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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1915 Session I, H-16

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1915. NEW ZEALAND.

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

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

The Commissioner op Police to the Hon. the Minister op Justice. Police Department, Wellington, 30th June, 1915. I have the honour to present the annual report on the Police Force for the year ended the 31st March last. Strength of Force. On the 31st March last the strength of the Force was 911 of all ranks, being an increase of 41 during the year. The total is made up as follows : — Superintendents .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 Inspectors . . .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 Sub-Inspectors .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 Senior sergeants .. .. .. .. .. 21 Sergeants .. .. .. .. .. .. 79 Constables .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 748 Chief detectives . . .. .. .. .. .. 4 Detective-sergeants .. .. .. .. .. 14 Detectives .. .. .. .. .. .. 19 Acting-detectives .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 In addition to the above there were— Police surgeons .. .*. .. .. .. .. 4 Matrons . . .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 District constables .. .. .. .. .. 14 Native constables .. .. ... .. .. .. 7 Stations. New stations have been established at Mount Eden South, Matiere, Nuhaka, and Waimataitai. The district constable at Half-moon Bay (Stewart Island) has been replaced by a regular member of the Force. Casualties. The following are the casualties for the year ended 31st March last: Retired on pension under the Public Service Superannuation Act, 9 ; retired as medically unfit, 2 ; died, 1 ; resigned voluntarily, 19 ; called upon to resign, 5 ; dismissed, 7 : total, 43. This is 13 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 2,148 on the figures of 1913. The proportion of offences to the population was 2-4 per cent., as against 2-24 the previous year. The principal increases during the year appear under the following headings, viz.:— . Assault (common) . . .. .. 75 Obscene language .. .. .. 104 Burglary, &c. .. ... .. 78 Obstructing and resisting police .. 53 Disobeying orders of Court and summonses 79 Opium-smoking .. .. ..40 Disorderly conduct .. ... .. 37 Sly-grog selling .. .. 37 Drunkenness .. .. .. 1,483 Theft by servants .. .. ..32 False pretences .. .. .. 29 Theft from dwellings .. '.. 82 Forgery and uttering. . . . .. 42 Trespass .. .. .. 55 Gaming offences .. .. .. 59 Vagrancy offences .. .. .. 112

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The principal decreases were— Abusive, insulting, or threatening words or Cruelty to animals .. .. 64 behaviour .. . . .. .. 02 Deserting from merchant vessels . . 48 Assaults, indecent .. .. . . 32 Failing to maintain wives, &c. . . 87 Breaches of the peace .. .. . . 73 Malicious injury to property . . .. 44 The percentage of arrests or summonses resulting from all offences reported during the year 1914 was 96T2, the figures of the preceding year being 95-86. The following return shows the number of offences reported in each police district during the year, the number of cases in which arrests or summonses resulted, and the number in which no prosecution followed :—

Serious Crimes. The following is a return of the number of serious crimes as compared with the preceding year : —

During the last ten years the number of serious crimes as above described has varied from 548 to 759, the present total (711) being somewhat above the average. Indecent and sexual offences were as under :—

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Dia District. strict. Number of Number of Offences in which Arrests or Summonses resulted. Number in which no Arrests or Summonses resulted. 1J1S strict. Oi Number of all Offences reported. iffences repc Auckland lamilton Napier Wanganui Wellington Jreyrnouth christehurch Dunedin nvercargill ... 5,535 1,992 2,214 2,611 6,564 893 4,259 2,482 1,013 5,324 1,925 2,119 2,513 6,374 852 4,108 2,305 974 211 67 95 9H 190 41 151 177 39 I — Totals 27,563 26,494 1,069

1913. 19: 14. Crimes. Number of j Number of Offences I ? B ™T S m . „ _j..j which Arrests reported. regultod> Number of Offences reported. Number of Offencos in which Arrests resultod. Arson Assault and robbery ... Burglary, breaking into shops, dwellings, &c. Forgery and uttering Murder Murder, attempted ... 23 26 365 107 9 8 9 59 8 20 24 283 102 6 8 7 58 8 16 29 443 149 9 4 6 53 2 16 27 328 135 7 4 6 53 2 Rape Receiving stolen property Shooting with intent Totals ... 614 516 711 578 I

Offences. 1913. 1914. • Assaults, indecent ... Bestiality Carnally knowing girls Carnally knowing, attempted Concealment of birth ' ■ • Incest Indecent exposure or behaviour Rape Rape, attempted ... Sodomy ... Sodomy, attempted 89 3 35 5 2 4 282 9 12 4 8 57 2 27 12 1 2 301 6 5 1 4 Totals 4,53 418

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Drunkenness. There has been an increase of 1,482 in the number of persons prosecuted for drunkenness during the year as compared with the previous year. From the following table it will be observed that 39-64 per cent, of the males and 66-55 per cent, of the females had previous convictions recorded against them, and 7'l per cent, of the males were not permanent residents in the Dominion :—

Return showing the Number of Persons charged with Drunkenness during the Year 1914, and the Number of Previous Convictions against them, so far as is known.

Return showing the Number of Persons arrested for Drunkenness within each Principal Centre during the Years 1913 and 1914, the Number convicted, the Number discharged or otherwise dealt with (Males and Females shown separately), and the Increase or Decrease in Arrests.

Return showing the Number of Persons arrested for Drunkenness on Sundays within each Principal Centre during the Years 1913 and 1914 (Males and Females shown separately).

The following table shows the convictions for drunkenness per ten thousand of the population for each year from 1909 to 1913 in Australia and New Zealand : — 1909. 1910. 1911. 1912. 1913. Commonwealth ... 119-4 126-0 133-2 143-5 139-5 New Zealand... ... 110-1 117-0 112-3 1110 1085

District. Auckland Hamilton Napier .. Wanganui Wellington Greymouth Christehurch Dunedin Invercargill Totals Not pre- One F viously vious ( convicted, victic I M. P. M. .. 1,109 62 230 .. 605 8 116 686 19 191 973 17 268 .. 1,911 123 570 232 4 44 .. 1,003 47 210 628 26 118 252 5 50 .. 7,399 3111,797 i * I 're- Two PreDon- vious Con}n. victions. F. . F. Three Pre- Four Pre- Five Pre- Over Five vious Con- vious Con- vious Con- Previous victions. victions. vietions. Convictions. Totals. O co .J oS.2oo i-nflJo CJSm F H ffiSI M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. _L 16 107 18 2 42 .. 6 130 1 5 110 3 45 261 53 2 20 1 17 97 10 4 62 1 107 42 130 110 261 20 97 62 17 18 1 3 53 1 10 1 76 20 59 51 148 14 39 32 12 10 3 24 1 10 1 64 4 22 2G 89 13 22 15 3 7 85 63 14 14 29 100 4 17 14 8 17 1 66 460 13 80 47 96 11 410 166 12 75 2 2 50 2,109 814 1,132 1,504 3,175 338 1,798 1,035 354 205 13 28 28 896 8 182 68 7 183 9 13 2 499 25 45 86 9 '5 2 3 1 90 28 2 17 .. 97 846 87 846 87 451 49 258 49 263 88 1,245 249 12,259 930 871 The number c. in 1914 the num.be harged wi ir was 13,1 ith dn .189 (1 unkc 2,25' :tmesi i in ] 913 id 9, was 10 fc: 1,701 laics' (.10,940 taL >S and 767 femal »), 'hereas 9 ma !es a .

Centre. Number Number arrested, 1913 arrested, 1914. Number „.u discharged or Number ,, ° • ■ t i inn otherwiso convicted, 1914.' , ,, . f , dealt with 1914. Incroase in Arrests. Decrease in Arrests. Auckland and suburbs ... Wellington and suburbs Christehurch and suburbs Dunedin and suburbs ... M, F. 1,472 160 2,272 283 612 104 655 73 M. 1,283 2,587 973 810 121 380 168 60 F. M. 1,283 2,587 970 809 F. 121 380 167 60 | M. 3 1 P. M. and F. 412 425 142 M. andF. 228 1 Totals... 5,011 620 5,653 729 5,649 728 4 979 228 'et increase, 751.

Number arrested, 1913. Number arrested, 1914. Number convicted, 1914. Number discharged or otherwise dealt with, 1914. Centre. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. Auckland and suburbs ... Wellington and suburbs... Christchurch and suburbs Dunedin and suburbs 31 68 20 5 2 10 1 1 23 50 14 7 "4 1 23 50 13 7 "4 1 1 Totals ... 119 14 91 93

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Prosecutions against Hotelkeepers. The number of prosecutions (230) against hotelkeepers during the year shows an increase of 1 as compared with the preceding year.

Return showing the Number of Prosecutions against Hortelkeepers in each District during the Year 1914 as compared with 1913, the Number convicted, and the Number discharged or otherwise dealt with.

Return showing the Number of Prosecutions against Hotelkeepers within each Principal Centre during the Year 1914 as compared with 1913, the Number convicted, and the Number discharged or otherwise dealt with.

