Papers Past | Parliamentary Papers | Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives | 1941 Session I | THE POLICE FORCE OF THE DOMINION. (ANNUAL REPORT...

Image
Text
Research info
Title and Usage info

H.—l6.

1941. NEW ZEALAND.

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

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

The Commissioner of Police to the Hon. the Minister in Charge op Police Department. Police Department, Wellington, 10th July, 1941. I have the honour to present the annual report on the Police Force for the year ended 31st March last. Strength op Force. On the 31st March last the number of members of the Force of all ranks was 1,509, being an increase of fifty-two during the year. The total is made up as follows:— Superintendents .. .. .. .. .. 4 Inspectors .. . . . . .. . . . . 17 Sub-Inspectors .. .. .. .. . . 7 Senior sergeants . . . . . . . . . . 42 Sergeants .. .. .. .. .. .. 113 Constables .. .. .. .. . . 1,094 Temporary constables . . . . . . . . 135 Senior detectives .. . . .. .. .. 5 Detective-sergeants .. .. .. .. .. 36 Detectives .. .. .. .. .. .. 56 In addition to the above there were — Police surgeons .. .. .. .. .. 15 Matrons .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 District constables .. .. .. .. .. 3 Native constable .. .. .. .. .. 1 The temporary constables were appointed under section 2 of the Police Force Amendment Act, 1919, the majority of them being on probation with a view to filling vacancies in the permanent staff if found suitable. The following are the losses in personnel for the year ended 31st March last: Retired on pension under the Public Service Superannuation Act, 8 ; retired as medically unfit, 11 ; died, 11 ; resigned voluntarily, 52 ; dismissed, 13 : total, 95. Stations. New stations were established during the year at Trentham and Waiouru, and the name of the station at Pembroke changed to Wanaka, Criminal Statistics. The criminal statistics (Appendix A) deal with offences reported to the police during the year ended 31st December last, and show an aggregate net decrease of 1,369 on the figures of 1939. The percentage of offences to the population was 2-75, as against 2-83 the previous year. There were increases during the year under the following headings, viz. : — Subversive statements : Making, publishing, Unlawfully using horses, motor-cars, &c. .. 200 &c. . . . . . . 60 Unlawfully on premises at night without Indecently assaulting a male .. .. 37 criminal intent .. .. 24 Assault, indecent .. .. 26 Found on premises where liquor seized under Theft (petty) .. .. .. .. 781 a warrant .. .. .. 67 Burglary : House and shop breaking .. 136 In possession of liquor in vicinity of danceArson .. . . .. 41 halls, &c. .. . . . . . . 1040 Mischief .. .. .. ..187 Opium: Smoking, &c. .. .. .. 21 Using profane, indecent, or obscene language 34- Arms Act, breaches of .. .. .. 60 The principal decreases were- — False statements and declarations .. 52 Selling or supplying liquor or exposing for False pretences .. .. 88 sale, or opening or keeping open premises Obtaining credit by fraud .. .. 38 Q at unauthorized times .. 31 . . I*, , , • i Supplying liquor to persons under twentv-one Receiving property dishonestly obtained .. 37 yeaj S 41 Forgery and uttering . . . . 47 Illegally supplying liquor to Natives . . 78 Breach of the peace or behaviour with intent 40 Breaches of prohibition orders .. .. 163 Drunkenness, &c. .. .. .. 465 Found on licensed premises after closing Exposure of person and grossly indecent acts 49 hours .. .. .. .. 103 Vagrancy .. . . . . 75 Offences against provisions in force in noAssaulting, obstructing, or resisting the police 20 license districts .. . . .. 27 Gaming offences .. .. .. 97 Offences against provisions of no-licence in Damaging post-office boxes and telegraph Native proclaimed areas .. .. 39 equipment .. .. .. ..51 Being intoxicated in charge of a motor-vehicle 122 Maintenance offences .. .. .. 697 Reckless or negligent driving . . .. 808 Ship desertion .. ~ .. ~ 102 Minor breaches of Motor-Vehicles Act .. 662

I—H. 16.

H.—l6.

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 : —

The percentage of arrests or summonses resulting from offences reported during the year 1940 was 92-5, the figures of the preceding year being 93-07. Serious Crimes. The following is a return of the number of serious crimes as compared with the previous year : —

Indecent and sexual offences were as under

Number of Offences Number in which pi' tv + • Number of in which Arrests no Arrests 0 6 13 net. Offences reported. or Summonses or Summonses resulted. resulted. Whangarei .. .. .. .. 1,491 1,415 76 Auckland .. .. .. .. .. 11,477 10,610 867 Hamilton .. .. .. .. .. 3,234 2,878 356 Gisborne .. .. .. .. .. 1,643 1,601 42 Napier .. .. .. .. .. 1,743 1,593 150 New Plymouth .. .. .. .. 1,087 1,072 15 Wanganui .. .. .. .. .. 1,567 1,476 91 Palmerston North .. .. 1,956 1,832 124 Wellington.. .. .. .. .. 8,700 8,080 620 Nelson .. .. .. .. .. 841 822 19 Greymouth .. .. .. .. 1,136 1,082 54 Christchurch .. .. .. .. 5,537 4,722 815 Timaru .. .. .. .. .. 790 742 48 Dunedin .. .. .. .. .. 2,663 2,589 74 Invercargill .. .. .. .. 1,144 1,107 37 Totals .. .. .. .. 45,009 41,621 3,388

1939. 1940. Crimes. „ , f Number of , T , Number of Number of . Number of Offences in Offences in . j whichArrests , , which Arrests reported. resulted reported. resu , ted Arson .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 13 56 55 Robbery and aggravated robbery .. .. .. 17 14 28 13 Burglary, breaking into shops, dwellings, &c. .. 1,603 1,012 1,733 1,285 Forgery and uttering .. .. .. .. 130 125 83 81 Murder.. .. .. .. . . . . 4 4 4 4 Murder, attempted .. .. .. .. 4 4 1 1 Rape .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 11 7 7 Receiving stolen property .. .. .. 176 175 139 ] 39 Wounding with intent .. .. .. .. 2 2 3 3 Totals .. .. .. .. 1,962 1,360 2,054 1,588

Offences. j 1939. j 1940. j | Unnatural offence .. .. .. .. .. 26 10 Unnatural offence, attempted .. .. .. .. 6 3 Indecently assaulting a male .. .. .. .. 68 105 Incest .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 13 Indecent acts .. .. .. .. .. 38 37 Concealment of birth .. .. .. .. .. 7 4 Assault, indecent .. .. .. .. .. 149 175 Rape .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 7 Rape, attempted .. .. .. .. .. 4 6 Carnally knowing girls .. .. .. .. 119 105 Carnally knowing girls, attempted .. .. .. 21 15 Abortion, procuring, &c. .. .. .. ... 10 16 Exposure of person and grossly indecent acts .. .. 242 193 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 709 689

H.—l6.

Drunkenness. There has been a decrease of 465 in the number of prosecutions for drunkenness during the year as compared with the previous year. The number charged with drunkenness in 1940 was 5,470 (5,317 males and 153 females), whereas in 1939 the number was 5,935 (5,788 males and 147 females). From the following table it has been ascertained that 32-33 per cent, of the males and 39-21 per cent, of the females had previous convictions recorded against them, and 3-1 per cent, of the males were not permanent residents of the Dominion.

Return showing the Number of Persons charged with Drunkenness during the Year 1940, and the Number of Previous Convictions against them, so far as is known.

Number of foregoing who were members of the crews of vessels in port, 165. The following table shows the convictions for drunkenness per ten thousand of the population for each year from 1935 to 1939 in Australia and New Zealand : — 1035. 1936. 1937. 1938. 1939. Commonwealth .. .. 76-3 83-7 78-4 80-1 88-2 New Zealand .. .. 21-6 28-8 31-6 35-8 39-6 Prosecutions against Hotelkeepers. The number of prosecutions against hotelkeepers during the year shows a decrease of 8 as compared with the preceding year. There were 620 prosecutions, resulting in 476 convictions, during 1940, as against 628 prosecutions and 469 convictions in 1939. Sly-grog Selling. There were 171 prosecutions during the year for selling liquor without a license, resulting in 156 convictions, and there were also 43 prosecutions, resulting in 42 convictions, for other offences against the provisions of the Licensing Act in force in no-license districts. The fines imposed on the sly-grog sellers during the year 1940 amounted to £1,859. Gaming Offences. There were 394 prosecutions, resulting in 376 convictions, during the year under the Gaming Act, against 491 prosecutions and 463 convictions in 1939. Prosecutions of Bookmakers. The following return shows the result of prosecutions in connection with bookmaking during the year ended 31st March, 1941 :—

Males. Females. Total. Not previously convicted .. .. .. 3,598 93 3,691 One previous conviction .. .. .. 547 19 566 Two previous convictions .. .. .. 292 12 304 Three previous convictions .. .. .. 210 2 212 Four previous convictions .. .. .. 131 4 135 Five previous convictions .. .. .. 98 4 102 Over five previous convictions .. .. 441 19 460 Totals .. .. 5,317 153 5,470

. Number of Number of Amount of Fines n ' Prosecutions. Convictions. imposed. . £ s. d. Carrying on business of bookmaker .. .. 93 92 4,372 10 0 Keeping common gaming-house .. .. 95 93 4,060 0 0 Found in common gaming-house .. .. 22 20 29 0 0 Laying totalizator odds .. .. .. 3 3 22 10 0 Publishing betting-charts .. .. .. 2 2 25 0 0 Street betting .. .. .. .. 1 1 25 0 0 Betting with bookmaker .. .. .. 15 15 70 0 0 Totals .. .. 231 226 8,604 0 0

H.—l6.

Growth of Department. The following return shows the growth of the Department, the population, and the total number of offences (irrespective of by-law offences) reported, and in which arrests or summonses resulted, at each tenth year since 1877, prior to which date each province in the Dominion had its own Police Force. The figures for 1939, 1940, and 1941, are also shown : —

Police Prosecutions.

