrent to prohibited persons. The following returns show the number of persons arrested for drunkenness and dealt with in the four large centres, and the number arrested in the colony on Sundays. Retuen showing the Number of Peksons arrested for Drunkenness within each Principal Centre during the Years 1903-4, the Number convicted, and Number discharged or withdrawn (Males and Females shown separately). Number arrested, 1903. Number arrested, 1904. Number convicted, 1904. Number discharged or withdrawn, 1904. Centre. M. P. M. P. M. P. M. P. Auckland and suburbs ... Wellington and suburbs... Christchurch and suburbs Dunedin and suburbs 812 1,623 942 546 135 201 195 122 1,176 1,882 912 549 161 302 176 118 1,176 1,881 905 548 161 302 176 118 i 1 7 1 Totals ... 3,923 653 4,519 757 4,510 757 Return showing the Number of each Principal Centre during Pkksons .he Years arrested for Dβ 1903-4 (Males ai INKBNNESi d Fenialf ! on Si is shown INDAYS separa within iely). Number arrested, 1903. Number arrested, 1904. Number convicted, 1904. Number discharged or withdrawn, 1904. Centre. M. P. M. F. M. I F. M. F. dockland and suburbs ... Vellington and suburbs ... ihristchurch and suburbs )unedin and suburbs 25 32 10 11 25 m 10 11 4 3 2 2 38 40 16 5 9 8 1 2 38 40 15 5 9 3 1 2 9 3 1 2 i Totals ... 78 II 99 15 98 15

Return showing the Number of Persons charged with Drunkenness during the Yi and the Number of Previous Convictions against same, as far as known. iar 1904 J Not PreI viously Convicted. One Fre- Two ?re- Three Pre- Fo ir P.e- Five Pre- ; Over Five vious Con- vious Con- vious Con- viousCon- vious Con- Previous Totals. viction. victions. victione. victions. . victions. Couvict'ns. o g.i ~ District. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. P. M. F. M. F. | M. P. M. F. i I I — o> s> « j2 fa t o Auckland, Waikat", and Bay of Islands Napier and East Coast Wanganui and West Coa^t Wellington and Marlborongh Nelson and Westland Canterbury and North Otago Dunedin Southland 930 431 872 47 19 30 213 125 148 22 7 11 105 57 61 11 J 65 3 48 j 6 5 J 33 4 12 2 15 .. 7 6 19 y7 10 61 9 1 ! 5 ... 2 .. 33 8 5 3 2 227 51 47 82 1,621 5 , 717 ■2 1,155 155 2,244 2 210 ' 44 i 49 174 227 Vi 7 1,333 99 287 37 155 50 8 261 837 ;; io 173 11 23 2 7 i Lβ 29 676 44 259 43 173 38 , 141 31 i 123 i 10 10 75 11 21 5 3 18 .. 18 .. 87 I 449 59 287 38 191 4 136 20 1,699 190 187 417 162 22 2 93 40 9 3 46 26 19 13 8 43 28 61 ; 714 11 J 300 338 8,660! 126 19 76 ■ii 4,994 274 1,188 134 G30 319 25 793 955 897 During the year there has been an increase of 800 in the total number of persons charged with drunkenness as compared with the preceding year, the average yearly increase for the five years ended the 31st December, 1903, being 656. The number charged with this offence in 1903 was 8,815 (7,977 males and 838 females), whereas in 1904 the number was 9,615 (8,660 males and 955 females). The general increase in arrests for drunkenness is no doubt mostly due to the continued increase of the population and prosperity of the colony, and partly owing to the increased activity of police in removing drunken persons from the streets, several younger and more active sergeants having been placed in charge of the men in cities where the principal increases have occurred. The increases were as follows : Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Islands, 423 ; Napier and East Coast, 89 ; Wanganui and West Coast, 122 ; Wellington and Marlborough, 354 ; Southland, 35. The decreases were as follows : Ntlson and Westland, 61 ; Canterbury and North Otago, 100 ; Dunedin, 62. The discontinuance on the 31st March last of granting licenses to railway refreshment-rooms will no doubt prove beneficial to the public generally, as it will tend to abolish disorderly scenes at railwaystations, prevent accidents to drunken persons, and act as a deterrent to prohibited persons. The following returns show the number of persons arrested for drunkenness and dealt with in the four large centres, and the number arrested in the colony on Sundays. Retuen showing the Number of Peksons arrested for Drunkenness within each Principal Centre during the Years 1903-4, the Number convicted, and Number discharged or withdrawn (Males and Females shown separately). Number arrested, 1903. Number arrested, 1904. Number convicted, 1904. Number discharged or withdrawn, 1904. Centre. M. P. M. P. M. P. M. P. Auckland and suburbs ... Wellington and suburbs... Christchurch and suburbs Dunedin and suburbs 812 1,623 942 546 135 201 195 122 1,176 1,882 912 549 161 302 176 118 1,176 1,881 905 548 161 302 176 118 i 1 7 1 Totals ... 3,923 653 4,519 757 4,510 757 Return showing the Number of each Principal Centre during Pkksons .he Years arrested for Dβ 1903-4 (Males ai INKBNNESi d Fenialf ! on Si is shown INDAYS separa within iely). Number arrested, 1903. Number arrested, 1904. Number convicted, 1904. Number discharged or withdrawn, 1904. Centre. M. P. M. F. M. I F. M. F. dockland and suburbs ... Vellington and suburbs ... ihristchurch and suburbs )unedin and suburbs 25 32 10 11 25 m 10 11 4 3 2 2 38 40 16 5 9 8 1 2 38 40 15 5 9 3 1 2 9 3 1 2 i Totals ... 78 II 99 15 98 15