Sly-grog Selling. There were 171 prosecutions during the year for sly-grog selling, resulting in 127 convictions, against 136 prosecutions and 109 convictions during the preceding year. The fines imposed on sly-grog sellers during the year 1914 amounted to £2,547, as against £1,714 in 1913. The amounts of fines in the various districts are as follows : — £ s- ( i, Auckland .. .. .. .. '.. .. .. 105 0 0 Hamilton .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,157 10 0 Napier .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. 90 0 0 Wanganui .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 435 0 0 Wellington . . . . .. .. . . . . . . 382 0 Oj Christehurch .. .. .. ... .. .. .. 147 10 0 Dunedin .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 170 0 0 Inveroargill .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 60 0 0 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. £2,547 0 0 The direct cost to the Department in detecting and prosecuting sly-grog sellers during the year was £563, this being £1,984 less than the amount of fines imposed. Gaming Offences. There were 270 prosecutions, resulting in 228 convictions, during the year under the gaming laws, against 206 prosecutions and 133 convictions in 1913.

District. Proseoutions,, 1913. Prosecutions, 1914. ,-, ... Discharged or Convictions, otnerwif f e dealt 1914 - with, 1914. Auckland Hamilton Napier Wanganui ... Wellington ... Greymouth ... Christehurch Dunedin 30 28 18 25 52 35 17 17 7 34 30 8 25 38 32 35 17 11 • 11 17 8 16 18 25 13 9 6 23 13 9 20 7 22 8 5 Invercargill ... Totals ... 229 230 123 107

Centre. Prosecutions, 1913. Proseoutions, 1914. Convictions, 1914. Discharged or otherwise dealt with, 1914. Auckland and suburbs Wellington and suburbs Christehurch and suburbs Dunedin and suburbs 18 26 9 5 17 8 12 1 5 2 6 12 6 6 1 Totals ... 25 58 38 13

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■Criminal Registration. This branch of the Department continues to be of great value to the Police Force. During the year the Police Gazette increased in volume by 33 pages of printed matter; 518 photographs were taken by the photographers; the portraits of 1,478 prisoners were dealt with ; 296 photographs of discharged prisoners were reproduced in the Police Gazette ; the finger-impressions of 3,216 prisoners were received, classified, and searched, and 270 prisoners were identified as previous offenders in this Dominion, Australia, England, India, &c. The identity of three deceased persons was established by their finger-prints. On the 31st March last the collection consisted of the i 6,682 offenders, being an increase of 1,380 on the previous year. The following table shows the increase of the finger-print collection and prisoners traced thereby since the introduction of the finger-print system of identification in March, 1903 :—

Candidates for Force. Eighty-four men were taken on during the year, their nationalities, religions, and occupations being as follows :—Nationalities : England, 10 ; Scotland, 9 ; Ireland, 21 ; New Zealand, 43 ; Australia, 1. Religions: Church of England, 26; Presbyterian, 28; Roman Catholic, 25; Methodist, 4 ; Baptist, 1. Occupations : Asylum attendants, 3 ; blacksmith, I ; bushman, 1 ; butcher, 1 ; cabinetmakers, 2 ; carpenters, 4 ; carrier, 1 ; clerks, 2 ; dredge hand, 1 ; engine-drivers, 3 ; oxconstables, 19 ; farm labourers, 9 ; hairdresser, 1 ; labourers, 21 ; miners, 4 ; mechanics, 2 ; platelayer, I; railway - porter, 1; slaughtermen, 2; stable-keeper, 1; telegraph-linemen, 2; tramconductors, 2. First Aid to the Injured. During the year ended 31st March, 1915, 72 probationers presented themselves, at the conclusion of their course of training at the depot, for examination in " first aid to the injured," the examinations being held under the auspices of the St. John Ambulance Association. Of the 72 men who sat, all passed, the average number of marks gained being 81-64 (maximum, 100 ; bare pass, 50). The lecturer was in each case Dr. Henry, Police Surgeon, and the examiners different medical men appointed by the Association. Police Buildings, etc. During the year the following works in connection with police-stations have been carried out by the Public Works Department:— New Buildings erected. --Ngaruawahia, Northcote, Patutahi, Tokomaru Bay, Raurimu, Taihape, Coalgate, North Dunedin (sergeant's residence), and Kaitangata. New Buildings in Course of Erection. —Hamilton, Martinborough, Wellington (new central station), Wellington (Taranaki Street), Picton (lock-up), Ahaura, and Charleston. Properties acquired. —Mount Roskill (site and building), Mount Eden South (site and building), Hamilton (Inspector's residence), Manunui (site), Tuakau (site), Te Araroa (site), Whangamomona (site and building), Island Bay (site), Karori (site), Inangahua Junction (site), Nightcaps (site and building). Additions, Alterations, and Improvements have also been effected at the following stations : Kaitaia, Auckland (central), Birkenhead, Newton, Motu, Opotiki, Port Awanui, Mokau, Normanby, Mangaweka, Wanganui, Masterton, Kilbirnie, Eketahuna, Kimbolton, Wellington South, Upper Hutt, Matiere, Nelson, The Port, Okarito, Cuiverden, Lawrence, Naseby, Ranfurly, Waikouaiti, Inveroargill, andßiverton.

Year. Number of Inorease Qu . n ,, , 3 Previous Year, in Collection. Prisoners traced as Previous Offenders. 1904 ... 1905 ... 1906 ... 1907 1908 ... 1909 ... 1910 ... 1911 1912 ... 1913 ... 1914 ... 1915 ... 3,500 3,500 4,200 700 5,000 800 6,151 1,151 7,622 1,471 8,718 1,096 9,919 1,201 10,905 986 12,097 1,192 13,552 1,455 15,302 1,750 16,682 1,380 3,500 700 800 1,151 1,471 1,096 1,201 986 1,192 1,455 1,750 1,380 117 72 88 104 123 138 140 148 178 183 230 270 *

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Growth of Department. The following return shows the growth of the Department, the continued increase of the population, and the total number of offences (irrespective of by-law offences) reported, and in which arrests or summonses resulted, each year since 1877, prior to which date each province, in the Dominion had its own Police Force, and reliable data are not available : —

In addition to the strength of the Force as shown above, there were 14 district constables, 7 Native constables, 4 police surgeons (one in each city), and 4 matrons (one in each city). General. The conduct of the members of the Force during the past year has, with very few exceptions, been exemplary. The recruits called up for training were of a really good type, and with experience in their work they should develop into useful members of the Force. The annual examinations for members of the Force desiring to qualify for promotion were held in September, and out of a total of 60 non-commissioned officers and'constables who sat for examination 39 passed. Whilst the percentage of passes was not quite as high as in the previous year, the results obtained are very satisfactory. That some very creditable work was done is shown by the fact that 18 candidates gained over 70 per cent, of the maximum marks obtainable. Since the outbreak of the war the registration and supervision of enemy subjects and making various inquiries on behalf of the military authorities have given the police much additional work. Many members of the Force made application for permission to join the Expeditionary Forces. While appreciating the patriotic spirit which prompted these men in their desire to go to the front the Department was reluctantly compelled to decline the applications, as there is necessity for keeping

Year. • ao CO U o a-i q eg V 23 a -^ a o O m , , Police to Total. n , ,. Population. Offences Arrests for Cost por where Arrests Drunkenness Inhabit- Population. I or (included in ant. ! • epo e ' ; Summonses "Offences rosulted. reported"). I [ . 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 25 90 14 25 i 84 16 25 j 86 21 13 73 18 13 72 19 13 72 20 13 70 17 20 65 17 20 66 18 20 69 18 13 69 17 13 65 17 12 66 13 7 61 14 7 60 14 7 53 14 7 55 13 7 51 13 6 i 51 13 7 45 12 7 56 16 11 53 15 11 56 20 11 66 20 12 58 20 12 59 20 12 59 21 12 65 25 14 71 25 14 78 30 15 83 32 16 87 35 16 86 34 15 87 38 15 89 .39 17 93 41 17 94 40 19 100 37 329 364 379 337 343 356 365 372 390 395 388 389 403 404 401 407 410 416 414 453 457 475 499 504 514 522 534 553 557 577 604 633 639 648 692 695 719 755 458 1 to 944 \ 489 1 to 948 511 1 to 949 { 441 1 to 1,136 (" 447 1 to 1,158 i 461 1 to 1,173) 465 1 to 1,263 474 1 to 1,293 494 1 to 1,266 502 1 to 1,265 487 1 to 1,328 484 1 to 1,347 494 1 to 1,346 486 1 to 1,375 482 1 to 1,401 481 1 to 1,439 485 1 to 1,472 487 1 to 1,495 484 1 to 1,530 517 1 to 1,461 536 1 to 1,435 554 1 to 1,414 586 1 to 1,359 591 1 to 1,381 604 1 to 1,375 613 1 to 1,388 626 1 to 1,398 655 ■ 1 to 1,375 667 1 to 1,387 699 1 to 1,375 734 1 to 1,331 771 1 to 1,308 775 1 to 1,330 788 1 to 1,333 835 1 to 1,287 846 1 to 1,303 870 1 to 1,304 911 1 to 1,257 / 432,352 14,157 13,959 6,668 | I 463,572 16,374 14,696 6,794 S 484,939; 17,837 j 16,723 6,484 °~ 500,976 16,635 ' 15,212 5,587 3* j 517,626| 18,613 17,470 6,860 £ I 540,753 ! 18,775 17,727 7,572 3/3 587,295 18,263 17,322 7,151 3/0f 613,212 18,955 17,723 7,034 3/2 625,849! 18,135 17,000 6,260 3/2i 635,215; 17,752 16,500 5,226 3/lf 646,913 12,897 11,854 5,387 2/10f 652,125! 12,945 | 11,885 5,444 2/10f 664,855 13,115 I 12,177 5,866 2/11* 668,353; 12,674 I 11,748 5,416 2/9 " 675,775 ; 13,153 12,187 5,360 2/8* 092,426 1 13,165 12,100 5,251 2/7-1 714,2581 13,530 12,500 4,594 2/6J 728,121 14,010 12,435 4,636 2/7$ 14,673 13,171 5,005 2/7+ 754,016' 15,219 14,042 5,204 2/8" 768,910 16,378 14,730 5,532 2/94 783,317 16,865 15,561 6,289 2/10f 796,359 18,358 17,131 7,299 2/10} 816,290 19,909 j 18,742 8,057 2/10* 830,800! 19,771 18,802 8,269 2/10* 851,068 20,736 19,867 8,815 2/10} 875,648 21,066 20,118 9,615 2/10| 900,682 20,249 19,251 8,707 2/10* 925,605 21,160 20,241 9,210 3/0 961,604 23,204 22,244 10,203 3/2£ 977,215 23,510 22,484 10,343 3/4} 1,008,373 23,930 22,880 10,657 3/3* 1,030,657 25,106 23,949 11,718 3/4* 1,050,410 24,999 23,492 11,699 •3/5 1,075,250 25,981 24,837 11,884 3/8 1,102,389 25,415 24,364 11,707 3/9 1,134,506 27,563 26,494 13,189 4/1 1,145,840