The following is a return of the number of convictions for which fines were imposed and the total amount of such fines in respect of prosecutions instituted by the police during the year ended 31st March, 1941.

Criminal Registration Branch. At Headquarters during the year the finger impressions of 3,055 persons were received, classified, indexed, and filed ; 2.19 persons were identified as previous offenders who, had it not been for the fingerprint system, would have passed as first offenders ; 1,890 photographs were taken by the photographers attached to the Branch ; the photographs of 2,727 prisoners (4,941 photographs) were received and dealt with ; 784 photographs were reproduced in the Police Gazette; 15 wanted persons located ; and 1 unknown deceased person identified by finger-prints. Finger-prints left by offenders when committing 23 crimes were identified as belonging to 14 persons, who were prosecuted. All pleaded guilty with the exception of one, who was convicted at the Supreme Court on finger-print evidence. In one of the cases mentioned above two portions of finger-prints were found on an oak desk at the scene where a safe had been blown open and its contents stolon. A search in the single finger-print collection revealed corresponding impressions belonging to a previous offender. As it was considered unlikely that this person would use explosives, arrangements were made to have him watched, which led to the discovery that he was consorting with a well-known safe-blower. Through this information the notorious safe-blower, with another man, was located during the following week-end, and both arrested for being in possession of housebreaking instruments and explosives at night, for which offence they were lyrth sentenced to terms of imprisonment. A few days after this arrest the person whose finger-prints had been identified was arrested, but in the meantime his prints had been found to agree with those from various premises which had been feloniously entered. After having denied all knowledge of these crimes he was finally found guilty and sentenced for six charges of burglary, the principal evidence in each case being that of finger-prints. Finger-prints of 249 persons were received for inquiry from other countries, of which 36 were identified as those of persons previously convicted in New Zealand ; the finger impressions of 66 New Zealand offenders were sent overseas for inquiry, 29 being identified as having been previously convicted outside this Dominion. It is interesting to note that in New Zealand the finger-print system has, to date, been responsible for the identification of 7,691 persons. In conjunction with the Arms Bureau, various photographs and lecture slides were prepared.

■S <3 . Offences Arrests for §ja ® o tj t j. Cost per p.™. where Drunkenness Year. « SO -fc 3 Total. T> 01 , ce .. 0 Inhabit- Population. e 'l e f Arrests or (included in « 1 I Population. anfc> reported. Summonses offences ® >° S " o resulted. reported"). ' o fcj Q o 1878 25 90 14 329 458 1 to 944 * 432,352 14,157 13,959 6,668 1888 13 69 17 388 487 1 to 1,328 3/lf 646,913 12,897 11,854 5,387 1898 7 56 16 457 536 1 to 1,435 2/8 768,910 16,378 14,730 5,532 1908 15 j 83 32 604 734- 1 to 1,331 3/2J 977.215 23,510 22,484 10,343 1918 20 1111 38 732'j" 901 1 to 1,274 4/6| 1,147,391 19,067 18,043 7,228 1928 23 H27 54 913f 1,117 1 to 1,301 5/9 1,453,517 33,138 30,622 6,601 1938 26 145 93 l,164f1,428 1 to 1,123 7/6 1,604,479 44,308 41,618 5,446 1939 27 148 91 1,173+1,439 1 to 1,129 7/5-| 1,624,714 46,378 43,162 5,935 1940 27 149 90 1,19111,457 1 to 1,126 7/8h 1,640,901 45,009 41,619 5,470 1941 28|155 97 l,229f 1,509 1 to 1,084 7/llj 1,636,230 * Not obtainable. f Includes temporary constables.

,, , Number of Total Amount of Fines payable to Convictions. Fines imposed. £ s. d. Consolidated Fund .. .. .. .. .. .. 19,449 44,627 16 3 Local authorities (by-law offences) .. .. .. . . 319 223 4 0 Total .. .. .. .. 19,768 £44,851 0 3

H.—l6.

The finger-print system of identification was introduced in March, 1903, and the following table shows the increase in the finger-print collection in five-year periods from 1905 and for the years 1940 and 1941 —

Auckland Criminal Registration Branch. —On 31st March, 1941, the finger-print collection in Auckland totalled 7,964 sets, being made tip as follows : Males, 7,502 ; females, 421 ; and foreign, 41 sets. During the year 953 sets of finger-prints were received from the Mount Eden Prison or taken at the Criminal Registration Branch, and were duly classified, searched, and filed. The photographs of 216 prisoners were taken and 1,080 prints were taken from the negatives ; also a number of photographs of scenes of crimes and motor accidents, &c., were taken, the total number of photographs produced by the Branch during the year being 1,804. Three volumes —{i.e., 900 photographs) —of Now South Wales prisoners' photographs were received, card indexed, and the cards filled in order of finger-print classification. The remanded prisoner forms with the results of the cases inserted for 433 prisoners were dealt with and returned to the Criminal Registration Branch at Wellington. In eleven cases offenders who would not otherwise have been known as having been previously convicted were traced by their finger-prints, and in ten other cases finger-prints left by offenders when committing crimes were identified, and the offenders duly arrested and dealt with by the Courts. Most of these pleaded guilty, and in some cases admitted numerous other offences ; only in one case was it necessary to call finger-print evidence in Court. The " modus operandi " or " classification of crime " bureau is rapidly increasing in usefulness and is assuming large proportions ; approximately fifteen thousand cards, forms, photographs, &c., are already filed. Arms Bureau. The Arms Bureau has been fully occupied during the year carrying out the following duties: — Identification of firearms and bullets submitted in connection with cases being investigated by the police in which firearms had been used. Identification of metal objects from which owners' marks or serial numbers had been erased by filing or other method. Collection and classification of data relating to shooting fatalities and injuries. Preparation of evidence and giving evidence in Courts of justice and Coroners' Courts. Collection and classification of many types of firearms and ammunition ; and the recording and tabulation of ballistic information for future use of police. Lectures and instruction to police in relation to firearms. Lectures and demonstration to auxiliary police re accidents with firearms. Repair and overhaul of pistols for police use. Investigations in connection with accidents with firearms still constitute the main work of this Bureau. In nearly every fatal case a full report upon the condition of the firearm concerned was prepared for the Coroner. These reports sometimes assisted the Coroner to decide the cause of death, in many more instances he was able to decide whether the firearm was safe and to make an order for its proper repair or destruction if it was beyond repair. The total number of firearm accidents for 1940-41 is the lowest since the Arms Bureau was established. The figures run : 1935-36,40; 1936-37, 56; 1937-38, 51 ; 1938-39, 47 ; 1939 -40, 49 ; 1940—41, 39. Of the 1940-41 accidents 19 were fatal. There were 19 accidents with shotguns, and 12 of these were fatal. The hammer gun, as usual, was the heaviest contributor with 12 accidents (7 fatal). The hammerless provided 3 accidents (1 fatal). There were 3 accidents with bolt-action shot-guns, all fatal, and 1 with an auto-loading gun was also fatal. Rifles of -22 calibre are always prominent in accident reports, and have the following record for this year: 17 accidents, of which 6 were fatal. There were 3 pistol accidents, 1 fatal, and 2 non-fatal. One feature of the accidents was that many were due to the ease with which children obtained possession of firearms —seven boys under seventeen were killed through this cause and two others were injured. Of the total number accidentally shot during the year 17 were under twenty years of age. The average of injured persons was slightly under twenty-three years. Accidents occurred in the months of the year as follows ; April, 7 ; May, 4 ; June, 3 ; July, 3 ; August, 2 ; September, 8 ; October, 2 ; November, 1 ; December, 2 ; January, 6 ; February, 1 ; March, Nil : Total, 39. Reports regarding shooting accidents were received from the following police districts; Whangarei, 3 ; Auckland, 9 ; Hamilton, 5 ; Gisborne, 2 ; New Plymouth, 2 ; Wanganui, 2 ; Palmerston North, 1 ; Wellington, 6 ; Greymouth, 1 ; Christchurch, 1 ; Timaru, 2 ; Dunedin, 3 ; and Invercargill, 2.

Number of Increase on S0 ", Number of Increase on Year. Prints in Previous pilous Year ' PrintS hl I>revious Previous Collection. Period. Collection. Period. 1909 .. 8,718 5,218 525 1934 .. 48,545 7,693 1,107 1914 .. 15,302 6,584 879 1939 .. 55,801 7,256 1,115 1919 .. 22,332 7,030 939 194-0 .. 57,749 1,948 248 1924 .. 31,929 9,597 1,244 1941 .. 59,342 1,593 219 1929 .. 40,852 8,923 1,298

H.—l6.