Return showing the Number of Persons charged with Drunkenness during the Yi and the Number of Previous Convictions against same, as far as known. iar 1904 J Not PreI viously Convicted. One Fre- Two ?re- Three Pre- Fo ir P.e- Five Pre- ; Over Five vious Con- vious Con- vious Con- viousCon- vious Con- Previous Totals. viction. victions. victione. victions. . victions. Couvict'ns. o g.i ~ District. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. P. M. F. M. F. | M. P. M. F. i I I — o> s> « j2 fa t o Auckland, Waikat", and Bay of Islands Napier and East Coast Wanganui and West Coa^t Wellington and Marlborongh Nelson and Westland Canterbury and North Otago Dunedin Southland 930 431 872 47 19 30 213 125 148 22 7 11 105 57 61 11 J 65 3 48 j 6 5 J 33 4 12 2 15 .. 7 6 19 y7 10 61 9 1 ! 5 ... 2 .. 33 8 5 3 2 227 51 47 82 1,621 5 , 717 ■2 1,155 155 2,244 2 210 ' 44 i 49 174 227 Vi 7 1,333 99 287 37 155 50 8 261 837 ;; io 173 11 23 2 7 i Lβ 29 676 44 259 43 173 38 , 141 31 i 123 i 10 10 75 11 21 5 3 18 .. 18 .. 87 I 449 59 287 38 191 4 136 20 1,699 190 187 417 162 22 2 93 40 9 3 46 26 19 13 8 43 28 61 ; 714 11 J 300 338 8,660! 126 19 76 ■ii 4,994 274 1,188 134 G30 319 25 793 955 897 During the year there has been an increase of 800 in the total number of persons charged with drunkenness as compared with the preceding year, the average yearly increase for the five years ended the 31st December, 1903, being 656. The number charged with this offence in 1903 was 8,815 (7,977 males and 838 females), whereas in 1904 the number was 9,615 (8,660 males and 955 females). The general increase in arrests for drunkenness is no doubt mostly due to the continued increase of the population and prosperity of the colony, and partly owing to the increased activity of police in removing drunken persons from the streets, several younger and more active sergeants having been placed in charge of the men in cities where the principal increases have occurred. The increases were as follows : Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Islands, 423 ; Napier and East Coast, 89 ; Wanganui and West Coast, 122 ; Wellington and Marlborough, 354 ; Southland, 35. The decreases were as follows : Ntlson and Westland, 61 ; Canterbury and North Otago, 100 ; Dunedin, 62. The discontinuance on the 31st March last of granting licenses to railway refreshment-rooms will no doubt prove beneficial to the public generally, as it will tend to abolish disorderly scenes at railwaystations, prevent accidents to drunken persons, and act as a deterrent to prohibited persons. The following returns show the number of persons arrested for drunkenness and dealt with in the four large centres, and the number arrested in the colony on Sundays. Retuen showing the Number of Peksons arrested for Drunkenness within each Principal Centre during the Years 1903-4, the Number convicted, and Number discharged or withdrawn (Males and Females shown separately). Number arrested, 1903. Number arrested, 1904. Number convicted, 1904. Number discharged or withdrawn, 1904. Centre. M. P. M. P. M. P. M. P. Auckland and suburbs ... Wellington and suburbs... Christchurch and suburbs Dunedin and suburbs 812 1,623 942 546 135 201 195 122 1,176 1,882 912 549 161 302 176 118 1,176 1,881 905 548 161 302 176 118 i 1 7 1 Totals ... 3,923 653 4,519 757 4,510 757 Return showing the Number of each Principal Centre during Pkksons .he Years arrested for Dβ 1903-4 (Males ai INKBNNESi d Fenialf ! on Si is shown INDAYS separa within iely). Number arrested, 1903. Number arrested, 1904. Number convicted, 1904. Number discharged or withdrawn, 1904. Centre. M. P. M. F. M. I F. M. F. dockland and suburbs ... Vellington and suburbs ... ihristchurch and suburbs )unedin and suburbs 25 32 10 11 25 m 10 11 4 3 2 2 38 40 16 5 9 8 1 2 38 40 15 5 9 3 1 2 9 3 1 2 i Totals ... 78 II 99 15 98 15

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Prosecutions against Hotelkeepers. The number of prosecutions against hotelkeepers during the year was a decrease of 91 as compared with the preceding year, and a reduction of 96 as compared with the yearly average number for the preceding five years. There is undoubtedly at present a growing improvement in the management of hotels generally, owing probably to recent amendments in the licensing laws and the fear of reduction obtaining. Hotelkeepers appear to have been specially active in forming associations and employing agents with a view to secure the better management and conduct of hotels. The subjoined returns show the number of prosecutions (with results) in districts and also in the four centres :—

Return showing the Number of Prosecutions against Publicans in each District during the Year 1904, the Number convicted, and the Number discharged or withdrawn.

Return showing the Number of Prosecutions against Publicans within each Principal Centre during the Year 1904, the Number convicted, and the Number discharged or withdrawn.

It is somewhat premature to comment on the working of recent amendments of the licensing laws. Suffice it to say there is every indication of beneficial results, especially as regards drinking during prohibited hours (particularly on Sundays) and the better conduct of hotels. Sly-grog. There were 169 prosecutions during the year for sly-grog selling, resulting in 113 convictions, against 216 prosecutions and 151 convictions during the preceding year. The decrease (47) in the number of prosecutions against sly-grog sellers does not necessarily indicate a decrease in the number of persons engaged in this deplorable and troublesome class of offence, but rather that more secrecy is adopted to prevent detection ; and, although special action is taken from year to year, and frequent prosecutions are instituted and punishments inflicted, the result is somewhat disheartening, as it does not appear to have the desired effect in diminishing the number of such offenders or offences. The difficulty experienced in former years in obtaining evidence in these cases continues, perjury being frequently indulged in to prevent a conviction. The fines imposed on sly-grog sellers during the year 1904 amounted to £1,584, against £946 Is. in 1903 ; but a number of those prosecuted in 1903 were sentenced to imprisonment without the option of a fine. The amounts of fines in the various districts are as follows :— £ s. (I. Auckland .. .. .. .. .. .. 619 0 0 Napier .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 30 0 0 Wanganui .. .. .. .. .. 53 0 0 Wellington .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 25 0 0 Greymouth .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 66 0 0 Christchurch .. .. .. .. .. .. 434 0 0 Dunedin .. .. .. .. .. .. 100 0 0 Invercargill .. .. .. .. .. .. 257 0 0 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. £1,584 0 0

District. Prose utions. Convictions. Discharged or withdrawn. Auckland Napier ... Wanganui Wellington Greymouth Christchurch Dunedin Invercargill Totals 27 27 21 8 21 20 6 10 140 14 13 13 3 14 10 2 10 13 14 8 5 7 10 4 79 61

Centre. Prosecutions. Convictions. Discharged or withdrawn. Auckland and suburbs Wellington and suburbs ... Christchurch and suburbs ... Dunedin and suburbs 10 4 11 1 10 1 5 3 6 1 Totals 26 16 10

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The direct cost to the colony in detecting and prosecuting sly-grog sellers during the year was £1,365 19s. 7d., this being £218 Os. sd. less than the amount of fines imposed. Gaming Offences. There were 115 prosecutions, resulting in 91 convictions, during the year under the gaming laws, against 229 prosecutions and 124 convictions in 1903. " The Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1881," seems to require amendment in the direction of dealing with persons gambling on private paddocks or grounds, as the game of "two-up " is now carried on extensively in such places and the police are powerless in the matter. " The Infant Life Protection Act, 1896." During the year there were 528 registered homes throughout the colony, representing 728 infants, against 544 homes and 854 infants in 1903. Twenty-one deaths occurred in the homes during the year, against 28 in the preceding year. Five licensees were prosecuted for breaches of the Act, and convicted, against 6 prosecutions and 4 convictions in 1903. Three licenses were cancelled, and no neglect of licensees was disclosed at inquests. Conduct of Members of the Force. During the year, excluding those members of the Force concerned in the recent Dunedin robberies, the conduct of the men improved slightly as compared with the preceding year, and the number of punishments it was found necessary to inflict for misconduct was fewer. One man was permitted to resign, and four others were punished for offences in connection with drink during the year. I regret having to report the recent prosecutions of four constables at Dunedin for shopbreaking and receiving, and the conviction of three of them for the latter offence, sentences of three, four, and five years' imprisonment being imposed. Misleading comments have been ventilated in the Press and otherwise, and erroneous conclusions formed by persons apparently ignorant of facts with respect to these prosecutions. It has been alleged that ex-constable Moses was admitted into the Police service through influence, hence proper inquiry was not made into his character ; that he was not only the instigator of the thefts by Dunedin police, but the demoraliser of those concerned therein ; and, further, that influence still predominates in the Police Department and secures the advancement and promotion of the members thereof. It is incumbent, therefore, upon me to briefly explain the circumstances surrounding ex-constable Moses' appointment, the subsequent police prosecutions, and the position as regards influence. Exconstable Moses applied for admittance into the Police service on the Bth January, 1903, and all inquiries into his character were made, and his name placed on the approved candidates list previous to my arrival in the colony. The result of inquiries showed that the ex-constable had served over a year in the Sixth New Zealand Contingent in South Africa, and subsequently nine months in the Permanent Militia, during which periods his character was good. His file appears to have been forwarded to local police, South Canterbury, for further inquiry, Moses having previously been engaged in agricultural pursuits in various parts of that district, his relatives also residing there. A favourable report was received from the inquiring constable, who was apparently ignorant of two previous convictions having been recorded against Moses, five and ten years previously, when he was twelve and seventeen years of age. On this report, combined with Moses' good record in the services referred to, he was considered an eligible candidate, and his name was placed on candidates list for selection. The applicant remained in the Permanent Militia with good conduct until his appointment in the Police service on the Ist May, 1904, and was posted to Dunedin two months later. From the fact that Moses' name remained one year and nearly four months on candidates list previous to his appointment, it is apparent that influence cannot be associated with his admission into the service. It is to be regretted that more discreet inquiries were'not conducted by the local constable, and records searched, so that Moses' convictions could have been traced and his admission into the service debarred. I, however, call attention to the fact that ex-constable Moses had nine years' good character previous to joining the Police service and five years' good character when the constable (who has now left the service) conducted his inquiry, the usual qualification for admission into police forces being five years' good character which can be verified. The system adopted at present in ascertaining the previous character of candidates for employment in the Police service is practically as stringent as it can be, and much more so than is generally adopted by other police forces ; but, although it would prevent such as ex-constable Moses entering the service, Ido not suggest the impossibility of a mistake occurring. In addition to the previous system, all records of convictions are searched, and the finger-print system of identification has been introduced, each selected candidate being finger-printed, so that with my personal supervision of all inquiries made into their whole histories I fail to see what further can be done. As regards ex-constable Moses being the instigator of the crimes in question and also the demoraliser of his colleagues, there is no foundation whatsoever for such suggestions. From careful personal investigation and admissions of the convicted constables I am satisfied beyond doubt that a system of pilfering by several constables has been carried on during the last four or five years, and that it has increased in magnitude until the arrests were effected ; but, as the thefts were infrequent, and the property stolen small in quantity and of little value, the losses were not discovered until more constables joined in the conspiracy, when larger quantities were stolen, which led to the exposure.