H.—l6. the Police Force up to its normal strength during such a critical period. Recruiting for the Expeditionary Forces has had the effect of practically cutting off the supply of suitable candidates for the Police Force, which rendered it all the more necessary that the services of present members of the Force should be retained in the Dominion. During the past year numerous applications have been received from various sources for the appointment of additional police, with the object of either establishing new stations or increasing the number of the police at existing stations. The Department recognizes that many of these requests arc fully justified, and should be complied with as far as circumstances permit, but in other cases representations have been made to have constables stationed in localities where they would have little in the nature of police chity to do. The more urgent requirements are referred to by the officers in charge of districts in their annual statements, which, are printed with this report. Under normal conditions I would have asked that provision be made for an increase of fifty constables to the strength of the Force, so that all reasonable demands for extra police could be satisfied, but in view of existing circumstances I regret that I can see my way to recommend the appointment of only twenty additional constables for this year. Another matter which has a certain bearing on the foregoing subject is the volume of work which the police are performing on behalf of other Government Departments, and which does not in any way come within the scope of ordinary police duties. In many cases requests for additional police are due to the fact that the local member of the Force is so much occupied with these extraneous duties that he is unable to attend properly to police matters. lam of opinion that the police should be relieved of these duties as much as possible, or that the various Departments concerned should contribute to the Police vote an annual sum in proportion to the time devoted by the police to the work of such Departments. During the year the number of police-stations connected with various telephone bureaux throughout the country has been increased, with great advantage to both the Department and the general public. The use of bicycles by members of the Force in the discharge of their various duties has been greatly extended, thus enabling the police to deal more expeditiously with urgent matters, particularly in suburban areas. I would, however, recommend that a motor-car be provided for each principal police centre, to enable the officer in charge to visit the various stations under his control more frequently than he»can do under existing conditions. The car would also be available for the use of the police in urgent cases in the country. A motor-van for the conveyance of prisoners is badly needed at both Auckland and Christchurch, where the horse vehicles now in use are practically worn out and will soon have to be replaced. A matter requiring serious consideration is the unsuitability of the present police training-depot. The present buildings provide accommodation for only about 22 men, and the drill-ground is quite insufficient for the drilling of a large squad of recruits. Consequently, the depot can no longer be looked upon as suitable for the accommodation and training of larger squads of recruits which it will be necessary to keep in training to fill vacancies and to provide for an increased strength of the Force in the future. The question of removing the depot from the city altogether and establishing it within easy distance of Wellington—at, for instance, Trentham, where a suitable area can no doubt be obtained upon which to erect the necessary buildings and provide a fairly large drill-ground—is one that will have to be considered in the immediate future. If sufficient accommodation were available at the depot all members of the Force under a certain age could be called into the depot in small squads for an annual course of drill and instruction, extending over a period of ten days or a fortnight. Lectures on matters of law and instructions on police duties, discipline, and administration could also be given in the depot. There is no gainsaying the fact that in many instances men who do not receive a periodical drilling become ungainly in their movements, and the only way to remedy these conditions, so far as T can see, is to call the men into the depot periodically for a course of drill. It would also be necessary to have stables and an exercising-ground for horses at the new depot, to allow of young horses for the mounted police being thoroughly trained, so as to render the animals safe for the riders as well as the general public on occasions when the mounted police are called out to regulate traffic or keep order in the streets. As serious injuries have been inflicted upon persons in various parts of the Dominion during recent years, and in some cases death has resulted through the criminal or negligent use of revolvers and pistols by persons who should never be allowed to possess such weapons, I beg to suggest that the time has now arrived when stringent legislation should be passed regulating the sale and possession of all classes of firearms throughout the Dominion. As the law now stands there is nothing to prevent persons inclined to crime and homicide from possessing and carrying firearms. The law on this subject is quite different in Great Britain, where the Pistols Act, 1903, contains stringent provisions relating to the sale of and the licensing to carry pistols and revolvers. I desire to draw attention to a matter to which Superintendent Ellison makes reference towards the end of his report. A slight amendment of section 204 of the Justices of the Peace Aot, 1908, would bring the class of house referred to within the scope of the. law and enable the police to mitigate the evil. As regards the larger question touched upon by the Superintendent, relative to the spread of venereal disease, I can only say that I fully endorse his remarks and think it is a matter which should receive the attention of the Public Health authorities. While stringent regulations are in force dealing with the isolation and treatment of other infectious and contagious diseases, no

H.—l6. attempt is made to prevent these women from spreading a disease which is more injurious and farreaching in its consequences. The amount paid as house allowance to members of the Force who are not provided with quarters by the Department is increasing from year to year, the expenditure in this respect for the past financial year being just over £11,000. In this connection I wish to refer again to a suggestion I made in my last annual report regarding the advisability of erecting cottages for married men at places where the Department has sites available. In many towns members of the Force experience great difficulty in obtaining suitable houses, and often, in order to live within a reasonable distance of the police-station, have to pay high rents for uncomfortable quarters. This disadvantage would be overcome to some extent by utilizing departmental sections for the purpose I have suggested, and the men occupying the cottages would have reasonable comfort, and would be at hand if required in case of emergency. Reports of Officers in charge of Districts. pjxtracts from the annual reports of officers in charge of districts are hereto annexed. J. Cullen, Commissioner of Police.

EXTRACTS FROM ANNUAL REPORTS OF OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF DISTRICTS. Superintendent Ellison, Wellington District. I beg to furnish the following report for the year ended the 31st March, 1915 : — The authorized strength of the Force in the Wellington District on the 31st March, 1915, was 169, as against 168 the previous year. The increase of 1 constable went to Mount Cook Station, as recommended in my last annual report. The actual strength on the 31st March was 177, which included 9 men who had been sworn in two days previously, and are intended to fill vacancies as they arise. The only additions I have now to recommend would be provision for 1 constable for Kelburn and Northland (semi-suburb), 1 for permanent addition at Mount Cook, and it may be advisable to provide for 1 at Miramar as soon as a site for a police-station has been acquired. An. urgent addition of 1 constable has been authorized for Upper Hutt Station so long as a military camp is there, a considerable amount of work having arisen in connection with inquiries respecting persons supposed to have joined the military forces, &c. No stations have been opened or closed during the year. A site for a station has been acquired at Island Bay in a very good position. A new building for constable's residence has been recently completed at Martinborough. Recommendations have been made as to acquiring sites at Eastbourne, Karori, Brooklyn, Northland-Kclburn, and Levin. I think the Department should secure permanent sites and give up the old practice of paying high rents for sometimes unsuitable premises. The country stations which are owned by Government in this district are as a rule in very good order, only a few of the older ones being in need of small maintenance repairs. During the year 1 constable was discharged on pension owing to injuries received on duty, 1 constable was called upon to resign and 1 resigned voluntarily, and 3 constables, being Imperial Reservists, were recalled to military service and left for the seat of war. The conduct of the police has been good, and only three fines were recorded for breaches of discipline. The offences return for 1914 shows an increase of 465 offences reported as compared with,the previous year, the numbers being 6,564 and 6,099 respectively. The arrests for 1914 were 6,374, an increase of 501, the total for 1913 having been 5,873. The increase is accounted for in the fact that Wellington City shows an increase of 412 persons arrested for drunkenness for 1914. Other increases worthy of notice are: Breaches of the peace, 28; false pretences, 7 ; furious driving, 21 ; illegally on premises, 22 ; mischief (damaging property), 36 ; obscene language, 54 ; obstructing or resisting police, 36 ; thefts from dwellings, 24 ; vagrancy, 65. Decreases appear under —Abusive and insulting words or behaviour, 51 ; cruelty to animals, 23 ; deserters from merchant vessels, 82; disobeying orders aboard ships, 50; gaming offences, 34; thefts, 123; riot, 18 ; unlawful assembly, 10 ; forgery, 8 ; burglary and housebreaking, 2. There has been no outbreak of serious crime. The most annoying and serious offences that have occurred are thefts from dwellings during absence of occupants. Many houses have been left with insecure doors or windows inviting the attention of sneak-thieves, who visit houses on paltry excuses, and when, after knocking or ringing, they find every one out, have good opportunities for committing offences. One offender of this kind may commit a number of offences before being caught, but invariably they have been caught and much stolen property has been recovered from time to time.