Police Buildings, etc. The following works in connection with police-stations have been carried out during the year by the Public Works Department:— The police-stations at Rotorua and Port Chalmers were completed, and new stations were erected at St. Helier's Bay, Cheviot, Runanga, and Miramar. New offices were provided at Levin and Waimate, and lock-ups have been erected at Clyde, Lawrence, and Mokau. Land for a police-station was purchased at Glen Eden (Auckland), and residences were acquired for two Sub-Inspectors at Northland (Wellington) and for a constable at Lower Hutt. Repairs, renovations, and/or improvements were effected at the following stations : — Whangarei District. —Dargaville, Houhora, Kaeo, Kaikohe, Kaitaia, Kawakawa, Kohukohu, Mangonui, Maungaturoto, Rawene, Russell, Whangarei (station and three residences). Auckland District. —Coromandel, Manurewa, Mount Eden, Newton, Onehunga, Papakura, Papatoetoe, Point Chevalier, Remuera, Thames, and Tuakau. Hamilton District. —Hamilton (and two residences), Kawhia, Kihikihi, Matamata, Morrinsville, Paeroa, Tokaanu, and Waihi (and 2 residences). Gisborne District.—Gisborne, Matawai, and Tikitiki. Napier District. —Dannevirke, Hastings (and residence), Havelock North, Napier (and residence), Port Ahuriri, and Wairoa. New Plymouth District. —Fitzroy, Inglewood, Mokau, New Plymouth (and residence), Normanby, and Whangamomona. Wanganui District. —Hunterville, Ohura, Raurimu, Taihape, and Waitotara. Palmerston North District. —Ashhurst, Levin, Pahiatua, Palmerston North, Pongaroa, and Shannon. Wellington District.—Brooklyn, Greytown, Karori, Kelburn (residence), Lower Hutt (residence), Miramar, Mount Cook, Northland (residence), Petone, Taranaki Street, Trentham, Wellington South, and Wellington Central. Nelson District. —Blenheim, Murchison, Richmond, and Seddon. Greymouth District. —Ahaura, Blackball, Cobden, Denniston, Dunollie (residence), Granity, Hokitika (and 2 residences), Kumara, Reefton, Wataroa, and Westport. Christchurch District. —Akaroa, Amberley, Ashburton, Bingsland, Chatham Islands, Cheviot, Christchurch (and residence), Coalgate, Islington, Kaiapoi, Kaikoura, Little River, Lower Riccarton, Lyttelton (and two residences), New Brighton (and residence), Phillipstown, Rakaia, Sydenham, Waikari, and Woolston. Timaru District.—Fairlie, Geraldine, Hampden, Oamaru, and Waimate. Dunedin District. —Cromwell, Dunedin, Green Island, Lawrence, Middlemarch, Mornington, Naseby, Outram, Owaka, Port Chalmers (and residence), and Ranfurly. Invercargill District. —Arrowtown, Bluff, Gore, Invercargill (and residence), Lumsden, Nightcaps, Queenstown, Riverton, South Invercargill, Tapanui, and Winton. General. Efficiency.—The weekly lectures to junior constables have been continued, and are all the more necessary now that the training-school has been closed owing to war conditions, and such recruits as are available are placed on duty as probationary constables without the usual period of instruction in the training-school. As the result of the weekly lectures, these probationary constables have, 011 the whole, carried out their duties very well. The fortnightly lectures to senior constables, sergeants, and detectives have also been given as circumstances permitted. Arrangements were being made for lectures to be given by specialists, but owing to the difficulty in assembling the men in present circumstances the arrangement could not be carried into effect. Instruction in the handling and use of firearms has been given from time to time to members of the Force in the different districts by the Arms Expert attached to Headquarters. In order to provide for more efficient supervision of police duties in the four principal cities at night an additional senior sergeant has been appointed to the central station at each of those cities. There is now a senior member of the Force on duty at the central station throughout the twenty-four hours of each day. Recruiting.—The calling-up of single men for military service has had the effect of restricting the number of eligible candidates for the Force, as single men are not accepted. Much difficulty is now being experienced in obtaining suitable recruits to fill vacancies caused by deaths, retirements, &c., and to meet the additional calls upon the police arising out of war conditions. The number of eligible married candidates offering is limited and not sufficient to meet requirements. In June, 1940, it was found necessary to increase the strength of the Force by three sergeants and fifty constables to enable the police to undertake the supervision, in accordance with the provisions of the Shipping Safety Emergency Regulations 1940, of the wharves and shipping at the various ports in the Dominion at which overseas ships trade. Fortunately, the Department was able at the time to secure sufficient suitable recruits to meet the demand. Since then the position in regard to recruiting has become increasingly difficult, so much so that in March last it was found necessary to have an Emergency Regulation made prohibiting members from resigning from the Force without the permission of the Minister in Charge of the Department. It has also been found impossible on account of the shortage of staff to grant the applications of many members of the Force who desired leave to join the New Zealand Military Forces for service overseas. Appeals have been lodged by the National Service Department in respect of all members

H.—l6.

of the Force who have been drawn in the military service ballots, and their cases have been adjourned sine die. While the desire of members of the Force to take their part in the operations of the Military Forces of the Dominion overseas is fully appreciated, the necessity for maintaining an efficient Police Force in the Dominion cannot be overlooked. If all who desired to join the armed Services were released, the ranks of the Force would be so depleted that it would be practically impossible to maintain the necessary standard of efficiency. Conduct of Police.—The general conduct of the police has been very satisfactory. All branches of the Force have worked in harmony, arid some excellent work in the investigation and detection of crime has been accomplished. Of the four murders that occurred during the year and were detected the case at Waikino, near Waihi, was the only one that gave any difficulty in the detection. After some weeks of inquiry the offender was arrested and subsequently convicted of murder. The police engaged in the inquiries in this case did very fine work, and with the aid of chemistry and pathology a very strong case was presented to the Court. The additional duties caused by war conditions and the shortage of staff have been undertaken without complaint. Transport.—The efficiency of the transport system of the Department has been maintained throughout the year. The use by members of the Force outside the four centres of their own cars on police duty on payment of an annual or mileage allowance continues to give efficient and satisfactory service. In cases where extra running has been involved in the supervision of vital points and protected places an increased allowance has been granted to meet the additional cost. Some difficulty has been experienced by members of the Force, in common with other members of the community, in obtaining motor-car tires and tubes on account of the shortage of stocks in the Dominion. It is expected that some arrangements will be made at an early date to overcome this difficulty. It is of the utmost importance that efficient means of transport should always be available for members of the Force. Buildings. —Considering the difficulties in connection, with the shortage of draughtsmen for the preparation of plans and specifications, and of labour and materials, some very good work has been done during the year in the erection of new police-stations to replace buildings which have become beyond repair, and in the improvement and renovation of other stations. It is hoped that during the current year financial and other conditions will permit of work being done in connection with tbe many buildings still urgently requiring attention. Women Police. —During the year it was decided as a commencement to appoint ten women police under the provisions of the legislation which had been passed for that purpose. It is proposed to station three at Auckland and Wellington and two at Christchurch and Dunedin. Applications were invited, and after each suitable applicant had been interviewed personally by me a selection of ten candidates was made. These are now undergoing a period of three months' instruction in the training-school at Wellington, and, if they qualify, will in due course be posted to their respective Stations for duty. Liquor at Dunces. —The legislation prohibiting the drinking of liquor at dances has enabled the police to cope with a position that was causing considerable anxiety and has been instrumental in bringing about an abatement of an evil that was becoming widespread. The section requires slight amendment, and it is suggested that this be done during the coming session. That the law has been rigidly enforced is shown by the fact that during last, dancing season there were 1,058 convictions for offences of drinking or being in possession of liquor in or in the vicinity of dance halls. Aliens.—The immense amount of work arising out of the administration of the Aliens Regulations has necessitated the employment of a special staff, which has given excellent service. Comprehensive inquiries in respect of each enemy alien have been undertaken and completed. The police attend to the presentation of the facts before the Aliens Authority in each district, and before the Aliens Appeal Tribunal. I have received many expressions of commendation from the authorities on the able and efficient conduct of the inquiries and of amazement at the amount of work involved. Every enemy alien has been interviewed, and particulars of his or her previous history obtained and, as far as possible, verified to facilitate classification by an Aliens Authority. Provision is made for the classification of enemy aliens into five separate groups, according to the circumstances in each case. Very careful inquiries bave been made in all cases in which information has reached the police indicating that there is reason to doubt the bona fides of any particular alien. Upon the completion of the classification of enemy aliens a similar investigation was undertaken in regard to other nationals, several of whom have been brought before the authorities with a view to clarifying their position and, if necessary, to permit of their classification. War activities. —In addition to the supervision of the wharves and shipping and many vital points such as oil installations, freezing-works, fertilizer-works, power-stations, and numerous other important industries, and the large number of inquiries made on behalf of the Army, Navy, and Air Departments, a great deal of additional work has devolved upon the police. All has been undertaken cheerfully and given the best possible attention. Although the Force to-day is comprised of a very large number of men with short service, I am pleased to say that they are performing their duties with tact and energy and marked success. We have bad a good deal of trouble with a few organizations who persisted in subversive propaganda. A firm stand was taken in every case, and many prosecutions were taken with successful results. A very careful watch is being kept on these organizations and on individuals suspected of having subversive tendencies. This entails a great amount of supervision and extensive inquiries. In order to cope with the work now required to be performed by the Department an additional six sergeants and thirty-four constables are required at an annual cost of £14,454. Extracts from reports of officers in charge of districts are appended. D. J. Cummings, Commissioner of Police.

H.—l6.