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From the fact, therefore, that the other constables convicted were by their own admission engaged in various thefts some considerable time previous to Moses being posted to that district in July, 1904, it cannoi be concluded that he was the instigator of the crimes or demoraliser of the others concerned therein ; in fact, there is no reason to believe he would have reverted to crime but for the others being engaged in it. Ueferring to the suggestion that influence is of securing appointments in the Police service and subsequent advancement and promotion therein, I can only say (and without fear of contradiction) that since my appointment two years ago there has not been a single appointment, advancement, or promotion effected through influence, nor, as far as I know, during my predecessor's time ; and I can only believe that persons making such assertions do so either from total ignorance of the present administration of the service or with intent to circulate what they be untrue. As a result of careful investigations I can only ascribe the reason for the systematic thefts by constables remaining undetected for such a lengthened period to the laxity of supervision of the men in the Dunedin district, a laxity which evidently does not exist in other districts. Owing to the continued increase of the population and consequent development of police-work I have carefully considered the present requirements of the service and formulated a scheme prepared for the better supervision of the men and protection of the public and property, which will be submitted for favourable consideration and approval. Strength and Distribution or the Force. As regards the present strength and distribution 4 of the Force (vide Appendix B), continued demands for additional police protection are still being received, and owing to the gradual increase of the population it is evident a number of those demands are justifiable. I have recommended an augmentation of five sergeants and twenty constables to supply the present demands, but in the event of the new system of supervision recommended being approved of, an additional augmentation of four sergeants and fourteen constables will be required. FINGER-PRINT BRANCH. On the 31st March last the finger-print collection consisted of the prints of 4,200 offenders. During the year 72 persons claiming to be first offenders were by means of their finger-prints identified as previously convicted persons. Of these identifications 5 took place at Sydney and the remainder in this colony, 3 of the latter being identifications for the New South Wales police. During the year the finger-prints of 61 remand prisoners were submitted to the Branch by the police of the various districts of the colony for inquiry, and of these 20 were identified as previous offenders, and their whole criminal histories disclosed to the inquiring officer. The identifications (72) are not so numerous as last year (117), owing to the fact that persons convicted of simple drunkenness and common assault are not now finger-printed, and it is also probable that criminals have already realised the uselessness of denying their identity. In February last a most important case demonstrating the value of the system occurred in Wellington. The house of a resident was, during her absence, broken into and ransacked. Entrance was effected by breaking a window and forcing back the catch. The detective investigating the case, on visiting the house on the morning after the robbery, discovered on the glass of the window through which entrance was effected, a finger-print. The portion of the pane with the print thereon was carefully removed and taken to the Finger-print Branch. The police had no suspicion against any one in particular. After careful investigation the Finger-print Branch reported that the print on the glass was identical with the third right finger of a criminal whose prints had been received in the Branch some months previously from Auckland Gaol. On this information alone the suspect was arrested, and on evidence as to the identity of the print on the glass with that of the prisoner's third right finger being given he was committed for trial. At the Supreme Court, before His Honour the Chief Justice, the finger-print experts proved positively that the print on the glass was identical with that of the prisoner's taken at Auckland Gaol and must have been made by him. Lengthy cross-examination failed to shake that evidence in the slightest degree, and on this evidence alone prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to three years' imprisonment with hard labour. At Hokitika in November last a case arose which clearly demonstrates the necessity for alteration in the Prisons Act giving authority for gaol officials to photograph and finger-print prisoners on remand or awaiting trial. On the 22nd November, 1904, a man, whose antecedents were unknown to the police, was charged with assault and robbery and remanded for inquiry. The offence being a serious one, the police were anxious to know something of his previous character, and accordingly applied to the prison authorities for his finger-prints. The prisoner refused to permit his finger-prints to be taken, and there being no regulations in existence empowering prison officers to use necessary force in obtaining fingerprints or photographs of prisoners under remand or awaiting trial, the previous character of the accused was not ascertained, and. he was dealt with as a first offender and sentenced to seven days' imprisonment. Immediately after his conviction his finger-prints were obtained, when it was at once discovered in the Finger-print Branch that he was identical with a man of another name who six months previously had been sentenced to three months' imprisonment for a precisely similar offence. Had this previous conviction been known before the passing of the latter sentence the prisoner would no doubt have received the sentence he merited, which would certainly not have been seven days' imprisonment. the interest of justice it has been found necessary in England to make regulations empowering prison oflicers to use such force as may be necessary in taking the finger-prints of remanded or unconvicted prisoners, and considering it is only on special occasions, when prisoners are unknown to the police and have committed an indictable offence, that their finger-prints are required, it is very essential that similar regulations should be made and enforced in this colony; otherwise unknown criminals, especially from other States, will commit serious crimes, and escape recognition and the pumsiiment they deserve.