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I beg to refer to the following matter in regard to existing laws :- - There is a class of women who separately occupy a shop and dwelling as a cover for carrying on a wholesale immoral but profitable occupation by which they spread the worst kind of disease through the community. Such persons are exempt from the law so long as they carry on their business without the aid or presence of another female on their premises, but all the same they are a scourge to the community, as every medical man in the Dominion knows. This is more a matter for the Public Health Department than the police, but all the same the evil is here, and every year makes it worse. If a respectable citizen has the misfortune to have a child taken ill of scarlatina, measles, or other infectious disease he has to report at once to the Health Officer, but the avaricious moneymaking harlots to whom I refer are all at liberty to contaminate the nation from end to end, because innocent persons suffer- as do their children —just as much or more than the men who personally patronize these diseased women. One need not wonder at the number of young people wearing glasses, artificial teeth, and other evidences of constitutional weakness when female vultures are able to fatten and. become wealthy while they disseminate disease in a wholesale manner. Superintendent Kiely, Auckland District.

I beg to submit for your information my report upon police matters in the Auckland District for the year ended the 31st March, 1915. The authorized strength of the Force in this district on the 31st March last was 178 of all ranks, an increase of 6 over the preceding year. The increase consisted of 2 sergeants-- 1 for Parnell and 1 for Pukekohe—and 4 constables—l each for Newton, Newmarket, Mount Eden, and Mount Eden South. A station was opened during the year at Mount Eden South. New buildings have been purchased for police-stations at Mount Roskill and Mount Eden South, and a new police-station has been erected at Northcote. During the twelve months 1 constable died, 1 resigned, and. 2 were dismissed. One sergeant was reduced to the rank of constable on account of overindulgence in liquor, and was subsequently retired from the service as medically unfit. Twenty-five constables were punished for various breaches of the regulations, otherwise the conduct of the members of the Force was good. The yearly offences return shows that the number of offences reported during the year ended the 31st December, 1914, was 5,535, as against 5,611 in the preceding year, a decrease of 76. The principal decreases occur in drunkenness, 117; theft, 23; breaches of the peace, 54; indecent assault, 26 ; and cruelty to animals, 27. There has been an increase in serious crimes such as burglary, 18; assault causing bodily harm, 11; false pretences, 60; indecent exposure, 16; obscene language, 55 ; and theft from dwellings, 13. The indiscriminate carrying of loaded firearms by irresponsible persons in the streets of our cities, through a spirit of bravado, is becoming a source of great danger and should be legislated against.

Superintendent Dwyer, Christchurch District. I beg to submit my annual report on the state of the Christehurch District for the year ended the 31st March, 1915. The actual strength of all ranks of the Force in the district on the 31st March last was 147, and the authorized strength 143. A sergeant has been appointed at Temuka, and another at Addington, an additional constable to Timaru, and two constables to Christohurch Station. A new station has been opened at Waimataitai, a suburb of Timaru. The casualties for the 7 constables resigned, and 1 constable dismissed for misconduct. The conduct of the police on the whole has been very good during the year. Young constables who have had no previous experience are apt to commit disciplinary breaches, but after a little while they become alive to their responsibilities and settle down, and make good progress in their work. The number of offences reported during the year ended the 31st December, 1914, was 4,259, as compared with 3,937 for the previous year. Of the 4,259 offences reported, in 4,108 cases persons were apprehended or summoned, leaving only 151 offences undetected. The principal increases were— Burglary, 15 ; drunkenness, 457 ; furious driving, 15 ; gaming offences, 10 ; obstructing and resisting police, 16 ; soliciting prostitution, 23 ; trespass, 18. The principal decreases were —Absconding from industrial schools, 14 ; abusive and threatening language, 18 ; breaches of the peace, 31 ; disorderly and riotous conduct, 11 ; failing to provide maintenance, 137 ; false pretences, 26 ; theft, 29. The only crime committed in the district calling for special mention was the murder of one Adam Stevenson, near Geraldine, for which Henry Cripps was sentenced to imprisonment for life. Sly-grog selling in the no-license areas of Canterbury has been kept well in check. The gaming laws have also been strictly enforced, and during the year ended the 31st March last fines amounting to £813 were imposed on bookmakers for committing breaches of the gaming laws.

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Superintendent O'Donovan, Dunedin District. I beg to submit my annual report for the Dunedin District. The strength of the district on the 31st March last was 1 Superintendent, I Sub-Im.pector, 2 senior sergeants, 10 sergeants, 90 constables, 1 chief detective, 2 detective-sergeants, 2 actingdetectives, 1 matron, and 1 police surgeon. One sergeant on the strength at Oainaru retired from the service on superannuation, and 1 constable was added to the strength of that station instead. No stations have been opened or closed during the year. One Superintendent, 1 sergeant, and 2 constables retired on superannuation ; 5 constables resigned voluntarily, 4 were called on to resign, and I was dismissed from the service. The total number of offences reported was 2,482, as against 2,006 for 1913. The increases are mainly made up as follows : Abusive, insulting, or threatening words or behaviour, 24 ; detaining postal packets, 29; disobeying orders of Court, 116; disobeying orders on ships, 14; drunkenness, 124; gaming offences, 12; stone-throwing, 18; thefts, 124; vagrancy, 22. Of the total number of offences reported (2,482) arrests and summonses resulted in 2,305 eases. Eleven constables were fined for breaches of the regulations ; one of that number was also removed from charge of a station and placed on beat duty. A new police residence was erected for the sergeant in charge at North Dunedin, also a new residence for the constable at Kaitangata. At the latter place a new lock-up has just been completed. A list of new buildings required and additions and repairs to old buildings was furnished by my predecessor on the 29th July, 1914. In view of the altered circumstances due to the war I cannot urge that all of these works should be carried out at present. Owing to the urgent necessity of providing quarters at Port Chalmers I must recommend that provision be made for the purchase of a site and the erection of buildings. This will involve considerable expense. As soon as a suitable site is offered further recommendation will be made on this matter. The station at Oamaru, to be built on the very suitable site recently acquired, should be put in the hands of the builder. The office accommodation for the detective staff at Dunedin is quite inadequate, and the officework is carried on under very objectionable conditions. If no improvement can be effected by rearrangement I shall be obliged to make further representation on this subject.

Inspector Wilson, Wanganui District. I have the honour to submit for your information the annual report on the Police Force in this district. The authorized strength is 1 Inspector, 2 Sub-Inspectors, 2 senior sergeants, 7 sergeants, 3 detective-sergeants, 68 constables, 1 acting-detective, and 1 district constable. I am glad to say my recommendations for additional sergeants at Wanganui and Pahnerston North have been given effect to, so that with the extra supervision we may expect increased efficiency and zeal. At Hawera the town and subdistriet continues to grow, and the work has so increased that another constable is urgently required. 1 understand the Te Roti Opunake Railway works are starting, so that will mean a big influx of population while the work is in progress. An additional constable is also required at Ohakune. The population of that borough and Rangataua is estimated at about 2,500, and there are about 250 men working on the Ohakune-Raetihi Railway construction. These men as a rule are a rough class, and require constant supervision. I would again recommend that the erection of the proposed police-station at Kaponga be proceeded with. The casualties were- 1 senior sergeant, L sergeant, and 1 constable retired on superannuation, 3 constables dismissed, and 1 constable retired as medically unfit. The offences return shows 2,277 offences reported in 19.13, and 2.611 in 1914, an increase of 334 during the year. It will be seen, on comparison of the two returns, that the increase is almost all attributable to the number arrested for drunkenness, as that offence alone is responsible for an increase of 299 charges. No doubt the war and the general prosperity of the farming industries, as well as increased vigilance of the police, have contributed, towards this result. The other offences under the different heads show a remarkable uniformity in yearly numbers. Of the 2,611 offences reported, 2,513 were dealt with by arrest or summons, leaving 98 offences of all descriptions unaccounted for, the average undetected being about 3-5 per cent. With the exception of the three constables who were dismissed the conduct of the men has been good, and they have shown a keea-infa r< st in the discharge of their duties. I regret that I have to report the commission of a most serious crime. On the 28th December last a triple murder was committed at Ruahinc on a settler named James McCann and his wife and infant child by a German named Arthur Rottman, who has since been tried and convicted, and has paid the penalty.