EXTRACTS FROM THE ANNUAL REPORTS OE OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF DISTRICTS. Inspector Fox, Whangarei District. The total authorized strength of all ranks at 31st- March was forty-one, an increase of one constable (at Whangarei Station) since last annual report. The appointment of a sergeant to Kaikohe Station is recommended. The work is increasing, and, as stated in my last annual report, a sergeant there would be available to exercise supervision over and conduct Court cases for the surrounding stations at Rawene, Ohaeawai, and Kawakawa. The total number of offences reported during the year was 1,491, as against 1,577 last year, a decrease of 86. Arrests or summonses resulted in 1,415 cases, no action resulting in the remaining 76. Notable decreases are shown under the headings of theft, and breaking and entering. Unlawful carnal knowledge cases show an increase of 22, and supplying liquor to Natives an increase of 39. There were 74 convictions in the district during the year for the comparatively " new " offence of possession of liquor in the vicinity of dance-halls. Under the heading of serious crime mention may be made of a case where a (male) Maori, age fiftythree years, was charged with attempted murder, attempted suicide, and assault. Following his unwelcome attentions to a young girl, she was running away from him when he discharged two shots from a rifle in her direction, but did not injure her. He then turned the rifle on himself and fired, causing serious injuries, but he recovered. On the attempted murder charge he was acquitted at the Supreme Court, but was convicted on each of the other charges. General conduct of the police has been good, and the increasing duties, due to present conditions, are being cheerfully carried out. Two constables were fined for breaches of regulations. I wish to refer to section 59 of the Statutes Amendment Act, 1939 —the matter of intoxicating liquor at dances. The improvement in the general conduct at dances, brought about by this provision, has been very marked indeed in this district. Superintendent J. Cummings, Auckland District. On the 31st March last the actual strength of the Force was 328 of all ranks. I recommend an increase of fifteen constables for the Central Station, two sergeants for Mount Eden, and a constable for Papakura. The increase of the strength at the Central Station would enable all the necessary relieving duty to be performed and allow for sickness and casualties. The appointment of two sergeants at Mount Eden Station would enable proper supervision to be given at night to that area. The time is fast approaching when, a constable should be stationed at Sandringham, where a large number of State and other houses are being built. The appointment of an extra constable is necessary at Papakura on account of the increased traffic in the vicinity of the military mobilization camp there. The Criminal Registration Branch continues to render valuable assistance. The new station at Papakura is now occupied. A new station at St. Heliers is under construction and will soon be completed. A modern station is urgently required at Auckland Central, where the necessary land has been purchased. A new police-station is required at Mission Bay, a very popular and growing suburb. A new station is also required at Surfdale, Waiheke Island, where a number of people are now in permanent residence. New buildings are also required at Ilowick and Whitianga, where the existing buildings are beyond repair. Renovations and repairs were carried out at several stations during the year. A few more will require attention during the coming year. The offences return for the year ended 31st December last shows a total of 11,477 as compared with 12,043 for the previous year, a decrease of 566. Of the total number reported, 1.0,610 were accounted for by arrest or summons. The principal increases were in indecent assaults on males, incest, theft, robbery and aggravated robbery, arson, failing to maintain wife or children, sly-grog selling, supplying liquor to Natives in no-license areas, being in possession of liquor in vicinity of dance-halls, and breaches of Motorvehicles Act. There were decreases in unnatural offences, false statements and declarations, attempted suicide, assault with intent to commit crime, theft from dwellings, false pretences and obtaining credit by fraud, house or shop breaking, forgery and uttering, mischief, obscenity, vagrancy, assaulting or obstructing police, gaming offences, ship-desertion, permitting drunkenness, after hour trading on licensed premises, breach of prohibition orders, and drunkenness. The additional patrols instituted during the year are to a large extent responsible for a marked reduction in the number of many of the offences referred to. The following serious major crimes occurred during the year under review : — (1) On the 18th May, 1940, a Hindu was found dead with severe head injuries in a creek at Huntly West. Inquiries were made, and the offender was promptly arrested and charged with the crime. He was convicted of causing actual bodily harm and sentenced to four years' hard, labour. (2) On the evening of the Ist October, 1940, five prisoners, one of whom was a convicted murderer, violently assaulted the warders on duty at Mount Eden Prison. One of the warders, an elderly man, was seriously injured, and he, with two other warders who were rendered unconscious, was removed to hospital. Four of the prisoners escaped. All the prisoners were recaptured, and the ring-leaders were sentenced to twelve years' hard labour and to receive a flogging. About one hundred members of the detective and uniform branches were continuously engaged in the search for the four prisoners who had escaped. A constant patrol was maintained in fast motor-cars equipped with wireless receivingsets. The Auckland radio-stations co-operated in the search by broadcasting messages to the patrol cars. This enabled the search to be confined to the most likely area, and in this manner the maximum efficiency was obtained from the vehicles and men employed. The prisoners were eventually surrounded in rough country. The members of the Force worked long hours without complaint, and it was due to their energy and enthusiasm that the escapees were confined in the Auckland district and apprehended within one week after their sensational escape. The use of wireless in connection with the search for the missing prisoners brings into prominence the necessity for wireless being available to the police as in other countries, such as New South Wales, for example, where the system has proved an unqualified success. The conduct of the police in the district has been satisfactory during the year. On account of the war the high standard of recruit could not be maintained. A. number of temporary constables have been appointed, and they are giving satisfaction.

H.—l6.

Twelve constables were dealt with for breaches of the regulations. One constable was dismissed. The population of Auckland city and suburbs continues to increase, and additional patrols by night and day are required. I recommend that section 188 of the Justices of the Peace Act be amended to give a Magistrate power to deal with all thefts, including theft of animals, where the value does not exceed £50, and that section 189 (b) of the same Act be repealed. It has been found that where a person was previously convicted on indictment and after a lengthy period charged with a trivial theft the necessary machinery, as it now stands, compels him to be charged on indictment again, whereas he could be dealt with summarily by a Magistrate and thus save the country considerable expense. I also recommend that section 278 of the Crimes Act, 1908, be amended to include all buildings. I again recommend that " enclosed areas " in sections 52 (i) and 54 of the Police Offences Act, 1927, be defined to include that portion of land around a house or building which would in the ordinary manner have been enclosed with a fence. This would deal with schools and dwellings such as State houses where the front portions of the sections are not enclosed within the meaning of the Act. On the 31st March, 1941, there were nine motor-vehicles on charge at Auckland—viz., one van, one truck, four Chevrolet cars, two Ford cars, one motor-cycle. The vehicles are used for general police work and for escort of prisoners. One van, a Hillman oar, and a motor-cycle were disposed of during the year. The motor-cycle was replaced by a new machine. The other vehicles were not replaced. The two Ford cars at present on charge have now reached a stage where in the interests of efficiency they should be replaced. The number of vehicles has been reduced during the year, and the public demands require that the remaining vehicles are thoroughly reliable. The motor patrols continue to prove a success in checking and detecting crime. The necessity for special motor patrols, especially at night, has increased, and two motor-cars are continuously employed on general patrol and inspection of vital industrial points. The use of privately-owned motor-cars by members of the Force on payment of mileage or annual allowances continues to give satisfaction. The police continue to perform a large amount of work for other Government Departments. This work has increased considerably on account of the war. The members of the Force work in harmony with officials of other Departments, and they are indebted to Dr. Gilmour (Pathologist) and Mr. K. N. Griffin (Government Analyst) for their valuable assistance in technical matters arising out of police investigations. A number of experienced men resigned from the Force during the year. Many of them have joined the military Forces. They have been replaced by temporary constables and, although the Service was short of experienced men, it was found that the recruits were keen and energetic. The control and supervision of aliens and persons or organizations likely to hamper the war effort required the attention of a large number of the more experienced detectives and constables. The control of persons at the waterfront necessitated the increase of strength at the Queen Street Wharf Police-station. There are now twenty-six men stationed on the Auckland waterfront, and they are carrying out their duties in a very satisfactory manner. Inspector Edwards, Hamilton District. The authorized strength of the Force in the Hamilton District on the 31st March, 1941, was 88, being an increase of 1 over the previous year. During the year the Sub-Inspector at Rotorua was promoted to Inspector, and he still retains charge of that sub-district with the higher rank. A detective sergeant was appointed to Rotorua, and this has enabled detective inquiries to be greatly facilitated in that portion of the district. Police-stations are required at Piopio and at Ngongotaha. Both places are now fair-sized townships with an increasing population. The question of opening stations at these places has been previously discussed, and no doubt will be given effect to when normal conditions return. One additional sergeant and two constables are required in the Town of Hamilton. At present the strength of the Force is not sufficient to cope with all the duties required of it and allow for provision to be made for escort and relieving duties, sickness, and annual leave. A new station is in course of erection at Mount Maunganui and is expected to be ready for occupation at an early date. The offences return for the year ending 31st December, 1940, shows a total of 3,234 which is a decrease of 49 on the total (3,283) for the previous year. The principal increases were house or shop breaking, theft, unlawful conversion of motor-vehicles, having control of liquor in the vicinity of dance-halls, and being found in common gaming-houses. The principal decreases were failure to pay maintenance, and breaches of the Motor-vehicles Act. I might add that in respect to the offence of unlawful conversion of motor-vehicles the majority of offenders were youths between fourteen and twenty years of age. This leads one to believe that in many cases there is a lack of home control. The only serious crime committed during the year was the murder of a young married woman at Waikino. On the evening of 2nd April, 1940, a young married woman, employed at the Waikino Hotel, and a son of the licensee, whilst walking on the main road a short distance from the hotel, were run down by a motor-car. Their bodies were found next day, the boy's about a quarter of a mile, from the alleged scene where they were run down and the woman's about four miles away on a side road, in some fern. Medical evidence disclosed the fact that in addition to the injuries received from the car the woman had been criminally assaulted before death occurred, and had also been struck on. the head by a blunt instrument. At the time there was very little evidence to show how or by whom the injuries were committed. After extensive inquiries, in which some thousands of motor-vehicles were examined by the police over a wide area, the murderer was located at Waihi. Ho was later; convicted for the murder and sentenced to death, the sentence being later commuted to imprisonment for life. The conduct of the police in this district has been good, only one defaulter having to be dealt with for a breach of the regulations. Recent legislation, consisting mainly of regulations dealing with war measures, is working effectively and without undue hardship being occasioned.

2—H. 16.

H.—l6.