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Photography being indispensable to the success of the finger-print system, the erection of a dark room in the office of the Branch has proved very convenient. All photographs required of prisoners for inquiry purposes are now taken by members of the service, and photographs received from other police forces are copied by them and circulated in the colony, thus effecting a considerable saving in expenditure and having the work executed much more expeditiously. It will be observed, therefore, that this system of identification is working most satisfactorily, and will prove of greater value the longer it exists. Training of Candidates, etc. The system adopted of training candidates continues to work well, and its effect on the men who have passed through it is very marked. The benefit to the public arising from the instruction in ambulance-work received by every man who passes through the depot is demonstrated from time to time by the efficient " first aid " rendered in cases of accidents, &c. Instruction in the system of taking the finger-prints of persons for the purposes of identification is vow imparted to all men passing through the depot. The number of eligible candidates continues to be very much in excess of the vacancies to be filled. At the commencement, of the year under review there were several hundreds of eligible candidates on the list. During the year there were 114 fresh candidates, who, after inquiry, measurement, <fee, were found t) be eligible for the service. Fifty men were taken on during the year. The nationalities, religions, and occupations of these 50 men are as follows : — Nationalities : New-Zealand-born, 37 ; English, 2 ; Scotch, 4 ; Irish, 4 ; Australian, 8. Religions : Church of England, 19 ; Presbyterians, 16 ; Roman Catholics, 13 ; Wesleyans, 2. Occupations : Labourers, 20 ; farmers, 3 ; miners, 6 ; artillerymen, 3 ; ex-constables, 2 ; bushmen, 2 ; asylum warders, 2 ; grocers' assistant, 1 ; carter, 1 ; platelayer, 1 ; plumber, 1 ; enginedriver, 1; woollen-manufacturer, 1; carpenter, 1; shepherd, 1; butcher, 1; ploughman, 1; steward, 1 ; blacksmith, 1. There is urgent for the erection'Jof a training-depot, as the work is much hampered through/want of accommodation.' Police Provident Fund. On'the'Slst March last the amount standing to the credit of the fund was £24,875 11s. 2d., being an increase on the year of £3,081 19s. lid. On the same date there were on the fund 3 ex-Inspectors, 14 ex-sergeants, 22 ex-constables, 2 ex-detectives, and 2 widows and 3 orphans of deceased constables, their aggregate annual allowances being £4,138 12s. Bd. Since the Act came into force the Government have saved the sum of £12,508 14s. 9d. in the form of retiring-allowances which would no doubt have been paid had it not existed. Stations, etc. During the year the following works have been completed : — New Buildings. Porangahau ... ... Lock-up. | Sumner ... ... ... Lock-up. Greymouth ... ... Offices. Akaroa ... ... ... Quarters, <fee. Rangiora ... ... Lock-up. Invercargill ... ... Stable. Additions, Repairs, <&c. Shortland ... ... Improvements. Reefton ... ... ... Sanitary Otorohanga ... ... Additions, &c. Improvements. Whakatane ... ... Alterations. Kaikoura... ... ... Improvements. Gisborne ... ... ... Additions. Culverden ... ... Additions. Dannevirke ... ... „ Bingsland ... ... Improvements. Normanby ... ... Alterations. St. Albans ... ... Alterations. Hawera ... ... ... Additions, &c. Ashburton ... ... Improvements. Hunterville ... ... Alterations. Temuka ... ... ... Additions. Upper Hutt ... ... Drainage. Dunedin, King Street ... „ Lower Hutt ... ... Alterations, &c. „ South ... ... „ Picton ... ... ... Improvements. Timaru ... ... ... Quarters. Denniston ... ... Alterations. New lock-ups are in course of erection at Te Awamutu, Taumarunui, Cambridge, New Brighton, Belfast, and St. Andrews. Additions and improvements to the following stations are in hand : Carlyle Street (Napier), Waipukurau, Opunake, Palmerston North, Te Nui, Amberley, Timaru, Pleasant Point, and Dunedin. New stations are required at Whangarei, Helensville, Avondale, Raglan, Kihikihi, Waiuku, Karangahake, Taumarunui, Tolaga Bay, Newtown (Wellington South), Carterton, Collingwood, Addington, Waimate, Ngapara, Clinton (in place of one destroyed by fire), and Gore. The additions to Lambton Quay and Mount Cook Stations are much needed; and the single men's quarters at Christchurch, which are old and insanitary, require replacing by new. A new station for the accommodation of about twenty men, with sergeant's residence, is also much needed in the Newton district of Auckland, to supersede the three small stations now in that locality. Three sections have been leased by the Government from the Auckland City Council for the erection thereon of the required station, and this should be put in hand without delay.

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Cost of Police, etc. A return is herewith annexed (Appendix D) giving proportion of police to the population and the cost of police per inhabitant in each of the Australian States and in this colony. Inspectors' Reports. Extracts from the annual reports of the Inspectors in charge of districts are hereto annexed. I have, &c, W. Dinnie, Commissioner of Police.

EXTRACTS FROM ANNUAL REPORTS OF OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF DISTRICTS. Inspector J. Cullen, Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Islands. The authorised strength of the district on the 31st March was 142 of all ranks, an increase of 7 over that of the preceding year. Newmarket, Newton, Ponsonby, and Waihi Stations have benefited by the increase in the strength. The casualties during the year were as follow : 2 sergeants and 2 constables retired on superannuation, whilst 8 constables and 1 district constable resigned. I am pleased to be able to report that less sly-grog selling is carried on in the King-country at the present time than has been the case for many years past. New cells are being erected at Cambridge, Te Awamutu, and Taumarunui, and the old Brigade Office, Auckland, has been converted into a residence for the Inspector. The proposed new central station at Newton, near the reservoir, needs to be taken in hand at once, in order to provide accommodation for the increased staff that is required to give proper police protection to Newton, Grey Lynn, and Arch Hill districts. A new station and office are very urgently needed at Kihikihi, where a most unsanitary house, situate over a quarter of a mile from the lock-up, is rented and occupied by the constable in charge. The Department has a very fine reserve at Kihikihi, whereon, as early as possible, a residence should be erected in proximity to the lock-up. New stations are also required at Raglan, Waiuku, Avondale, Karangahake, Taumarunui, and Helensville, new cells being (in addition) required at the two last-named stations, and at Whangarei. With the exception of some of the junior members, the conduct of the Force in this district during the past year has been fair, and the numerous duties outside ordinary police-work have been satisfactorily performed.

Inspector E. Macdonell, Napier and East Coast. The return of crime for the year ending the 31st December, 1904, shows that 1,898 offences of various kinds were reported to the police, as against 1,907 during 1903, a decrease of 9. Of these 1,837 were arrested or summoned, there being only 66 undetected offences. The following offences show the principal increases over last year, viz. : Burglary, 25 ; drunkenness, 89 ; indecent exposure, 7 ; obstructing and resisting police, 10 ; sly-grog selling, 10 ; theft, 7 thefts from dwellings, 8. The principal decreases are —abusive language, 14 ; assaults, common, 22 ; assaults on police, 6 deserting wives and children, 10 ; false pretences, 9 ; gaming offences, 27 ; malicious injury to property, 18 ; obscene language, 19 ; refusing to quit licensed premises, 23 ; thefts of cattle and horses, 7 ; sheep-stealing, 6 ; vagrancy, 19. Re the increase shown in drunkenness, Gisborne, Hastings, and Dannevirke show or account for the principal portion of it, while in Napier there was a slight decrease. For the first time I have to report unusual trouble with the Natives in the Bay of Plenty—viz., two serious assaults on the police, and also on several Europeans; in each case the offenders were promptly and well dealt with by the Court, which I hope will tend to prevent a repetition of such offences. Forty-eight informations were laid during the year ending the 31st March, 1905, against licensees for breaches of the licensing laws, resulting in 16 convictions, 28 dismissals, and 4 withdrawn. Besides the above breaches by licensees, 77 informations were laid against members of the public for minor breaches of the same laws —viz., breaches of prohibition orders, supplying prohibited persons, and persons found on licensed premises during prohibited hours, &c. —resulting in 63 convictions and 14 dismissals. Eleven informations were laid for sly-grog selling, resulting in 8 convictions and 3 withdrawals. Fines amounting to £30 were imposed. There were 89 fires reported during the year, as against 83 the previous year. A number of them appear suspicious and give considerable trouble. One man was convicted of arson and sentenced to three years' hard labour.