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Inspector Wright, Hamilton District. 1 beg to submit the following report upon the Hamilton District: — The authorized strength on the 31st March, 1915, was I Inspector, 2 senior sergeants, 5 sergeants, 55 constables, 1 detective-sergeant, 2 district constables, and 3 Native constables. During the year the strength has been increased by 1. constable, owing to a new station being opened at Matiere. Further additions to the strength are now or will be required during the year, viz. : I detective and I constable at Hamilton, and I constable each at Frankton Junction, Ngaruawahia, Rotorua, Ohura, Putaruru, and Taumarunui. At Hamilton a detective is very badly needed, and there is plenty of detective work to keep him fully occupied in that part of the district. When the new station is completed at Hamilton, which will be within the next three months, it will be necessary to employ a constable continuously in the watchhouse and to assist in the office, and as the present staff have their hands full another constable will be required. A second constable is required at Frankton, so that the mail-trains can be met at night, and the borough get more attention than at present. At Ngaruawahia the work is getting too heavy for one constable. The Waipa Collieries, six miles distant, are now in full work, some two hundred men being employed, and the number will steadily increase as the mine is developed. The constable has a large district to look after, and with the collieries to visit frequently is away from Ngaruawahia more than is desirable. At Rotorua another constable is required to enable a proper system of night duty to be performed, which cannot be done with the present strength. With regard to Ohura, the work on the Okahukura Tunnel having been delayed, it will be some time before the line is formed to Ohura, and there will be no need to station a man there until the work is approaching that end. It will not entail any increase to the present strength, as the Matiere Station can then bo closed. At Putaruru a constable is needed, and provision should be made for one as soon as possible. The Totara Timber Company's line has not been extended to Taupo, but it no doubt soon will be; but, apart from that, a constable is now necessary there, and will have plenty to do. At Taumarunui the place is growing so rapidly, and the sly-grog supervision takes up so much time, that another constable could be profitably employed there. A new station was formed at Matiere in July last, owing to the proximity of railway-works on the Stratford-Okahukura line. New and up-to-date police buildings have been erected at Ngaruawahia and Raurimu during the year, and a temporary office and lock-up at Matiere. New quarters are also under construction at Hamilton. The old post-office at Opotiki has been converted into comfortable quarters for the constable there. There have been no casualties during the year beyond the resignation of one Native constable, who was replaced by another at Te Kaha. The offences return for 1914 shows that 1,992 offences were reported, as compared with 1,707 the previous year, a net increase of 285. Increases appear under the following heads : Housebreaking, &0., 18; disorderly conduct, II ; drunkenness, 80; failing to provide for families, 49; forgery, 15; sly-grog selling, 26 ; theft, 47 ; trespass, 28 ; vagrancy, 27. Decreases appear under heads—Obscene language, 12; breaches of the peace, 17; cruelty to animals, 12; mischief, 10; receiving stolen goods, 7. These fluctuations are usually experienced and have no significance. Although there has been an increase of 18 cases of housebreaking last year, there was a decrease of 22 the previous year. Sly-grog selling is, I regret to say, still giving the police a lot of trouble, and in spite of their strenuous efforts and the heavy fines inflicted offenders continue to take the risk for the large profits they make. During the year the sum of £1,157 10s. was inflicted in fines, of which £950 was imposed in the King-country. Last year the total was only £536. The police are using every means within their power to check this evil, but so long as people are willing to pay 12s. 6d. per bottle for what is worth 4s. to ss. so long will there be sellers. The police get no assistance from either side. Of the total number of offences reported (1,992), 1,925, or 97 per cent., were accounted for either by arrest or summons. Of the 85 persons committed for trial 68 were subsequently convicted. The conduct of all members of the Force during the year has been excellent. They have performed their duties zealously and with discretion, and in no part of the district has there been the slightest friction either among themselves or with the public. I think that the provisions of sections 8 and 9 of the Licensing Amendment Act, t914, should be made to apply to both no-liconse and proclaimed areas. Why there should be any distinction is not apparent. As the law now stands it only leads to confusion. Inspector McGrath, Napier District. I beg to submit my annual report on the Napier Police District for the year ending the 31st March 1915. On the 31st March last the authorized strength of the district was 63 of all ranks, being an increase of 5 during the year, The total is made up as follows : 1 Inspector, 1 Sub-Inspector, 1 senior sergeant, 4 sergeants, 48 constables, I detective-sergeant, 2 detectives, 4 district constables, and 1 Native constable.

3__H. 16.

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During the year the following increases were authorized : 1 Sub-Inspector and 1 constable at Gisborne, 1 sergeant at Napier, 1 constable at Spit, and 1 constable for the newly appointed station at Nuhaka. These additions to the strength were much needed, and are fully appreciated. An addition of 1 constable at Dannevirke is still required, and a new station should be opened at Te Araroa. A new station has been opened at Nuhaka. No stations have been closed during the year. At To Araroa a new and more central site than the one previously held was reserved for police purposes during the year. There were no resignations or dismissals during the year. One constable is on three months' leave prior to retirement on superannuation, having reached the age-limit. The total number of offences reported during the year 1914 was 2,214, as compared with 2,103 for 1913, showing an increase of 111 for the year. Of the 2,214 offences reported 2,119 resulted in prosecutions, leaving a total of 95 undetected offences. Over 95 per cent, of all offences reported were detected. The following are the principal increases and decreases : Increases —Arson, 9 ; assaults, common, 8 ; burglary, 19 ; disorderly conduct, 11 ; drunkenness, 34 ; gaming offences, 14 ; neglected and criminal children, 17 ; obscene and profane language, 13 ; theft (undescribed), 23 ; theft of cattle and horses, 8 ; trespass, 13. Decreases —Breaches of the peace, 26 ; false pretences, 14 ; forgery, 7 ; malicious injury to property, 11 ; refusing to quit licensed premises, 10 ; vagrancy, 7. The conduct of the police throughout the year has been good, and the men have willingly responded to the call for the performance of extra duties required of them owing to the absence of their comrades on sickness and leave at different times. The Licensing Amendment Act, 1914, by prohibiting the sale of liquor on licensed premises to persons under the age of twenty-one years, has had the effect of checking intemperance and larrikinism amongst youths who were in the habit of procuring liquor at hotels, drinking it in the streets, and then making themselves a nuisance to the public generally—a practice that had become quite common, especially in some of the large towns. Section 32 of the Police Force Act, 1913, which gives a Magistrate power to order goods taken possession of by the police, and the ownership of which is doubtful, to be delivered to the person whom he considers entitled to their possession, has proved convenient and satisfactory. I think the Pawnbrokers Act should be amended by giving the police the same authority to examine pawnbrokers' pledge-books as they now possess in respect of second-hand dealers' books. Generally speaking, the pawnbrokers give the police all the assistance in their power in tracing stolen property arid bringing offenders to justice, but there are some exceptions with whom it is difficult to deal effectually in the absence of authority to inspect the pledge-books. It is very difficult to detect persons supplying liquor to Maoris in the back country in contravention of the licensing law, but if the Maoris were liable to a penalty for procuring liquor in cases where it is an offence for persons to supply them it would greatly assist in the suppression of this objectionable traffic. I suggest that the licensing law should be amended accordingly. This would place the Maoris in a no worse position than prohibited Europeans.

Inspector Phair, Greymouth District. I have the honour- to submit a report upon the Greymouth Police District for the year ended the 31st March, 1915. The strength of the Force in this district on the said date was 1 Inspector, 1 senior sergeant, 4 sergeants, and 36 constables, total 42, being 1 detective and 1 constable short of the authorized strength. No increase was made to the strength during the past year. No new stations were opened or closed during the year, although new buildings were erected at Charleston and Murchison, while the building at Ahaura in course of erection is nearly completed. During the year 4 constables resigned and 1 detective sergeant retired on pension. Seven constables were charged with eighteen breaches of the Police Regulations, and fines totalling £10 10s. were imposed. With these exceptions the conduct of the members of the Force during the year has been good. The offences return for the year ended the 31st December last shows 893 offences reported during the year, being an increase of 121 offences over the previous year. This increase is attributable principally to petty offences—viz., drunkenness, gaming, common assaults, and breaches of the peace. Many of these offences were reported from Waiuta, where an accommodation license was granted during the year. This township formerly had no licensed premises therein. Strict measures have been adopted by the constable in charge for the suppression of drunkenness and disorderly conduct of any kind —hence, the increase. Prosecutions were instituted in 852 cases out of the 893 reported, leaving 41 undetected, which I submit is a satisfactory result. Thirty-two informations were laid against publicans and 25 convictions were obtained during the year, as against'3s prosecutions and 21 convictions for the previous year. No serious offences were reported during the year. A suspicious fire took place at Taylorville on the 26th January last, resulting in the total destruction of a hotel and two stores. An inquest was opened on this fire on the 12th February and the evidence' r of a number'of witnesses taken, and the inquest was adjourned sine die to allow of further police inquiries being made. This is at present being attended^to.