There are many cases of hit-and-run motorists where little damage is done, which I suggest could be more conveniently dealt with in the Magistrates' Courts instead of in the Supreme Courts. As section 5 of the Motor-vehicles Amendment Act, 1936, is at present worded there is no alternative but to deal with the offence indictably. I would suggest that this section be amended by the repeal of subsection (3), and, instead, that similar provision be made to that set out in subsection (3) of section 2 of the Police Offences Amendment Act, 1927. This would enable offences to be dealt with summarily or indictably according to the gravity of the offence. Inspector McLean, G-isborne District. There has been no increase or decrease in the authorized strength of the Force, in the district during the past year. The offences return for the year ended 31st December, 1940, shows a total of 1,643 offences reported, as compared with 1,755 the previous year, being a decrease of 112. Arrests and summonses resulted in 1,601 cases being dealt with, leaving 42 undetected. Of the cases dealt with, 85 were committed for trial or sentence, resulting in 81 convictions. The most noticeable increases were petty theft, theft from dwellings, house or shop breaking, &c., drunkenness, and being found on licensed premises after closing-hours. The principal decreases were illegally supplying liquor to Natives, breaches of prohibition orders, being intoxicated in charge of motor-vehicles, reckless or negligent driving, and other breaches of Motor-vehicles Act. The only serious crime committed was that of a man who killed his male friend and then committed suicide (both Maoris). The accused, who was living with a woman as man and wife, was quarrelling with her while in his car, and struck her heavily with his open hand or with his fist. The friend endeavoured to protect the woman, and the accused picked up the starting-handle of the car and hit him on the head with it, killing him. He then dragged the woman and man out of the car and drove off. The murderer was later found dead, having shot himself with a shotgun. The general conduct of members of the Force during the year has been very good, and their duties have been satisfactorily performed. There were no defaulters. Inspector Cameron, Napier District. On the 31st March, 1941, the actual strength of the Force in this district was 67, this being the authorized strength. There has been no change since last return. I recommend, as soon as circumstances permit, an increase of two constables at Hastings, one constable at Napier, and one constable at Wairoa. This would give more adequate supervision at night and also provide additional staff to cope with the work, which has increased considerably, particularly during the past year, as the result of the war. For the year ended 31st December, 1940, the total number of offences reported was 1,743, a decrease from the previous year of 233. Of the offences reported, 1,593 were accounted for by arrests or summonses, leaving 150 undetected. The principal increases were theft, false pretences, mischief, using indecent language, found on licensed premises after hours, and intoxication in charge of motor-vehicles. The principal decreases were house or shop breaking, receiving stolen property, drunkenness, unlawful conversion of cars, reckless or negligent driving, and other breaches of the Motor-vehicles Act. No serious crimes were committed during the year. The conduct of members of the Force has been good. One constable was dealt with for breaches of Police Regulations, and was subsequently dismissed from the Force. Inspector Shanahan, New Plymouth District. The actual strength of the Force in this district on the 31st March, 1941, was 50, being two constables below strength due to resignations. The early replacement of these two constables is necessary in order that the efficient performance of the duties of the Force, considerably increased due to war and other conditions, may be maintained. The total number of offences reported during the year ended 31st December, 1940, was 1,087, as compared with 1,116 for the previous year, being a decrease of 29. Of offences reported, 1,072 were accounted for by arrest or summons. The principal increases were indecent assault on males, procuring abortion, theft, false pretences, unlawfully using motor-cars, &c., offences under the Licensing Act, and being in possession of liquor in vicinity of dance-halls. The principal decreases were unnatural offences, indecent assault, common assault, drunkenness, grossly indecent acts, and offences under the Motor-vehicles Act. The conduct of the police has been good and the duties carried out in a very satisfactory manner. There has been no serious crime in the district during the past year. Inspector Dempsey, Wanganiji District. The authorized strength of the Police district at 31st March, 1941, was 59. There was an increase of three constables during the year, due to the opening of a police-station at Waiouru Military Camp and the temporary transfer of two constables to Wanganui for war purposes. The annual offences return for the year ended 31st December, 1940, showed a total of 1,567 offences reported during the year ; the total is the same as for the previous year. Of the total of 1,567, 1,476 were accounted for. Increases during the year include false pretences, drunkenness, being found on licensed premises after hours, breaches of provisions of Acts relating to the supply of liquor to Natives in Native licensing areas, and being in possession of liquor in the vicinity of dance-halls. Decreases include theft, housebreaking, unlawful use of motor-vehicles, intoxication in charge of motor-vehicles, and breaches of the Destitute Persons Act. On the 22nd September, 1940, at Manunui, a man was shot dead with a -22 calibre rifle by another man, following a dispute over possession of a house. At the Hamilton Supreme Court the accused was acquitted of murder, and, being found guilty of manslaughter, was sentenced to imprisonment for three months. On the 27th December, 1940, at Pipiriki, a female Maori aged fourteen, and a male Maori aged twenty-three, were found dead on a bed with their throats cut. Investigation showed that the couple had been keeping company against the wish of the girl's guardian and had agreed to die together. It seems clear that the man murdered the girl and then committed suicide.

H.—l6.

There were two prosecutions during the year for the crime of arson. In the first case a man and his wife and a male employee agreed to set fire to the rented house in which they lived at Waverley in order to secure the sum of £300 insurance moneys from the destruction of furniture. The male employee was convicted of the crime of arson, and the man and the woman were convicted of aiding and abetting the crime. In the second case the occupier of the house had taken his family to the seaside for the day, and a youth, a part-time employee, entered the house and stole money and then set fire to the house for the purpose of hiding his crime of theft. The youth was later ordered to be detained in a Borstal institution. The conduct of the police within the district has been very good, and extra work brought about by present conditions has been well and cheerfully performed. Three constables were dealt with for breaches of Police Regulations. Inspector Scott, Palmerston North District. The authorized strength of the Force in this district on the 31st March, 1941, was fifty-nine, an increase of one over the previous year due to the appointment of an additional constable at Marton Station, which has afforded much-needed assistance to the staff in that town. The new police offices at Levin have been completed and are now ready for occupation. These offices, which are planned on modern lines, should prove comfortable and convenient for the staff and will fill a long-felt want in this rapidly expanding town. The offences return for the year ending the 31st December, 1940, shows a total of 1,956 offences reported, against 2,377 for the previous year, a decrease of 421. Of the total number of offences reported, 1,832 were dealt with by arrest or summons. The principal increases were in house and shop breaking, vagrancy, and possessing liquor at dance-halls. The principal decreases were in sexual offences, theft, breaches of the Gaming Acts, Licensing Acts, and failing to maintain wives and children. The most noticeable decrease was in breaches of the Motor-vehicles Act, no doubt the result of fewer vehicles being on the roads owing to petrol-restrictions. During the year the following serious crimes were reported and dealt with : — On the 11th October, 1940, at Tiakorea, a man attempted to murder his daughter by cutting her throat, and then committed suicide. The young woman completely recovered. On the 20th October, 1940, the dead body of an infant was found on the Oroua River Bridge in circumstances that indicated the commission of a serious crime. Post-mortem examination disclosed that the child, had been born alive. As a result of co-ordinated effort between the detectives in Palmerston North, Wangamii, and New Plymouth districts, within five days a woman had been arrested at Hawera and a man at Ohakea. Both subsequently pleaded guilty to charges of procuring abortion and concealment of birth. When dealing with the female accused, His Honour the Chief Justice questioned the action of certain police officials and recommended that the matter be fully investigated by a competent tribunal. A Commission of Inquiry consisting of a Judge of the Supreme Court, the Solicitor-General, and the President of the Law Society was set up. After hearing the evidence of all the parties the Commission completely exonerated the members of the Force concerned and upheld the action taken. On the 16th November, 1940, near Bulls, two men were killed by a motor-car which was being driven on the wrong side of the road. The driver was arrested and committed for trial, but acquitted at the Supreme Court. Arising out of the death in Palmerston North Hospital of a young married woman as the result of an illegal operation, a man and a woman are now awaiting trial on a charge of manslaughter. During the year three constables were dealt with for breaches of Police Regulations. One was dismissed and the other two fined. Apart from these instances the conduct of all ranks has been very good and a high standard of efficiency maintained. Superintendent Lopdell, Wellington District. On the 31st March, 1941, the authorized strength of the district was 268 of all ranks, the actual strength 259. During the year the closing of the Centennial Exhibition reduced our authorized strength by 31, but shortly afterwards an increase in strength of Wharf Police by one sergeant and twenty-four constables was authorized to cope with additional work arising from the war. Further increase was authorized by the appointment of a sergeant to charge of Upper Hutt Station and an additional senior sergeant to Central Station. To cope with further requirements of Shipping Emergency Regulations, I must recommend the addition of one sergeant and eight constables to the strength of the Wharf Police. Further, to ensure adequate police protection and patrol at Upper Hutt, I recommend the transfer there of an additional constable. Owing to proximity of Trentham Military Camp this is now a very busy centre. On the sth July, 1940, a new police-station was opened at Trentham to allow for closer supervision of Trentham Township and the military camp. Offences reported during the year ended 31st December, 1940, numbered 8,700, of which 8,080 were dealt with by summons or arrest. Offences reported show an increase of 542 over the previous year's figures. The chief increases were breaches of Motor-vehicles Act, theft, housebreaking, and mischief. Substantial decrease was shown in the case of false pretences, drunkenness, and maintenance cases. Only one case of serious crime occurred during the year, this being a charge of murder, the facts of which are as follows : Following a domestic quarrel, a man was admitted to the Wellington Public Hospital on the 2nd November, 1940, suffering from serious knife wounds, from which he died an hour later. Inquiries showed that he and his wife returned from Trentham Races at about 7.15 p.m. that day, both being undet the influence of liquor. A few minutes later they were heard quarrelling, and shortly afterwards the wife informed a neighbour that she had stabbed her husband. She appeared at Wellington Supreme Court on 6th February, 1941, charged with murder, but was acquitted. The conduct of members of the Force in the district has been good, A satisfactory standard of efficiency has been maintained by both branches of the Service.

H.—l6.