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Some transfers of members of the service were made during the year, which I have no doubt were beneficial to the service. Ormond Station was closed as unsuitable, and a station opened at Te Karaka, the present terminus of the Poverty Bay Railway ; this undoubtedly is an improvement. I am pleased to say that, with few exceptions, the conduct of the Force as a whole in this district was satisfactory. The return of crime for the year will show that they were attentive to their duties.

Inspector N. Kiely, Wanganui and West Coaj3T. Since my last report a new station has been handed over to the Department at Hunterville. Extensive repairs were carried out at the Palmerston North and Hawera Stations. The lock-up at Palmerston North has been added to; several new cells have been built, including separate cells and yard for female prisoners. The offences returns for the year 1905 show an increase of 135 offences on the year previous. The increase was chiefly in drunkenness, 122 ; arson and attempted arson, 7 ; disobeying orders of Court, 19 ; failing to support relatives, 18 ; game, illegally shooting, 11 ; illegally on premises, 12 ; indecent exposure, &c, 24 ; obscene and profane language, 13 ; obstructing and resisting police, 17 ; opiumsmoking, &c, 12 ; perjury, 3 ; rape, 3 ; receiving stolen property, 10 ; sly-grog selling, 3 ; vagrancy, 31. The decreases in offences are as follows : Assault, common, 49 ; cruelty to animals, 18 ; gaming offences. 15; obstructing thoroughfares, 19 ; theft, undescribed, 34; theft by servants, 26; trespass, 15. Offences reported, 2,792 ; detected, 2,720 ; undetected, 72. Several serious cases of breaking and entering occurred, but with the exception of one or two cases the offenders were all arrested and convicted. In former years large quantities of liquor was consumed at Maori tangis, particularly in the New Plymouth and Hawera subdistricts, causing considerable trouble among the Natives and endless worry to the police, who were powerless to put a stop to it. Thanks to the legislation of the past year or two such drunkenness is now at an end. Several prosecutions have taken place during the year for introducing liquor into Maori kaingas, which had a very beneficial effect. Complaints of sly-grog selling have been less frequent than in the year previous, though I am inclined to believe it is still carried on to some extent. In many of the licensing districts under my supervision the hotelkeepers have formed an association which has for its object the better management and conduct of hotels. This, together with the amendment of the licensing laws of last session has greatly improved the conduct of hotels. At the present time there are very few breaches of the Licensing Act in this district. The strength of the Force in this district on the 31st March was as follows : 1 Inspector, 4 sergeants, 56 constables, 3 detectives. The conduct of the members of the Force in this district has been very good during the past twelve months. On the whole, the men are sober and attentive to their duties.

Inspector J. W. Ellison, Wellington and Marlborough. During the last year the district has been fairly free from crime of a serious nature. The case of murder referred to in last year's report which was undetected on the 31st March, 1904, was successfully followed up during the past year and the offender brought to justice. There has been a general decrease in the more serious class of offences, but the year 1904 showed an increase of 354 arrests for drunkenness as compared with 1903. This increase arose entirely in the Mount Cook district of Wellington, other stations showing a small decrease. Out of a total of 4,629 offences reported in 1904, only 185 remain undetected, and many of those are doubtful and trivial. The decrease in undetected offences and crimes of a serious nature tends to show that the detectives and uniform police have exerted themselves for the public good, but I also attribute these decreases in a great measure to the firm manner in which the Magistrate at Wellington has dealt with idle, lazy, confirmed criminals who have been brought before him under " The Police Offences Act, 1901." The Act in question has had a most salutory effect in deterring idle criminals from congregating together and hatching crime. The increase of arrests for drunkenness is due in a great measure to the class of persons addicted to drink who have had a prosperous year and plenty of work, and in some measure to the activity of the constables on duty. The Infant Life Protection Act continues to receive a great deal of attention, and has been productive of much good. A very great drawback in this district is the want of accommodation at the head station in Wellington. As I have previously reported, very great difficulty is experienced in carrying out the various duties for want of proper office accommodation and room. I beg to seriously urge that substantial addition may be made to this police building during the ensuing twelve months. I also strongly recommend that a house and land for a station should be purchased at Newtown (South Wellington), and the same at Petone ; both places are in urgent need of better accommodation. The Department is now paying very high rents at these places for very indifferent houses, and the police requirements are quickly increasing with the increase of population. During the past year a sergeant has been added to Manners Street Station, a constable to Lower Hutt, and another to Lambton Quay Station, in order to keep pace with additional work and increase of population. I beg to ask for an additional detective and two constables for Wellington, another constable for Carterton, and one for Petone. 2—H. 16.

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The conduct of the men in the district has been on the whole good, but a few of them have shown little energy or tact for police-work. The detectives deserve considerable credit for good work done during the year, and many of the uniform men have exhibited commendable activity and vigilance. I again, as in my last annual report, beg to refer to the vast increase of clerical work passing through this office (and probably other districts have similar experiences), all of which must be attended to by the Inspector, taking up the greater part of his time, and thereby limiting very materially the attention he can give to active police duties and outdoor supervision of the district generally.

Inspector E. Wilson, Nelson and Westland. The strength of the Force on the 31st March, 1905, was —1 Inspector, 6 sergeants, 36 constables, 1 detective, and 1 district constable, being one sergeant above the authorised strength. During the year 1 sergeant and 1 constable were transferred here from other police districts, 1 sergeant and 1 constable were transferred within the district, and 1 constable was dismissed, while the sergeant above alluded to is waiting here to retire on pension. The conduct of the men on the whole has been good. Our statistics are, for 1903, offences reported, 743 ; and for 1904, offences reported, 695 ; out of which number 556 were summarily convicted and 18 were committed for trial, 12 of the latter being convicted, thus leaving 36 offences undetected. This works out as less than 5 per cent, undetected of the total cases reported. During the year there have been 21 prosecutions against publicans, 14 convictions resulting therefrom ; and fines amounting to £66 were imposed for sly-grog selling, as against 35 prosecutions with 18 convictions and £60 fines in 1903. The amendments to the Licensing Act of last year are becoming generally known, and a number of prosecutions, almost all resulting in convictions being recorded, is having a very salutary effect, and publicans and the general public are becoming very careful. The amendment in the Act giving Magistrates discretionary powers as regards indorsing licenses for'breaches of the Act is already lessening the difficulties of obtaining convictions ; in fact, I have had some cases in which publicans pleaded guilty, knowing they had good reputations, and the Magistrates took that into consideration and did not indorse their licenses. A police-station will require to be erected at Runanga, and a constable sent there. Provision will also require to be made for a station and constable at Granity Township or Millerton. Both places are two miles and a half apart and growing rapidly.