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Inspector Norwood, Inveroargill District. I beg to submit the following|report for the year ended the 31st March, 1915 : — that date the authorized strength of all ranks was as follows : 1 Inspector, 1 senior sergeant, 3 sergeants, 34 constables, and 1 detective-sergeant. A constable has been placed at Half-moon Bay in lieu of a district constable. No other alteration has taken place in opening or closing of stations. A dwellinghouse has been purchased at Nightcaps for use as a police-station, where a house was formerly rented. Extensive repairs were carried out to the station at Riverton, and increased accommodation provided at Bluff. Now buildings are required at Gladstone, North Inveroargill, and Orepuki. One constable was retired on pension, and the services of a district constable were dispensed with. During the year ended the 31st December, 191.4, 1,013 offences were reported, as against 903 in the preceding year and 713 in 1913, being an increase of 110 for last year. Of the 1,013 offences reported 974 arrests or summonses resulted. The increases are under the following headings : Abusive and threatening language, &c, 8 ; assaults (indecent), 5 ; assault and robbery, 2 ; burglary, breaking and entering, 14 ; disorderly conduct, 10 ; disturbing meetings, 11 ; drunkenness, 60 ; neglected and criminal children, 16; theft (undcscribed), 16; theft from dwellings, 16. Fifty-five cases were committed for trial, resulting in 49 convictions in the Supreme Court. Throughout the district there has been no crime of an abnormal kind. Notwithstanding the increase of offences of the more serious class the members of the Force have, by assiduous attention to duty, successfully coped with the work, the criminal statistics showing only 39 undetected offences out of a total of 1,013. The conduct of the men has been very satisfactory, and only in one instance has a fine been inflicted for a minor breach of the regulations. An additional constable is required at Inveroargill. Constables arc frequently absent on leave of absence, sick, or on escort duty, which at times diminishes my limited staff to such an extent that there are insufficient men to properly carry out the duties at the central station.

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APPENDIX A. Return showing the Number of offences reported, the Number of Offences for which Persons were apprehended or summoned, and Comparison of Crime during the Year ending 31st December, 1913, and Year ending 31st December, 1914.

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1818. in o a o W Offences. 2 "cC . "SI if a cs S h I Z 1914. Inoreai Docreai Nmnbi Offen. report ,eor 3e in sr ol ces led. C/l m U § O ?! S3 o a A," WWW 2 « « H » _ © Jh H o^H. W O Pre! I? 9 - j- - eg 3 .a o t. Results of C appreli (Ohargos a 3ases in whieli P< lended or suinni bgainst Males ani separately.) arsons were loned. il Females Number ol Convictions amongst those committed Dismissed. for THaL Committed I for Trial. Suniniarily convicted. ai til 3 01 C a ai tit 3 01 ■~ u CO o M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. ' Abandoning children .. .. 3 Abduction .. .. .. 2 Abortion, procuring .. .. ;i Abortion, attempt to procure .. 2 Absconding from apprenticeship .. 2 Absconding from bail .. .. 1 2 Absconding from industrial schools ... I 60 Abusive, insulting, or threatening words 425 or behaviour Administering noxious thing with intent to commit a crime Animals Protection Act, offences under 73 Arson .. . . .. . . 23 Arson, attempted .. .. .. 3 Assaults, common .. . . .. I 749 Assaults, indecent . . .. ... 89 Assaults occasioning bodily harm . . 36 Assaults on bailiff's .. Assaults on x'olice .. .. .. : 91 Assaults and robbery .. . . 26 Attempting to commit crimes not other- 8 wise specified in this return Bankruptcy offences .. .. 13 Being in possession of housebreaking 3 implements Begging . . .. .. .. 24 Bestiality .. .. .. 3 Bigamy .. . . .. .. 5 Breaches of the peace not otherwise 1 498 specified in this return Burglary, breaking into shops, dwell- 365 ings, &c. Carnally knowing girls .. .. 35 Carnally knowing girls, attempted .. 5 Coinage offences .. .. .. j 2 Concealment of birth .. 2 Conspiring to defeat justice, or corrupt- I ing juries or witnesses Conspiring to defraud .. .. ] II Contempt of Court . . .. I I Counselling the commission of an offence 13 Cruelty to animals.. .. .. 217 Cruelty to children .. .. 2 Damaging police uniform . . .. 26 Defacing brands and ear-marks Defiling imbeoile women or girls .. I Deserting or absenting from H.M. ships 29 Disserting or absenting from merchant 294 vessels Detaining postal packets .. .. 6 Discharging firearms .. .. 62 Disobeying orders on board ships .. 97 Disobeying orders of Court and sum- 798 monses Disorderly and riotous conduct .. 211 Disturbing meetings and congregations 30 Drunkenness .. .. .. 11,707 Esoaping from legal custody .. 38 Failing to comply with conditions of 14 release under First Offenders' Probation Act Failing to provide adequate mainten- 1,417 ance for wives, children, parents, or other near relatives Fabricating evidence False declarations . . .. .. 13 False pretences .. . • .. 228 Fisheries Acts, offences under .. 63 Forgery and uttering . • ■. 107 Fortune-telling .. • • • • 2 Found armed by night, with felonious 1 2 intent Found by night disguised, with intent i I to commit a crime Furious riding and driving .. .. 191 Gaming offences .. .. ..I 211 I I .. 2 2 .-) 3 2 I I 1 I 3 139 363 I I 118 363 2 I I 109 9 294 7 9 7 57 5 I 21 62 I I 1 I 57 16 5 824 57 56 I 84 29 6 57 16 5 804 52 55 I 84 27 6 8 1 I 41 28 i 4li 2 2 625 13 4 .. ! 12 ...j I 77 2 13 .10 I 151 ii 7 I .. II j 3 4 I 19 20 "l "2 75 16 7 32 20 I 1 21 4 2 4 ! .. 1 I I 16 3 7 2 1 3 "l '.'. "2 6 3 6 3 3 2 2 I 7 51 2 3 425 51 2 3 423 43 5 2 5 1 2 2 27 I 2 73 w '2 362 8 8 51 '2 2 1 443 328 219 99 10 .. 202 78 27 12 6 I I I i 25 12 ! i 21 7 6 1 2 3 .. 3 .. 9 4 5 "7 4 8 i 1 I 1 .. 9 I 14 153 7 56 I 9 I 14 153 7 56 I 8 1 1 1 10 134 1 2 5 54 2 1 1 5 2 2 i 18 .. i 2 I 5 30 1 2 64 33 246 20 '.'. 171 I 20 177 6 '.'. 4 48 30 53 86 877 30 51 80 811 29 2 1 42 65 (155 29 7 21 108 29 I 24 9 I I 29 19 79 248 50 13,190 24 25 248 50 13,189 24 22 4 230 46 ; 12,246 929 3 16 16 5 929 ia 13 4 13 I 2 i 37 20 1,483 ',4 4 4 II 1,330 1,269 1,092 37 37 138 87 13 228 63 107 2 2 I 10 257 64 149 2 I 8 236 62 135 2 I 2 80 i 4 I I 5 24 52 1 16 8 3 I 2 72 1 I 3 24 i 2 29 I 42 128 2 4 118 2 1 2 I I 191 211 229 270 227 270 211 227 1 1 14 12 1 38 59

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APPENDIX A— continued. Return showing the Number of Offences reported, the Number of Offences for which Persons were apprehended or summoned, and Comparison of Crime during the Year ending 31st December, 1913, and Year ending 31st December, 1914— continued.