Splendid co-operation throughout the district enabled us to cope with many additional and arduous tasks that fell to our lot as a result of the war. The patience and tact exercised by members of all ranks in the performance of duty merit the high est commendati on. Complaints have been received from members of the public and the military authorities of excessive drinking among members of the Military Forces when off duty and while travelling on troop trains. In my opinion some of these complaints are justified, and the only effective means of checking such conduct is an absolute prohibition by law of the sale of liquor on licensed premises after hours. Inspector Carroll, Nelson District. The strength of the Force in this district on the 31st March, was thirty-eight, which is the authorized strength. Owing to extra duties arising out of the war and control of aliens, every man is kept fully employed. There has not been any alteration in the number or location of the stations during the year, but this report would not be complete if I did not again recommend that a new station be opened at Renwicktown, about eight miles on the Nelson side of Blenheim on the main Blenheim-Nelson highway. Apart altogether from the civilian population in the locality, there are now in the vicinity of one thousand men at the nearby Woodbourne Aerodrome. Renwicktown. is at present worked from Blenheim, the nearest station in the opposite direction being Havelock, which is twenty miles farther on. For the year ended 31st December, 1940, the total number of offences reported was 841, which is 124 fewer than the number reported in .1939. There were arrests or summonses in 822 cases, leaving 19 offences undetected. The principal decreases were in respect of assaults, carnally knowing girls, selling or exposing liquor after hours, and being found on licensed premises after hours. There were increases in the number of thefts from dwellings, housebreaking, burglary, and unlawfully using motor-cars and bicycles. In connection with offences under these headings a very large proportion were committed by juvenile offenders, and it is perhaps worthy of note that no fewer than 54 out of a total of 229 were committed by young persons who either were or had been under the care or supervision of the Child Welfare Department owing to offences previously committed by them. Of the 68 unlawful conversions of motor-vehicles, &c., 44 were traced to these boys, as were also 24 out of the total of 113 thefts committed in the district during the year. The annual offences return also shows a substantial increase in the number of prosecutions for drinking or being in possession, of liquor in or in the vicinity of dance-halls, but this increase can be accounted for by the fact that the law prohibiting liquor from dance-halls operated only during the last three months of the year 1939. The conduct of members of the Force in the district has on the whole been good, but two constables were dealt with for breaches of the regulations. Inspector Packer, Greymouth District. On the 31st March, 1941, the strength of the Force in this district was forty-eight, being the authorized strength. In June, 1940, due to the entry of Italy into the war, eight constables were temporarily transferred to this district, and were engaged guarding the coalfields and Dobson Electric-power Station for three months as a precautionary measure. Six have since been returned to their station, and two have been absorbed in replacing constables transferred. A new police-station was completed at Runanga during the early part of March. The offences return for the year ended 31st December, 1940, shows a total of 1,136, as against 1,067 for the previous year, an increase of 69 offences. Of all the offences reported 1,082 were dealt with by arrest or summons, leaving 54 undetected. The principal increases were thefts, attempted house or shop breaking, failing to maintain wife and children, selling or supplying liquor after hours, intoxicated while in charge of motor-vehicles, keeping or managing a common gaming-house. The most noticeable increase is that of 68 per cent, for thefts by young persons, and I attribute this to a lack of parental control. The principal decreases were Arms Act breaches, found unlawfully on licensed premises, drunkenness, and drunk and disorderly, unlawfully using motor-cars, &c., common assaults. There were two crimes worthy of note during the year. The decomposed dead body of a child was found in the Buller River in April, 1940, and although every inquiry was made the identity of the child could not be established ; no trace has been found of the offender, and no child has been reported missing. The other crime was the theft of a mail-bag from the Midland Railway-train, and the co-operation of the Greymouth and Christchurch police was responsible for the speedy arrest of the offender. During the year one constable was dealt with for a breach of Police Regulations, but with that> exception the conduct of the police throughout the district has been, excellent and their work and general efficiency up to the required standard. Superintendent Rawle, Christchurch District. On the 31st March, 1941, the authorized strength of the Force in this district was 180, an increase of 11 since the previous year, made up of one senior sergeant at Christchurch Station, and one sergeant and nine constables at Lyttelton Station.. The total number of offences reported during the year was 5,537, compared with 5,133 for the previous year, being an increase of 404. Of all offenders reported 4,722 were prosecuted. The principal increases appear under the following headings : Indecent assault on male, indecent assault, assault, theft, house or shop breaking, arson, unlawfully using motor-cars, liquor in vicinity of dance-hall, illegally on licensed premises. The principal decreases appear under the following headings : False pretences, breach of peace, &c., common gaming-house, default of maintenance, breaches of Motor-vehicles Act. The conduct of the members of the Force on the whole has been very good. Three constables wore dismissed for breaches of the Police Regulations, and two were dealt with for minor breaches. The ad vent of the war has caused an appreciable increase in the work performed, so much so that a special staff of six were detailed under the Detective Sub-Inspector to carry out the work arising therefroni. Long hours have been worked by them cheerfully in order to cope with it.

H.—l6.

On the uniform side, covering the whole district, awkward hours between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. have had to be worked, and this has been done without complaint, all recognizing the necessity for such duties during the war period. As the war extends it will be necessary to strengthen the Force from time to time, and an increase of ten men can readily be absorbed at the Central Station at the present. In the districts of Fendalton, Papanui, and St. Albans, there are six shopping areas which have no protection from 2 a.m. I recommend that a. senior sergeant be placed in charge of St. Albans, with an addition of one man to the strength, and that he controls Fendalton, Papanui, and St. Albans. The extra man would enable him to carry out three shifts, thus covering the shopping areas from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. I have no legal recommendation to make. The various suburban and district stations have been visited by me throughout the year. Inspector Flanagan, Timaru District. The strength of the Force in the district on the 31st March, 1941, was 52, this being the authorized strength. The new station and offices at Waimate were completed at the end of April, 1940. The following buildings are under construction in this district: New constable's residence at Waimate ; new police office and residence at Glenavy; new police offices, lock-up, and constable's residence at Temuka. The total number of offences reported for the year ended 31st December, 1940, was 790, as compared with 965 for the previous year, a decrease of 175. Arrests or summonses resulted in 742 cases. The principal increases were in respect of offences relating to false pretences, mischief, in possession of liquor in vicinity of dance-hall, failing to maintain wife or children, and breaches of the Motor-vehicles Act. The most notable decreases were false statements and declarations, assault, theft, theft from dwellings, house or shop breaking, breaches of the peace, unlawfully using horses and motor-cars, &c., found on licensed premises after hours, being intoxicated in charge of motor-vehicles, and reckless or negligent driving. The only crime of a serious nature to report is that on the 13th October, 1940, a meeting of Jehovah's Witnesses was being held in the Oddfellows Hall, Oamaru. A resident of Oamaru attempted to enter the hall to stop this meeting. He had in his possession a loaded -303 calibre service rifle with bayonet attached. He was prevented by doorkeepers, and during the struggle that eventuated the rifle was accidentally discharged and a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses was shot in the right thigh, and owing to the severe injury suffered, his leg was amputated. The accused was committed for trial on the charge of attempted murder. At the Supreme Court, Dunedin, the jury returned a verdict of " not guilty " on the charge of attempted murder, but " guilty " of assault, a minor count of the indictment. The general conduct of the police in this district during the year has been very satisfactory, and their duties have been performed in an efficient and satisfactory manner. Superintendent O'Hara, Dunedin District. On the 31st March, 1941, the actual strength for the district was 126, being an increase of seven over the total strength compared with 1940, this increase being necessary owing to extra duty being performed on wharves at Dunedin and Port Chalmers. New buildings (residence and offices) have been erected at Port Chalmers, while the building of new offices has been commenced at South Dunedin. The annual offences return for the year 1940 disclosed that 2,663 offences were reported, as against 3,289 for the previous year, being a decrease of 626 offences. Of the number reported, 2,589 persons were arrested or summoned, leaving 74 undetected offences. Of the persons charged, 63 were committed for trial or sentence, and of these, 59 persons were convicted. The principal increases include the following : Theft from dwellings, inciting violence, disorder, &c., unlawfully using motor-cars, &c., in possession of liquor in vicinity of dance-halls, and breaches of Arms Act. The principal decreases included the following : Assault, theft, house or shop breaking, receiving property dishonestly, mischief, breach of the peace, drunkenness, vagrancy, failing to maintain wives, &c., breaches of prohibition orders, intoxicated while in charge of motor-vehicles, negligent or reckless driving, other breaches of Motor-vehicles Act. The increases and decreases are probably just ordinary fluctuations which occur from year to year. There were no serious crimes reported during the year. The general conduct of the police has been good during the year. All members of the Force have taken a keen interest in their work, which has been well performed. Three constables were dealt with for breaches of the regulations —one constable was dismissed, while fines were inflicted against the others. Inspector Gibson, Invercargill District. The actual strength of the Force in this district on the 31st March, 1941, totalled fifty-five, which represents an increase of three on the previous year caused by the replacement of one constable and two extra constables transferred to Bluff for the protection of overseas vessels, &c. I again recommend an increase of an additional constable at Gore, as this increase is urgently required for relieving duties and when sickness occurs. The offences return for the year ended 31st December, 1940, disclosed a total of 1,144, this being an increase of 37 on the previous year. Of the total offences, prosecutions were taken in 1,107 oases. The principal increases were breaches of the Motor-vehicles Act, breaches of the Bankruptcy Act, mischief, and house and shop breaking and entering. The chief decreases were false pretences, carnally knowing girls under sixteen years, and indecent acts. There were 86 convictions for breaches of the Statutes Amendment Act (drinking liquor in the vicinity of dance-halls). These prosecutions have been the means of a great improvement in the conduct of young persons frequenting functions of this nature. There were decreases in drunkenness. There has been no serious crime of a particular nature during the year. The conduct of the members of the Force during the year has been good. Two members were dealt with and fined for breaches of the Police Regulations.

3—II, 16.

H.—l6.

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 ended 31st December, 1939, and Year ended 31st December, 1940.