Inspector R. J. Gillies, Canterbury and North Otago. On the 31st March last the strength of the Force was 122 men of all ranks. The total is made up as follows : Inspector, 1 ; Sub-Inspector, 1 ; sergeants, 12 ; constables, 103 ; detectives, 5 : also district constable, 1 ; surgeon, 1 ; and matron, 1. The casualties were —dismissal, 1 ; resignation, 1 ; defaulters, 24. The annual return for the year ending the 31st December, 1904, shows a decrease of 59 offences compared with those reported for the previous year. The total number of offences reported during the year ending the 31st December, 1904, was 3,913. The total number of persons apprehended or summoned for the same period was 3,788. The increases in offences were—abusive language, 8 ; cruelty to animals, 13 ; disorderly conduct, 12 ; false declarations, 9 ; gaming, 8 ; illegally on premises, 13 ; neglected children, 8 : sly-grog selling, 33 ; theft, undescribed, 71 ; and theft from dwellings, 11. The decreases as compared with the return for previous year were —absconding from industrial schools, 10 ; assaults, common, 21 ; assaults, indecent, 9 ; attempting to commit rape, 1 ; burglary and breaking into shops, 6 ; disobeying orders of Courts, 39 ; drunkenness, 100; false pretences, 17 ; indecent exposure, 11 ; attempted rape, 5; theft by servants, 20 ; theft of cattle, 3 ; trespass, 20. There were 219 thefts of bicycles during the year, 197 having been recovered and returned to the owners. Twenty-one bicycles are still left unclaimed. The owners are mostly to be blamed for leaving their bicycles unattended or without having locks to secure them. In connection with the thefts of bicycles alone 28,470 " stop " notices were issued, and 10,950 crime reports ; these were prepared and circulated from the Detective Office. Special steps were taken towards the detection of sly-grog selling ; forty prosecutions ensued, against 32 males and 8 females. The aggregate amount of fines imposed was £434. With regard to these prosecutions the police obtained the evidence without having to employ informers. This record shows an increase of 33 against figures for 1903. The conduct of the men durinp the year has, with few exceptions, been satisfactory.

Inspector T. O'Brien, Dunedin. The total number of offences reported during the year was 1,653, showing a decrease of 210 as compared with the preceding year ; and the total number of persons arrested, or proceeded against by summons, was 1,561, leaving 92 offences in which neither arrests nor summonses resulted. It will thus be seen that the detective branch of the service has been fairly successful during the year,

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It is with pleasure I note that a substantial decrease has taken place in the following oSences as compared with the preceding year, viz. : Obstructing police, sly-grog selling, stone-throwing, theft undescribed, theft from dwellings, deserting and failing to provide for wives and children, disobeying orders on board ships, disorderly and riotous conduct, drunkenness (62), and gaming offences ; but against that it has to be mentioned that a few of the more serious class of offences (such as arson, assault and robbery, breaches of the peace, smoking and being in possession of opium) show a slight increase; but, on the whole, I think the district may be congratulated upon its immunity from crime. The Licensing Act Amendment Act of 1904 will materially assist the police, inasmuch as it gives them an insight into the places to which liquor is being sent, and puts them on the alert respecting some of the persons receiving such liquor. Licensed hotels have during the year been remarkably well conducted, and except in a few trivial matters there has been no necessity for Court proceedings respecting the licensees. It is, however, to be remarked that many persons who are the subjects of prohibition orders have been found in hotels, and have actually been supplied with liquor, but in no instance has it been shown that the licensee or his servants knew of the existence of the order. The provision in the Amendment Act of 1904 making it an offence for a prohibited person to have liquor in his possession is a good one. I have great pleasure in stating that drunkenness amongst young persons is considerably on the decrease. The conduct of private billiard-rooms has considerably improved since the coming into operation of the provision in the Police Offences Act regulating the hours of closing, persons found in such places after hours, &c. The Second-hand Dealers Act has proved itself to be a very useful measure, and has fully realised all that its supporters could hope for it. The Infant Life Protection Act continues to perform its function in every way. The children placed at such homes are invariably found in a clean and healthy condition, and the home-keepers seem to take a special interest in any children placed under their care. Very few deaths have been recorded. The casualties during the year have been nil. The closing on the 31st March last of the railway refreshment-rooms at the Dunedin Eailwaystation will, it is anticipated, tend to do away with many of the disorderly scenes enacted at this place, particularly on Saturday nights, and at certain other times when the city hotels are directed by law to be closed. It is thought the travelling public will not in any way be inconvenienced thereby, and that it will be conducive to the comfort of persons whose business takes them to the station for purposes other than that of procuring liquor.

Inspector A. J. Mitchell, Southland. I beg to again call attention to the necessity for amending section 15 of " The Indictable Offences Summary Jurisdiction Amendment Act, 1900," so that two Justices may have the same power as a Stipendiary Magistrate in committing an accused person for sentence. It is argued that as the law at present stands two Justices have no power to commit for trial a person accused of an indictable offence. A case of murder, in which the offender suicided immediately afterwards, occurred in the Waikaia subdistrict. Insanity was undoubtedly the cause. There is a higher percentage than usual of undetected breaking into huts, &c, in different parts of the district, but after careful inquiries the circumstances of each were found to be such that non-detection in no way reflected on the efficiency of members of the Force in whose subdistricts the offences occurred. The conduct of members of the Force in this district, with two minor exceptions, has been good. Sections 42 (persons found on licensed premises after closing-hours) and 43 (as to prohibited persons) of " The Licensing Act, 1904," have proved of valuable assistance in enforcing the law as regards the liquor traffic.

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APPENDIX A. Return showing the Number of Offences reported, Persons apprehended, and Comparison of Crime during the Year ending 31st December, 1903, and Year ending 31st December, 1904.

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1903. 1904. Oltences. CO CD is a'a Sis ~<tl u ao o 0 CO CD S a'° •ssat; ao a az, o> Z« CD « ca n im 8 ■3 S » « a jh q ■H « 2 Persi Cor miti for T >ns apprehend) Q;ed rial. Summi Convic ed or summoned. h __ __ 3? « V D I ! a flr 2 a irily I Dis- . 3 g 3 a sted. charged. ; £ 8-g g ; "etjtfH ft 5 F. M. P. \§ d o I Number of I Convictions amongst those ! committed for Trial. M. F. 3 0 u s a GO a ■-. o 2 Q M. F. M. Abandoning children Abduction Abortion, procuring Abortion, att.-mpt to procure Absconding from apprenticeship l Absconding from bail Absconding from industrial schools Abusive and threatening language 3 s 2 3 99 278 19 7 910 53 61 2 89 47 9 12 4 3 I 7 I 4 1 86 294 29 8 890 38 45 3 77 53 3 15 4 2 1 7 1 4 1 6 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 7 1 4 1 5 1 4 1 2 1 75 294 22 5 882 33 44 3 77 47 3 13 4 68 199 1 1 588 4 10 3 74 2 4 236 11 11 75 294 19 5 883 32 44 3 77 56 3 10 4 2 13 Arson Arson, attempted Assaults, common Assaults, indecent 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 Bestiality, attempted .. Bigamy Breaches of the peace .. .. ; Burglary, breaking into shops, dwellings, &c. Carnally knowing girls Carnally knowing, attempted .. Cattle and horse stealing (see Theft). Cattle-maiming Causing b idily harm by negligence Coinage offences Concealment of birth Conspiring to defraud Conspiring to defeat the course of justice Contempt of Court Counselling the commission of an off-nce Cruelty to animals Cruelty to children Cutting and wounding.. Damaging police uniform Deserting and failing to provide for wives and children Deserters and stragglers from H.M. ships Deserters and absentees from merchant vessels Detaining postal packets 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.. Dissuading a witness from giving evidence Disturbing meetings and congregations Drunkenness Escaping from custodyFailing to support parents and near relatives False declarations False pretences Fish, illegally taking Forgery and uttering Fortune-telling Furious riding and driving Game, illegally shooting Gaming offences Illegally on premises Illegal sale of arms Illegally pawning Incest Indecent exposure or behaviour 16 ii 13 16 10 1 2 21 24 i 21 86 1 17 18 20 15 16 2 47 1 10 1 8 3 60 2 1 5 10 7 1 1 33 1 3 1 1 1 12 6 3 6 3 25 1 1 2 501 340 15 2 15 ■2 2 14 1 15 2 1 10 1 4 475 357 4 475 219 3 1 4 479 225 "3 1 2 130 2 423 48 7 12 48 29 i 4 105 2 17 '20 7 5 17 3 16 3 13 1 1 2 2 16 3 8 1 10 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 5 17 2 1 1 1 5 17 15 2 4 1 i 1 1 5 17 2 3 3 16 2 3 1 1 2 2 13 4 12 4 15 4 15 3 4 12 i 4 16 "l '.'. 3 190 16 4 30 599 183 . 9 5 22 547 182 9 5 4 22 474 145 3 3 2 19 :: 304 15 41 4 1 3 148 i 189 10 5 22 474 4 1 7 7 "8 52 h 36 43 25 .. 25 | .. 25 7 95 90 90 78 j .. 12 90 1 28 61 598 4 38 47 492 4 4 38 40 447 '38i :: 39 .. 302 ! 22 1 118 4 38 40 447 1 4 10 14 106 5 3 I 9 6 2 4 ; .. 6 2 6 378 1 282 1 282 1 252 12 16 1 2 282 1 96 *• 54 42 42 36 9 45 12 8,815 ! 5 246 9,615 19 279 9,615 . .. 18 U 276 8,646 936 4 .. 156 24 31 3 80 2 it'; 9,615 18 276 ii 800 14 33 56 265 92 76 10 62 43 229 182 1 3 5 270 20 177 49 83 22 17 163 39 49 .. 76 ' 71 l 5 87 7 34 6 1 26 9 2 2 22 162 49 76 17 23 30 88 43 i i 62 "l "7 60 51 116 172 2 2 4 273 60 .. 51 115 172 2 2 2 4 3 272 1 57 42 91 143 12 3 9 24 17 2 60 51 115 172 2 2 4 272 10 2 '.'. "s 12 iis 10 1 i 20 2 2 '.'. "3 l l 235 15 15 i