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1918. 1914, tii 01 01 3 O) to Offences. d ? o) l\ 3 I 3 -~ A^ ! I I ce CO 01 a ft O O co -w "> a •S S, a co 1 a Ii Ii n tn 01 -w a. §£ = ■sl-s %* 1 a . tn ■~ a -. co 3." O *- A Results of Cases in which Persons were apprehended or summoned. (Charges against Males and Females separately.) Committed Summarily Tn«mi«oafl for Trial. convicted. Dismissed. M. F. M. F. M. F. Increase or Decrease in Number of Offences reported. Number of Convictions amongst those committed for Trial. : M. F. ai ai 6 p Habitual criminal failing to report him- \ 4 self Illegally on premises .. .. 170 Illegally pawning Incest .. . . .. . . 4 [ndeoent exposure or behaviour .. 282 Indecent Publications Act, offences 8 under Introducing liquor into Maori pa .. 23 Keeping disorderly houses or brothels 36 Killing animals with intent to steal the 9 carcases Killing sea] .. .. .. I Libel .. . . .. .. 1 Malioious injury to property .. 440 Maliciously killing or maiming animals ! 9 Manslaughter .. . . .. | 10 Mischief not otherwise specified in this 131 return Murder . . . . * . . . . 9 Murder, attempted . . .. 8 Neglected and criminal children . . 205 Obscene and profane language .. 870 Obstructing or resisting police .. 196 Obstructing railwa.y-lines .. ., ' 13 Obstructing railway officers . . .. 7 Obstructing thoroughfares .. .. 58 Opium, smoking or being in possession of 14 Perjury . . . . . . . . 18 Poison-laying . . . . ,, 3 Prohibited immigrants, unlawfully land- 3 ing Rape . . .. . . .. 9 Rape, attempted .. .. .. 12 Receiving stolen goods .. .. 59 Refusing to quit licensed premises .. 71 Rescuing cattle from being impounded 27 Riot, taking part in . . .. 18 Robbery or extortion Sedition .. . . . . .. 5 Sending false telegrams . . . . 1 Shooting with intent . . .. 8 Sly-grog selling .. .. " .. 136 Smuggling .. Sodomy .. .. .. .. 4 Sodomy, attempted . . .. 8 Soliciting prostitution .. .. 78 Stone-throwing .. . . .. 78 Stowing away on board ships .. 56 Suicide, attempted .. .. 86 Sureties of the peace . . .. 48 Theft (undeseribed) ... .. 2.565 Theft as a bailee . . .. .. ] 1 Theft, attempted . . .. .. 10 Theft by servants .. .. .. 65 Theft from dwellings .. .. 189 Theft from the person .. . . 45 Theft of cattle and horses .. . . 29 Theft of dogs . . .. .. 9 Theft of pigs .. .. .. 5 Theft of sheep .. .. .. 10 Theft of post-letters .. .. 27 Threatening letters .. .. 1 Threatening to shoot .. .. 4 Travelling by rail and refusing to pay 33 fares Trespass . . .. .. .. 74 Unlawful assembly .. ... 10 Vagrancy offences not otherwise speci- 654 tied in this return Wounding with intent .. .. 3 1 a ;j 171 2 2 301 7 171 2 2 291 7 .. .. 132 22 17 .. .. .. 2 I I .. 7 .. 250 17 17 .. .... 7 I 1 '.'. 2 I .. 1 .. 2 .. 2 19 .." 2 1 1 27 20 I 8 4 .. 27 25 3 .... 18 1 8 .. .. .. 4 II .. 5 .... 3 5 11 11 6 6 396 II 13 121 388 9 13 120 323 7 30 1 I 1 1 I I 44 '.'.]'.'. 323 34 30 I 1 | .. 7 .. 1 .. L3 2 .. 104 2 12 .. I 104 12 1 '.'. 44 2 .. 3 .. 10 10 9 4 235 974 249 13 19 83 54 1.0 6 (i 7 4 235 969 249 12 19 83 54 10 6 6 5 1 I 4 .... .122 112 I .. 1 .. 831 70 65 2 .... 241 1 6 1 1 .. 9 .. 2 .. 122 831 241 9 14 76 46 I 65 6 2 5 6 8 3 1 2 1 5 4 4 30 .. 104 .. 53 . . 12 .. 25 .. 40 .. 4 .... 14 .. 5 .. .... 76 I 6 .. .. .. 46 .. 8 . . 6 1 .. .. 3 .. .. .. 5 I. .. . . a 3 '' I 8 5 6 8 3 .. 8 .... 6 6 5 53 77 23 6 5 53 77 23 3 3 . . 3 | 2 .. 7 .. 33 2 10 I m O A 33 71 18 2 2 3 2 10 4 5 i I 2 6 3 7 6 (i .. 3 7 6 .... 71 2 4 .. I O K .... 18 .. 5 .. 4 4 18 3 '2 '.'. '.'. '.'. i .'. 1 I .'. 18 3 . . 2 2 173 13 I 4 108 93 50 82 46 2,562 2 2 171 13 I 4 108 93 48 82 42 2.114 5 "s 1 •• I ■• I 17 1 I 42 2 I .'. I 6 no ii 2 6 37 . . 13 .. 110 17 42 2 1 1 O .... 11 .. 2 .. 1 3 .. I i no r. i 3 3 3 4 103 .. 5 63 47 70 27 1 ,734 103 2 28 I 3 8 134 5 4 30 .. 15 .. .... 63 2 28 .. An i .... 47 I .. 1 .. 70 7 3 1 7 4 117 1 3 18 I 6 4 6 4 2 3 I 07 A a •! .... 27 4 83 .... itt a o 109 2 1,734 117 134 18 101 "l 2 3 22 97 271 50 42 7 2 16 18 2 3 47 22 97 151 40 25 5 2 13 18 2 3 47 2 .. 18 .. 2 .. 48 .. 43 I 5 .. 39 .. 99 5 8 .. 19 4 9 I 7 .. 17 .. 2 .. 6 .. A 1 .. .. 4 .. I .. 18 43 99 9 2 4 I 5 I 2 5 8 7 6 I 2 2 46 38 14 2 10 I 12 .. 32 .. 82 .. 5 .. 13 . . 2 ■z 3 2 .. 10 .. 3 II.. 6 . . I .. I I 3 6 I 3 38 I I 2 '.'. 9 3 6 9 I .. 9 .... I .. I .. .... 3 9 I 14 .. I .... 38 .. 9 .. 129 129 .... 110 14 5 .. 110 14 5 55 .. 10 766 766 Ki n no ' n*> o .. .. 517 168 j 73 8 517 168 73 8 10 112 .. 5 5 : 8 .. 1 .. I 1 .. 1 1 I 2 .. Totals .. .. .. 1)5,415 775 II; 2,824 076 27,563 26,494 948 21 22.327 1,809 1,287 IOL» 676 !,148 I Inc., 2,148

H.—l6.

APPENDIX B. Return showing the Strength and Distribution of the New Zealand Police Force on the 31st March, 1915.

16

, 3 ii '.- *= u a Stations. »,«' 3 a I, .|»| ,51 o : U C 4^ cp CD C . «•■• 1 SB H 4ai C I » ■- , C Lc o j D rj; :r. f., co B Ii 1 CO Cf C£ k o8| e? — -w . o CO *J .2 12 nc-' 5 Q|Rt/J|Q| oj o w CD 0J.-H -S'B Stli liens. . • ; to 10* •?a 2;a3 ir. tfj *J +3 ° s s \J- <D . 0) CD 03 o , m I a i o o so ! ® «; I w to CD > jS ■ CD , <V ! ,£'43 0 gS'43 flB * 32 Iff IS* £ 01 Q CO CO p. CO co ■"£ .22 It It n a :H O O CO CO 41*7; £■5 hi ■*» ; 1 1 I I >i lUckland District— Auckland .. 1 Aratapu Avon dale Birkenhead Cowes Dargaville Devonport .. - .. Ellerslie Epsom Freeman's Bay.. Grey Lynn Helensville Herekino Hikurangi ... Hobsonville Houhora Howick Kaikohe Kaitaia Kawakawa Kingsland Mangawai .. ■ • Mangonui Maungaturoto Mercer Mount Albert Mount Eden .. Mount Eden South .. Mount Roskill Newmarket Newton Northcote Ohaeawai Okupu (G. Barr'r) Onehunga Otahuhu Pan mure Papakura Parnell Ponsonby Pukekohe Queen St. Wharf Rawene Remuera Russell Takapuna Waipu .. I .. Waiuku Warkworth Wellsford .. Whangaroi Whangaroa 1 1 1 1 6 i i 67 1 16 2 87 .. 1 1 .. 1 1 .. 1 1 .. 1 i .. 2 .. 3 1 .. 4 .. , i 1 .. 1 .. 1 .. 1 .. 3 3 1 1 .. 1 1 .. 1 1 .. 1 1 .. 1 1 .. 1 1 1 1 .. l ; .. l .. .1 .. i .. l l .. l l .. 1 1 l l l l .. l l l l .. 1 1 l l .. 67 ii 1 1 87 1 1 1 2 4 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7 1 1 5 16 1 Hamilton District--continued. Te Aroha Te Awamutu Te Kali a Te Kuiti Te Puke Te Whaite Thames Tokaanu Waihi Waikino Whakatane Whitianga Totals Napier DistrictNapier Carlyle Street .. Olive Danuovirkc Gisborne Hastings Havelock North Herbertville Matawai Mohaka Motn Nuhaka Ongaonga Orinondville Patutahi Porangahau Port Awanui Spit (Napier) Taradalo Te Karaka Tokomaru Bay .. Tolaga Bay Tuparoa Waipawa Waipiro Bay Waipukurau Wairoa Weber Whataupoko Woodville .. 1 .. .. 1 .. :::: 'i 1 'i I 2 '• i 5 i i l i 2 1 2 1 4 1 5 1 1 1 52 10 .. 1 .. " " 1 .. 1 'x 1 14 1 1 2 11 7 1 i 8 1 6 1 6 1 1 1 61 i 2 i i '2 3 6 7 .. 1 1 .. 1 1 .. 4 5 .. 11 .. .. 1 .. 16 .. 1 i i i 3 1 .. 1 .. 1 1 'l 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 4 .. a 2 .. 3 2 "i 2 2 2 • • 1 1 1 1 1 1 .. 3 4 .. 3 .... 1 .. 5 .. 1 3 3 2 :' 1 1 4 5 3 8 3 1 1 1 1 1 i l i i 1 Totals .. 1 1 i 1 l 1 46 1 2 56 i l i i Wanganui District — Wanganui Aramoho Ashhurst Bull's Eltham Eeilding Pitzroy Poxton Gonville Hawera Huntervillo Inglewood Kimbolton Manaia Mangaweka Marton Moawbango Mokau New Plymouth .. Norman by Ohakune Opunake Palmerston North Patea Raetihi Rahotu Rongotea Shannon .. 1 .. .. .. i .. .'. i 3 1 8 i 2 186 5 3 1 12 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 16 Totals .. 1 i 1 1 18 150 1 lamilton District — Hamilton .. j Cambridge .. .. Coromandel .. .. Frankton Junction! .. Hikuai Huntly .. Karangahake Katikati Kawhia Kihikihi .. Kirikiriroa Matiero Morrinsville Ngaruawahia Ongarue Opotiki Otorohanga Raglan Raurimu Rotorua Shortland Taumarunui Taupo Tauranga 1 5 2 2 7 2 2 i i i i i i i i '2 1 5 1 1 1 10 1 1 1 1 1 •« i 14 i i i ..