1939. mm. Increase or w m q • Decrease in I! o 0 Results of Cases ill Which Persona were Number of § S $ apprehended or summoned. 7 , J „ mKQn nF Offences O O nStj (Charges against Males and Females Convictions reported. Offences. 5" S ' separately.) amongst those <3 <S m " committed "S'S 'S'i Committed Summarily T>| smi , se( i te Trial. S31 is! ssif forTrlal - convicted. Dismissed. ll a I lis 8 g fl £ H » H s? a »H il | R | * H M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. g » Crimes and Justices of the Peace Acts, etc. Subversive statements, making, pub- . . 60 59 9 36 1 13 8 60 lishing, &e. Misleading Justice. Perjury and false oaths .. .. 2 2 2 2.. .. 2 False statements and declarations .. 123 71 69 4 3 57 2 3 4 2 . . 52 Escapes and Rescues. Breaking prison .. .. .. 2 .. . . .... .. . . .. 2 Escaping from prison or lawful custody 37 33 33 7 26 7 .. 4 Offences against lteligion. Disturbing public worship .. . . .. 1 I .... I .. 1 Offences against Morality. Unnatural offence .. .. .. 26 10 9 8 1 8 .. 16 "Unnatural offence, attempted .. 6 3 3 2 . . .. 1 2 .. 3 Indecently assaulting a male .. 68 105 103 97 3 .. 3 83 .. 37 Incest .. .. .. .. 8 13 11 11.. .. 11 . . 5 Indecent acts .. .. .. 38 37 37 3 29 5 1 .. 1 Publishing obscene matter .. .. 2 .. .. .... . . .. .. 2 Offences against the Person, <bc. Murder .. .. .. .. 4 4 4 1 1 .. .. .... 1 Murder, attempted .. . . 4 1 1 I . . . . .. 3 Manslaughter .. .. .. 5 6 6 5 .. .. 1 1 I Suicide, attempted .. .. 77 74 73 I 37 27 1 7 1 .. 3 Suicide, aiding and abetting .. 2 .. .. .... . . 2 Concealment of birth .. 7 4 2 II .. 1 1.. 3 Disabling or stupefying with intent to 1 . . .. .... .. ! 1 commit a crime Wounding with intent to do grievous 2 3 3 3 .. 1 .. 1 bodily harm Endangering safety of persons on rail- .. 2 2 .... 2 .. 2.. ways or tramways Administering poison or other noxious . . 2 I .... 1 .. .. 2 things with intent to injure or annoy Assault causing actual bodily harm .. 32 20 17 13 I .. 3 11 . . .. 12 Causing actual bodily harm under cir- 3 2 2 2.. .. .. .... .. .. .. 1 cumstances that, if death had been caused, would be manslaughter Assault, indecent .. . . .. 149 175 153 102 .. 41 .. 10 94 .. 26 Assault with intent to commit a crime 12 3 3 1 1 1 1 .. 9 Assault .. .. .. . . 796 781 757 6 .. 671 16 57 7 7 .. 15 Rape .. .. .. .. 11 7 7 6 1 4 Rape, attempted .. .. .. 4 6 5 4.. 1 4.. 2.. Carnally knowing girls under sixteen 119 105 99 68 17 .. 14 60 .. .. 14 years Carnally know girls under sixteen years, 21 15 15 12 1 .. 2 9 .. .. 0 attempts to Carnally knowing idiots or imbecile .. 1 1 .... .. . . 1 .. . . 1 women Abortion, procuring .. .. 4 15 14 8 6 .. 3 3 11 Abortion, supplying means of procuring 6 1 1 1 .. 1 .. .. 5 Bigamy .. .. 7 4 1 1 1 .. 3 Abduction .. .. .. .. 1 1 .... 1 .. 1.. Stealing children under fourteen years .. 4 4 .... 2 .. 2.. .. .. 4 Offences against Rights of Property. Theft (undescribed) .. .. 6,779 7,560 5,755 134 3 5,075 320 209 14 111 1 781 .. Theft, attempted .. .. .. 54 57 48 3 41 1 3 3 3 Theft from the person .. .. 23 16 10 6 3 1 5 .. 7 Theft from the person, attempted .. .. 2 1 .... 1 .. 2.. Theft from dwellings .. .. 276 292 184 31 .. 152 .. 1 .. 31 .. 16 .. Theft from dwellings, attempted .. 12 7 2 I 1 I .. 5 Theft by clerks or servants .. .. 18 30 30 13 2 7 6 2 12 12 Theft of animals (specified) .. 33 24 24 5 18 I 3 . . 9 Theft of animals, attempted . . 2 .. .. .... .. .. .... .. . . . . 2 False pretences .. .. . . 802 714 685 45 11 596 23 10 .. 45 10 . . 88 False pretences, attempted .. .. 19 17 17 3 13 1 3 .. 2 Obtaining credit by fraud .. .. 188 150 132 2 .. 122 2 6 .. 2 ,. 38

H.—l6.

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 ended 31st December, 1939, and Year ended 31st December, 1940—continued.

1939. 1940. Increase or f Decrease in § § - a Results ol' Cases in which Persons were Number of a g <g== apprehended or summoned. Nriimbprnf Offences {« S3 • (Charges against Males and Females Convictions reported. Oflences. ° ° e»! separately.) amongst those 5=3 =3 O w pj committed 03 t rp 5 1 "Sts o-d Committed Summarily niimilwfld ° F u? hI <-<«£ for Trial. convicted. Dismissed. . - || |I ||§ I I d ® 9 a) 9-C 2 tls? 1 M 3 * 3 * 3 M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. g ® 65 fc fc Crimes and Justices of the Peace Acts, etc. —continued. Offences against Rights of Property—ctd. False accounting by officials or clerks 12 8 8 .... 7 .. 1 .. . • • • 4 Conspiracy to defraud .. .. 2 3 3 3.. .. 2.. 1 Fortune-telling or practising witchcraft 5 2 2 1 ■ . 1 ■ • ■ ■ • • 3 Robbery and aggravated robbery .. 17 28 13 11 .. 2 11 .. 11 Assault with intent to rob .. .. .. 2 1 1 .. 1 •• ' o Demanding with intent to steal .. 4 1 1 1.. .. 1 •• •• •> Extortion by threats .. .. ■■ 1 1 1.. .. J- •• 1.. Burglary .. .. .. 107 91 76 69 . . 4 . . 3 . . 65 .. .. 16 Burglary, attempted .. .. 13 9 2 1 1 • • ■ • 4 House or shop breaking, &c. .. 1,394 1,546 1,154 480 .. 635 7 32 464 .. lo2 House or shop breaking, &c., attempted 89 87 53 24 28 .. 1 23 .. .. -< Being found in dwellinghouse by night 6 5 5 .... 5 .. .... Being armed with intent to break or 1 1 1 1.. .. .... 1 enter Being disguised or in possession of 2 10 10 6 .. .. 4 7 .. 8 housebreaking implements Receivingpropertydishonestlyobtained 176 139 139 8 98 18 14 I 7 .. 37 Forgery .. .. .. 95 61 59 38 3 16 2 .. .. 37 2 .. 34 Uttering forged documents or false 35 22 22 14 1 5 2 13 1 .. 13 certificates Sending false telegram .. .. 4 1 1 1 • • Procuring execution of document by 1 .. .. .... .. false pretences Personation .. ■■ 3 2 2 .... - ■■ Arson 15 56 55 35 12 4 1 3 .. 33 7 41 .. Arson, attempted .. .. .. 8 10 6 .. 6 .. .... .. 6 - .. Setting fire to crops, attempted .. I • ■ • ■ .... . . ■ ■ Wilfully placing obstruction on railways 10 12 8 .... 6 .. 1 Mischief.. 895 1,082 1,035 .. .. 957 17 53 8 .. .. 187 .. Mischief on railways and tramways .. 10 17 15 .... 15 .. .... .. .. 7 .. Possessing or making explosive sub- 1 . . .. .... . . 1 stance, &c., with intent thereby to commit a crime Sending threatening letters .. .. • . 1 1 1 . . . • 1 Threatening acts with intent to intimi- .. 4 4 2.. - .. .... 1 .. 4 .. date Police Offences Act. Breach of the peace or behaviour with 738 698 694 .... 651 7 35 1 .. . . •. 40 intent Cruelty to animals .. .. 64 47 47 .... 37 1 9 .. 17 Drunkenness .. •• •• 5,683 5,243 5,243 .. .. 5,08- 146 13 2 .. .. .. 440 Drunk while in charge of horses, &c., 20 27 27 .... 25 .. 2 .. .. 7 or loaded firearms , Drunk and disorderly .. • • 232 200 200 .. . . 194 5 1 . . . . .. 3^ Soliciting prostitution .. •• 2 .. .. .... .. .. .. .. .. .. •• - Exposure ofperson and grossly indecent 242 193 153 7 .. 135 1 10 I acts Using profane, indecent, or obscene 520 554 553 2 .. 514 22 13 2 2 .. 34 Vagrancy (idle and disorderly persons, 377 302 301 1 .. 244 28 24 4 1 .. 75 rogues and vagabonds, and incorrigible rogues) Assaulting, obstructing, or resisting 180 160 160 . . . . l.)b 1 l 1 constables, &c. Intimidation to restrict lawful acts .. 1 ■ • • • ■ • • • • • • • • • ■ • • • Inciting violence, disorder, or lawless- 5 9 9 .... 9 .. .... .. .. 4 Unlawfully using horses, motor-cars, &c. 1,087 1,287 849 22 .. 791 6 30 .. 14 .. 200 Unlawfully on premises at night with- 221 245 244 .. .. 229 8 7 .. .. 24 out criminal intent Sunday trading .. ■ ■ • • 85 81 81 .... 61 16 4 .. . . .. 4 False allegation re commission of offences 8 7 7 .... 7 .. .. 1 Gaming Act. Common gaming-house, keeping or 149 115 115 .. .. 106 6 2 1 .. .. .. 34 managing, &c. Found in a common gaming-house .. 88 109 109 .... J6 3 10 .. 21 .. Gaming with instruments .. .. 61 15 15 .... 14 .. 1 .. .. .. 46 Publishing advertisements relating to 1 7 7 .... i • • 0 .. betting on horse-races Lotteries, unlawfully establishing or 9 9 9 .... 3 ■> .. 1 conducting, &c. Betting, unlawful .. .. •• 12 4 4 ■ • 3 .. 1 .. •• 8 Following the occupation of bookmaker 118 87 87 2 1 1/ - .. .. 31 Publishing betting charts .. .. 1 4 4 .... 4 .. a Trespass on racecourse .. • • 52 44 44 .... 44 .. .. 8

H.—l6.

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 ended 31st December, 1939, and Year ended 31st December, 1940 —continued.