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APPENDIX A—continued. Return showing the Number of Offences reported, Persons apprehended, and Comparison of Crime during the Year ending 31st December, 1903, and Year ending 31st December, 1904— continued.

13

Offences. 1903. ■ a a £ CD •gSs Sag c CO CD s§» ■gwS Bog a_ ai .is a ■S cs h <*< o ■S- as u _ . CO a a <d a 5S m a: Z3 O W S go Persons a] Committed for Trial. I 1904. mi-ehended or summoned. * -j Conviction's - •§ a'§3! amongst a o a o those Summarily Dis- a g a g committed Convicted. charged. S a|j g ° for Trial . g I M. F. M. ! F. H "o M. V. § I CD 3. cC 0 V. o CD a M. F. Introducing liquor into Maori Pa Keeping disorderly houses and brothels Killing animals with intent to steal the carcases Killing ssal Libel Malicious injury to property Maliciously killing animals Manslaughter Murder Murder, attempted Neglected and criminal children Obscene and profane language .. Obstructing and resisting police Obstructing railway-lines Obstructing railway officers Obstructing thoroughfares Offensive publications Opium, smoking or being in possession of Perjury Personating electors Poison 1 tying Prison offences (loitering about and communicating with prisoners) Rape Rape, attempted Receiving stolen property Refusing to quit licensed premises Rescuing cattle from being impounded Restricted immigrants, unlawfully landing Sacrilege Sending false telegrams Sheep-stealing (see Theft). 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 by servants Theft from dwellings Theft from the person Theft of cattle and horses Theft of dogs Theft of pigs Theft of sheep Theft of post-letters Threatening letters Threatening to shoot Travelling by rail and refusing to pay fares Trespass Unlawful assembly Vagrancy Witchoraft 7 17 22 121 17 1 3 481 13 6 5 3 167 773 177 15 11 183 1 27 2 2 4 26 4 3 21 2 1 433 7 13 3 2 144 783 269 17 13 105 3 80 33 1 2 10 7 44 90 32 3 3 21 2 1 423 7 13 3 2 144 782 267 16 13 105 8 80 31 1 2 10 7 40 90 31 3 19 1 9 4 1.7 1 2 9 1 2 2 1 2 4 3 5 343 4 93 675 243 14 8 100 3 63 2 14 83 22 2 1 1 7 12 47 50 5 i 2 2 2 1 72 1 3 6 51 16 2 4 10 17 7 1 3 8 6 7 1 7 2 2 I 4 2 1 2 3 21 2 1 430 7 14 3 2 147 782 267 16 13 112 3 80 31 1 2 10 7 40 90 31 3 1 1 2 1 2 1 12 1 6 2 15 1 3 1 7 10 92 2 2 " - 2 80 6 3 22 15 2 4! 1 23 '78 2 1 2 'io '31 1 8 1 3 "3 3 "3 "s 1 220 29 1 2 51 114 110 32 61 1,755 13 8 99 249 63 80 6 2 21 7 2 3 22 1 178 14 1 171 14 1 2 90 11 22 42 3 13 1 169 14 1 42 2 37 114 71 40 10 1,770 25 13 30 331 90 68 10 10 29 25 2 37 114 71 39 39 1,326 24 12 25 227 71 52 6 6 23 25 i 2 80 11 "2 102 70 21 27 945 7 8 6 126 13 9 3 5 4 •2 32 2 6 3 111 1 i2 8 8 180 5 4 9 31 18 15 3 1 3 5 1 2 1 11 1 2 37 116 71 39 39 1,329 24 12 25 232 72 53 6 6 26 25 "l 66 6 7 45 27 17 1 1 4 3 S 15 12 5 14 39 21 8 54 36 29 1 9 4 1 7 5 1 ~82 27 69 *12 19 23 "4 22 4 8 8 18 "*2 "7 19 *7 19 3 17 i 2 "7 19 "4 "3 159 1 567 116 116 70 4 42 116 43 1 672 1 672 1 i •• I 419 1 176 57 19 672 1 105 1 I Totals 3.3 1207 20,736 21,066 20,065 i 789 15,823 1605 1696 |172 20,118 590 18 1,537 ; Inc. 130

H.—l6.

APPENDIX B. Return showing the Strength and Distribution of the New Zealand Police Force on the 31st March, 1905.