EL—l6.

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

17

Stations. t tg» CO' I , CO , o a o a a ■3 cd cd a aj oi »„ | CD ! CD ! 03 03: en I d . fl ' o O | so CD ■4- > " .233 52' CO «i I CO CO I C. 4= 41 ,■ CO SO t> Sf ■>■ o co i 35 9 33 oi o) o 33 a -g ox ai co co Q co % < % x \q\ Qj o i ' iji if, •-. o o Stations. It 2 HI Hi g c CO Q. Hi a » u4 $ o a a § a I w o 7: tn a O o do sol (, dti f^i'S^i iO O « Mj co 01 0) y I .2 co l Uu o H ir, fl I 0 M t»| Q q o co" n Wanganui District— continued. St. John's (Wanganui) Stratford Taihape Terrace End (Palmerston N.) Tewera Waitara Waitotara Wanganui East.. Wavorley Whangamomona Willis Street (Palmerston N.) 1 1 2 2 1 8 Greymouth District— continued. Reef ton Rimu Ross Scddonville Stafford Waiuta Westport .. .. 1 2 1 1 .. .... 1 .. .... 1 .. .... 1 .... 1 5 3 1 I 1 1 1 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Totals Christehurch DI s - trict— Christehurch Addington Akaroa Annat Amberley Ashburton .. | Belfast .. I Bealey Plat Bingsland Chatham Islands Cheviot Coalgate Culverden Pairlie Pendallon Geraldine Glenavy Islington Kaiapoi Kaikoura Leeston Lincoln Linwood Little River Lyttolton Methvi'ii Now Brighton . . Oxford Papanui Phillipstown Pleasant Point .. Rakaia Rangiora Riccarton St. Albans St. Andrew's Southbridge Sumner Sydenham Temuka Timaru Waikari Waimataitai Waimate Woolston .. 1 l_. .. II 30 ... 42 1 2 6 49 1 2 .. ..'.. 2 .. .. .. 1 .. ..!..; 1 ±t\ I .. .... 1 ...... l .. .. •• 1 1 .. .. ..j 1 .. .. ..! 1 .. .. •• 1 .. .... 1 .. .. •• 2 1 .. .... 1 ...... 2 .. .... 1 .. .. •• 1 .. .... 1 .. .. •• 1 1 .. 1 ■ • 5 .. ..•• 1 .. .... 1 1 1 ! 1 1 ...... 1 .... 1 1 .. .... 1 .... 1 1 I .. .... 1 .. .... 1 .. .. lj i .. .. 1 1 1 1 ..| 9 1 2 Totals Wellington DistrictWellington Blenheim Brooklyn Carterton Clyde Quay Collingwood Eastbourne Eketahuna Peatherston Greytown North Havclock Island Bay Johnsonvillo Karori Kilbirnie Ijevin Lower Hutt Mahakipawa Mangatainoka . Manners Street.. Martinborough .. Masterton Motueka Mount Cook Nelson Otaki Pahiatua Petone Picton Poegaroa Richmond Seddon Takaka Te Nui The Port Thorndon Quay.. Tinakori Road .. Upper Hutt Wakefield Wellington South 1 1 2 2 1 7 5 1 68 45 4 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 ] ] i 1 2 2 2 1 2 3 .. 82 1 03 .. 5 .. : 1 .. 2 .. 1 .. 1 .. 1 .. 1 .. 1 ..i 1 .. 1 I .. I .. 1 ..' 2 .. 2 2 1 .. .. .. .. '.'. .. .. .. '.'.{.'. ' • " . . .. ■ -I • • ::i:: ..; 3 3 08 3 2 1 1 6 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 7 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 5 2 12 •• 1 20 1 3 1 24 7 1 2 2 2 3 ..I 1 .. 24 .. 1 .. i .. 1 .. 29 .. 8 •• 1 ••I 2 ••! 3 • •I 2 • •i i ; 1 .j i .. i .. i ..i i ..i i ■•i i •■I 4 11177 i 4 1 i l a ii . ,i .. .... i .. .. .. j.. . .i.. '.. "\ 'i .. .. .. 1 .. .. l| 2 ...... 1 2 512116 1 3 1 i Totals 1 .. 1 8 3 I 17 1 1 I 1 4 145 4 Totals 15 1 3 5 l — i — Greymouth District Greymouth Ahaura Blackball Blackwater Brunnerton Charleston Cobden Denniston Dunollie Giobe Mine Granitv Hokitika Karamea Kumara Murchison Okarito Otira l l i 5 1 I 1 I 1 1 1 I I 1 3 1 1 I I 2 .. 8 .. 1 .. 1 .. 1 .. 1 .. 1 .. 1 .. 1 .. I .. 1 .. 1 •■! 4 ..I 1 .. 1 .. 1 .. 2 Dunedin District — Dunedin Alexandra Anderson's Bay.. Balolutha Caversham Clyde Cromwell Duntroon Green Island Hampden Kaitangata Kurow I iawrence Middlemarch Milton Mornington Mosgiel 1 .. 1 1 5| 37 .. .... 1 :: :::: 1 .. .... i .. .. ii i ; 1 1 1 1 1 I .... 1 1 ::::: i i .j .... i 1 2 48 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 ..[.. ..I.. ..I..

FT.—lO.

APPENDIX B— continued.

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

Approximate Cost of Paper.. -Preparation, not given ; printing 11 .'ifiO copies,) £17 10s.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9ls.

Pricr. 9d.}

18

Return si rfOVVUN Hi THE BtR -ENGT H, ETC., ( 'he New Zealanj 'HE LiICIi 2 For 1( IB- — eon/intfi ea. [a 2 Stations. cojo CO [/j I 1£ +J ',343 CD 5 <U a cc a to CO 3 3 S ! jfj S3.g 3 •sl cd QC QC co ?> CD JJ cd : CD 2 cd CO co tit > w co S § | CD CD a CD H 4J 30 0 Q Sf.S ™ -22 '3o « : « ™ O CD ° I 3 <* c o co S2 ■3 =3 CO CO A a o o Stations. 'S a *■- 3 B o 01 CO a. CO a — 10 . 0 •G ft| co 3 I SO CO .23 1 : a CD 0 1 CD W SO § • co on co01 2 cd CO a o o SO CD ro so CD >j£ CD w l> 'H r > CD - *» Jg "- 3 O © O « ' Q 0) H tlfj CO CD fi CD CD 1 01 a 33 '.-3 01 c 3 <t Q "3 o SO e CD 23 Sfl Si a a c »| 3* ™ co a a o o 1 Dunedin District— continued. Naseby North Dunedin North-east Valley Oamaru Ophir Outram Owaka Palmerston South Port Chalmers Portobello Ranfurly Ravensbourno Roslyn Roxburgh St. Bathan's St. Clair St. Kilda .. .. South Dunedin Waikouaiti Waitahuna Waitati Woodhaugb i .. Ii .. .. 1 4 .. .. .. 1 .. .. .J 7 ..' 1 .. .. ..j 1 ..I 1 .. .. .. 1 .. .. 1 4 . . .. ..: 1 .. .. ..I 1 .. .. ..! 1 .. .. ..j 2 .. .. ..| 1 .. .. .. 1 .. .. .. 1 .. .. .. 1 .. .. l! 5; .. .. ..j l| .. .. .. 1 .. .. ..; 1 .. .. ..| ll .. .. .. .1 .. 5 .. 1 .. 8 .. 1 .. 1 .. 1 .. 1 .. 5 .. 1 1 .. 1 .. 2 .. 1 .. 1 .. 1 .. 1 .. 0 .. 1 .. 1 .. 1 .. 1 Invercargill D i s - triet — -continued. Clinton Gladstone Gore Half-moon Bay.. Lumsden Mataura Nightcaps North Invorcargill Orepuki Otautau Pembroke Queonstown Riverton South Invercargill Papanui Waikaia Win ton Wyndham i 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 li 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 ..! .. Totals .. 1 1 3 34 .. 1 40 Totals .. 1 Invercargill District— Invercargill Arrowtown Bluff .. .. 1 .. 1 I 2 10, 92 1 2 I ■ ..109 _- Attached to headquarters staff On leave prior to retirement Lent to Cook Islands Administration On indefinite leave (Army Reservists) 1 1 3 1 3 3 I 1 .. 1 11 ..; 1 > I ::|:; I . . 15 ::l I 4 7 | 4 14 911 4 7 Grand totals 8 21 79 1 748] 19 7 14

Place. New Zealand Victoria New South Wales Queensland South Australia.. Western Australia Tasmania •• Number of Police. 911 1,735 2,518 1,090 562 495 235 Estimated Population (.list Dec., 1914). 1,145,840 1,430,667 1,863,481 676,707 445,663 323,018 201,416 Proportion of Police to Population. 1 to 1,257 1 to 824 1 to 740 1 to 620 1 to 793 1 to 652 1 to 857 Cost of Police per Inhabitant. s. d. 4 1 5 If 6 fll 8 if 6 H 8 6 4 8J