14

Stations. en Q 9 ft co a SO 6 , o - © I a: a, a| |© S n a a o to a IT, S I $ la 3 I .£ -2 i o ee £ 03 ! © .Q © o 5 S "3 ' j 00 +-» © .231 US : h a '• o I ■j S ©•s g-S IS a " o O 3 § is i S| co Stations. o £ s to C , o n m a M i . a I S ! $ la § s i s 5 1 a) "S* © .2 . © i «a it™ tiC _/. CJ — hm '" d ! ■** O © ©I o © £ 3 O '.23 In a P. o I CD I a - i gS » a ■a * 9 ° ■W.W O CD 8 C4 h w S5 ° * ™ ° w a Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of IslandsAuckland Aratapu Avondale Cambridge Coromandel Cowes, Waiheke IsDargaville Devonport Eden Terrace .. Ellerslie Freeman's Bay .. Hamilton Helensville Hikurangi Hobsonville Hohnura Howick Huntly Kaikohe Kaitaia Karangahake Kawakawa Kawhia Kihikihi Mangawai Mangonui Mercer Mt. Roskill R )ad Newmarket Newton Ngaruawahia Northcote Ohaeawai Okupu.Gt. Barrier Onehunga Ongaruhe Otahuhu Otorohanga Paeroa Pahi Panmure Papakura Parnell Ponsonby Port Albert Pukekohe Raglan Rawene Russell Shortland Surrey Hills Taumurunui Te Aroha Te Awamutu Te Kuiti Thames Waihi Waikino Waipu Waiuku Warkworth Whangarei Whangaroa Whitianga 1 1 3 5 39 1 1 1 2 1 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 8 1 1 6 1 52 1 1 1 2 1 3 3 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 12 1 1 i i i l i i 1 Napier and East Coast— contd. Porongahau Port Awanui Rotorua Spit (Napier) Taradale Taupo Tauranga Te Karaka Te Puke Te Whaiti Tokaanu Tolaga Bay Tuparoa Waikaremoana .. Waipawa Waipiro Waipukurau Wairoa Weber Whakatane Woodville Totals Wanganui and West Coast— Wanganui Aramoho Ashhurst Bull's Eltham Feilding Fox ton Hawera Hunterville Inglewood Kimbolton Manaia Mangaweka Marton Moawhango Mokau New Plymouth .. Normanby Opunake Patea Palmerston North Raetihi Rahotu Rongotea Shannon Stratford Taihape Terrace End (Palmerston N.) .. Waitara Waitotara Waverley Whangamomona i 1 .. .. | .. .. .,i .. ... .. .. I .. .. .. 6 6 1 i 1 1 2 39 10 I • 1 1 1 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 5 1 1 1 6 1 1 1 1 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 i 2 i l i 2 46 13 1 1 1 1 3 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7 1 1 1 8 1 1 1 1 3 2 1 1 1 1 i i ii i i 4 i l 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 1 1 2 1 i 1 3 3 1 1 1 ! 1 1 i 1 1 ! l l l l 4 8 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 5 4 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 l i i i i i i i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i Totals i 4 56 3 64 l 1 i Totals Napier and East CoastNapier Carlyle Street .. Olive Dannevirke Gisborne Hastings Herbertville Katikati Opotiki Ormondville i 1 1 13 1 119 9 1 1 2 5 2 7 141 11 1 1 8 6 3 8 3 i i Wellington and Marlborough— Wellington Blenheim Brooklyn Carterton Clyde Quay Cullensville Eketahuna Featherston Greytown North Havelook Johnsonville Levin Lower Hutt Makuri Mangatainoka .. Manners St. (Wn.) 1 1 i 5 40 4 2 2 4 51 5 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 i l 1 1 1 i i i i 1 1 i l i i 3 i 4 'i ..I

H—l6.

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

15

Stations. , 00 ! U o O ' CO a' co a si. i ° a it §-2. co a. ?^5j § 3 s 5 « £ s s a I 3 \ > » 5 t S 2 a -- a w a 3 a rc | O | Q a I o j co US © la I - I 0 * i II CO *J © Sg CO © si 2 Ml DO a c s N B Stations. u. u ■ o ! , o © d a) ace a I CO I CD d d i I .Id jg : cfi © P I ! | Hi a 11 » I t2 j CJ 05 © > O | © '««<§ i CO CO I £ o3 £ ca 2 CO ! (3 00 I °l u co a o g i a o i U d ll Wellington and Marlborough— continued. Martinborough .. Masterton Mount Cook Otaki Pahiatua Petone Picton Renwicktown Tenui Thorndon Quay .. Upper Hutt Wellington South Special duty i 3 1 4 10 1 2 2 2 10 1 5 28 1 i ■1 2 Canterbury and N. Otago— contd. Rakaia Rangiora St. Albans St. Andrews Sheffield Southbridge Sumner Sydenham Temuka Timaru Waimate Woolston i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 7 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 3 2 9 2 1 i i 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 3 1 i i Totals 1 *l I r2 l 1103 5 122 ll 1 . i ! ••! Totals 1 i i 10 89 4 10 116 3 1 1 1 Dunedin— Dunedin, Central Alexandra South Anderson's Bay .. Balclutha Broad Bay Caversham Chatto Crei k Clinton Clyde Cromwell Green Island Kaitangata King Street Lawrence Middlemarch Milton Mornington Mosgiel Naseby North-east Valley Ophir Outram Owaka Palmerston South Port Chalmers .. Ravensbourne .. Roslyn Roxburgh St. Bathan's St. Clair South Dunedin .. Tapanui Waikouaiti Waitahuna Waitati Woodhaugh —' i— 'elson and Westland— Greymouth Ahaura Blackball Brunnerton Charleston Collingwood Denniston Hokitika Kanieri Karamea Kumara Lyell Motueka Nelson Okarito Reefton Richmond Ross Seddonville Spring Grove Stafford Takaka The Port (Nelson) Westport 4 . l l 2 5 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 l l l 4 30 40 1 i "j 1 6 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 i i 4 i l l i Totals 1 6 36 1 44 1 anterbury and North Otago— Christchurch 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 .. 1 6 i 39 4 51 i l l Totals Southland— Invercargill Arrowtown Bluff Gore Half-moon Bay .. Lumsden Mataura Nightcaps North Invercargill Orepuki Otautau Pembroke Queenstown Riverton South Invercargill Waikaia Winton Wyndham I l l i 9 i 1 i l i 75 I 8 1 2 2 4 1 90 11 1 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 i i i i Totals 1 4 26 1 32 1 Grand totals .. i 8 i\ \ 1 64 543 25 10 655 22 9 4 4

FT.—l6.

16

APPENDIX C. Return showing Casualties in the New Zealand Police Force during the Year ended 31st March, 1905. Retired under Police Provident Fund Act .. .. .. .. .. 7 Resignations .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 Deaths .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Dismissals .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 24

APPENDIX D. Return showing the Proportion of Police to Population and Cost of Police per Inhabitant in each of the undermentioned Places.

Note. —Populations taken from offioial estimates as on the 31st December, 1904. Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation not given; printing (1,800 copies), ±'11 17s. 6d.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9os. Price 6d.)

Place. Pro ?.oHce"° f I Cost of Police to Population, j Inhabitant. Remarks. lew Zealand 1 to 1,375 s. d. 2 10J Number of police, 655 ; net expenditure (vide Appropriation Account for year ended 31st March, 1905), £128,878 12s. 2d. Population, 900,682 (including Maoris). Vide Appropriation of Revenue, 1904-5—viz.: Number of police, 1,515 ; vote, £275,802. Population, 1,210,304. Vide Estimates of Expenditure, 1904-5 — viz.: Number of police, 2,439 (exclusive of 75 Native trackers); vote. £447,378. Population, 1,461,533. Vide Estimates of Expenditure for Year ending 30th June, 1905—viz. : Number of police, 373; vote, £76.000. Population, 372,682. Vide Estimates of Expenditure for Year ending 30th Juno, 1905 —viz.: Mumber of police, 872 (exclusive of 10 supernumeraries and 40 Native trackers); vote, £158,325. Population, 521,655. Vide Estimates of Expenditure for Year ending 30th June, 1904 —viz. : Number of police, 504; vote, £129,031 5s. Population, 242,289. Vide Tasmanian Statistics, 1903 —viz. : Number of police, 235 expenditure, £28,564 14s. lOd. Population, 180,200. Victoria .. 1 to 798 4 6* Tew South Wales .. 1 to 599 6 14 louth Australia 1 10 999 4 Of Queensland 1 to 598 6 0} Vestern Australia .. 1 to 480 10 75 'asmania 1 to 766 3 2