1039. 1940. Increase or m oa a . Decrease in 8 o '"9 Results of Cases in which Persons were Number of S S $02 apprehended or summoned. Offences S 5 I (Charges against Males and Females r nn 3nri B reported. O O qfvna rat,*»Iv Offences. ta jg g sepa aTei "-> amongst those * <& ° S £ committed "6 V o-£ Committed Summarily r) lamigsed for Trial. M-e for Trial. convicted. dismissed. . || || ||| . | 1 | a P S J * 9 M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. if !a & . a a Post and Telegraph Act. Illegally opening or delaying postal ] 7 7 .... 6 1 .. 6 packets Stealing postal packets, mail-bags, &c. 81 34 32 .... 28 .. 4 . . . . .. 47 Stealingmoney,&c.,frompostalpackets 7 35 34 1 31 .. 2 1 .. 28 Unlawfully opening mail-bags .. .. 2 1 .... .. .. 1 .. .. 2 Injuring post-office pillars or boxes .. 45 20 8 .... 8 . . .... .. .. . . 19 Damaging telegraph equipment .. 49 17 16 .... 15 1 .. . . 32 Posting indecent post-cards or letters 13 4 3 .... 2 1 .. . . . . 9 Destitute Pebsons Act. Failing to maintain wife or children .. 1,570 1,280 1,217 .. .. 999 1 217 .. .. .. .. 290 Failing for fourteen days to pay main- 2,595 2,210 2,108 .. .. 2 428 1 .. .. .. 385 tenance moneys Offences by husbands while separation 35 13 13 .... 13 . . .. 22 orders are in force Offences prescribed in sections 52 to 58 2 .. .. .. .. . . . . .. .. .. .. .. 2 of Destitute Persons Act Shipping and Seamen Act. Misconduct endangering his ship or lives .. 3 3 .... 3 .. .... .. .. 3.. of persons thereon Ship-desertion .. .. .. 219 117 73 .... 00 .. 13 .. .. .. 102 Absent without leave .. .. 10 17 17 .... 17 .. 7 Offences against discipline .. .. 1 5 5 .... 5 .. 4.. Harbouring deserters . . .. 1 .. .. .... .. . . . . ] Stowing away .. .. .. 51 4 4 .... 4 .. .. 47 Licensing Act. Permitting drunkenness or violent con- 8 4 4 .... 2 .. 2.. .. .. .. 4 duct Selling or supplying liquor to intoxi- 12 4 4 .... 4 .. .. 8 cated persons Keeping disorderly houses .. .. 1 .. .. .... . . .. .. 1 Permitting gaming, gambling, &c. .. 2 2 2 .... 2 Selling or supplying liquor, or exposing 767 736 736 .. .. 544 35 150 7 .. .. .. 31 for sale, or opening or keeping open premises at unauthorized times Supplying liquor to persons under 73 32 32 .... 23 2 7 .. .. . . 41 twenty-one years Selling or supplying liquor to prohibited 12 9 9 .... 8 1 .. .. 3 persons Permitting prohibited persons to be on 2 2 2 .... 2 premises Employing minors in bars .. .. 2 3 3 .... 2 .. 1 .. .. 1 Illegally supplying liquor to Natives .. 183 105 104 .... 98 3 3 .. .. . . 78 Obstructing Inspectors or refusing 5 1 1 .... .. .. 1.. .. .. .. 4 entrance to Inspectors or constables Having or purchasing labels for bottling 1 2 2 .... 1 .. 1 .. .. 1 contrary to Act Breaches of prohibition orders .. 603 440 439 .. .. 414 20 5 .. .. .. 163 Found on licensed premises after 2,268 2,165 2,164 .. .. 2,005 50 100 9 .. .. .. 103 -closing-hours Refusing to quit licensed premises .. 13 12 12 .... 10 1 1 .. .. .. 1 Selling or exposing liquor for sale 158 175 171 4 .. 136 16 12 3 4 17 without a license Found on premises where liquor was 118 185 183 . . . . 137 23 15 8 .. .. 67 seized under a warrant Offences against provisions in force in 70 43 43 .... 42 .. 1 .. .. .. 27 no-license districts Selling, supplying, or giving liquor to 25 27 27 .... 27 .. 2 Maoris in Native licensing districts Offences against provisions of no-license 90 51 51 .... 49 .. 2 .. .. .. 39 in Native proclaimed areas Supplying liquor to Natives in pro- 138 176 176 .. .. 172 .. 4 .. .. 38 claimed districts Permitting consumption of liquor in 21 1 1 .... 1 .. .. 20 restaurants after hours In possession of liquor in vicinity of 70 1,110 1,109 .. .. 1,051 7 47 4 .. .. 1,040 dance-halls, &c.

H.—l6.

1930. 1940. . Increase or ~ ~ Decrease in 8 g — 0 Results of Cases in which Persons were Number of g g J® apprehended or summoned. Number of Offences tta ia g U „• (Charges against Males and Females Convictions reported. Offences. ° 2 separately.) amongst those a « ® $ 1 committed "SjU c _ om S?itted Summarily Dl9misBed . for TriaI - _ +5 u -p m - o for Trial. convicted. a> & || || ||| 1 1 0 ® £3 4> S ■§ ca fee? 3 M 3 M B F. M. F. M. F. M. F. § ® to to to « w Miscellaneous. Absconding from industrial schools .. 31 4 2 .... 2 .. .. 27 Bankruptcy offences .. . . 11 22 22 20 2 .. .... 20 .. 11.. Brothels or houses of ill fame, keeping, 6 .. .. .... .. • ■ • ■ 6 &c. Children, wilfully ill-treating, neglect- 11 11 10 .. 2 3 4 .. 1 ing, abandoning, or exposing Deserting or absenting from His 36 27 20 .... 20 . . .. 9 Majesty's ships Drunk or behaving in a violent or 20 27 27 .... 27 .. 7 .. offensive, manner, &c., on a railway, &c. Failing to comply with conditions of 165 175 146 . . . . 132 7 6 1 .. .. 10 release under First Offenders Probation Act. Habitual criminals or offenders, breach 12 6 4 .... 4 .. .. 6 of conditions of probationary license Indecent Publications Act, offences 9 3 3 .... 3 • • • • 6 under Opium-smoking, &c. .. .. 26 47 47 .... 45 .. 2 .. .. 21 Smuggling .. .. •• 1 1 .... 1 1.. Trespassing on railway and refusing to 46 26 26 .... 24 .. 2 .. .. .. 20 leave, &c. Arms Act, broaches of .. .. 308 368 368 .. .. 356 2 9 1 .. .. 60 Second-hand Dealers Act, breaches of 5 9 9 8 1 .. 4 Motor-vehicles Act. Causing death or bodily injury through 49 53 50 43 1 .. .. 5 1 28 1 4 reckless driving Being intoxicated in charge of a motor- 756 634 633 I .. 561 5 66 1 .. .. 122 vehicle Reckless or negligent driving .. 1,734 926 918 4 .. 841 17 55 1 4 .. 808 Other breaches of Act .. .. 11,185 10,523 10,493 23 1 9,897 304 255 13 19 .. .. 662 Totals .. .. •• 46,378 45,009 41,621 1,449 53 36,762 1,199 2,055 101 1,304 34 3,020 4389 y Decrease .. .. .. .. • • • • .... .. • • 1,369

H.—l6.

APPENDIX B. Return showing the Strength and Distribution of the New Zealand Police Force on the 31st March, 1941.

.gf i,i'. g i| l Us!|i.i ,• |igi Stations. £■§ Hl'll & | g fill r/)j5 3 a <D <L> o <DO if 2? 0 0 3 mmS h S HB« q o o Whangarei District — Whangarei .. .. 1 .. 1 1 14 2 19 .... Dargaville 1 3 4 .. .. Hikurangi 1 1 • • Houhora .. 1 • 1 .... Kaeo .. 1 1 ... Kaikohe 2 2 .. Kaitaia 1 2 3 .. .. Kawakawa 1 1 • • Kohukohu 1 1 • ■ Mangonui 1 1 • • Maungaturoto ' 1 • • Ohaeawai 1 1 • • Rawene 1 * • • Ruawai 1 1 • • Russell .. 1 1 • • Waipu 1 1 • • Totals .. ■. 1 • • 1 3 32 1 .. .. 2 40 .. Auckland District — Auckland .. 1 2 3 3 18 113 40 .. 915 204 .. .. Avondale 1 1 ■ ■ Balmoral 2 2 .. Birkenhead 1 1 •• Coromandel 1 1 • • • • Devonport ' ■ • 4 • • Ellerslie 1 2 3 .. .. Epsom 1 1 • • Freeman's Bay 1 2 3 .. .. Groy Lynn J j ■ ■ Helensville 1 1 ■ Henderson 2 2 .. Howiok 1 1 ■ Huntly 1 2 3 .. Kingsland 1 1 • • Kohimarama 1 1 • • Manurewa 1 j • • Meroer 1 Mount Albert 1 1 2 .. .. Mount Eden 1 • ■ 8 9 .. Mt. Eden (South) 1 1 ■ • Mount Roskill 1 1 • • New Lynn 1 1 ■ ■ Newmarket 1 1 10 12 .... Newton 1 ■ • 12 13 .. Northcote 1 1 • • Onehunga 1 • • 6 7 . . Otahuhu I • • 5 6 .. Papakura 1 2 3 .. Pap'atoetoe 1 1 • • Parnell 1 3 4 .. .. Point Chevalier 1 1 • • Ponsonby 1 4 5 .. .. Port Fitizroy (Great 2 .. Barrier) Pukekohe 1 3 4 .. .. Queen St. Wharf 11 6 8.. .. (A) Remuera 2 2 .. Surfdale 1 1 • • Takaipuna 1 2 3 .. .. Thames 1 5 6 . . Tuakau 1 1 • • Waiuku 1 1 • • Warkworth 1 1 • • Wellsford 1 1 • • Whitianga Totals .. 1 2 3 10 30 218 40 .. 9 15 328 2 .. Hamilton DistrictHamilton .. .. 2 .. 1 1 24 .... 1 2 30 ... . Cambridge 2 2 .. Frankton Junction 1 3 4 .. Hamilton East 1 1 • • Katikati 1 1 • • Kawhia 1 ' • ■ Kerepehi 1 1 • • Kihikihi ' 1 • • Matamata 1 1 • • Morrinsville 2 2 .. ..

i is S2 & i a 8 b$" 8 gi 8 «8 $ £ 2 o -fe •£ a £ 3 > 2 Stations. «a S5SlS 8 J SScSjSS | sS Sj Jo B,®p, «UI » « SK a, ® «> en « S .55 to =s »> ; g 3 K s s g !rs»s s H n§^§ Hamilton District — continued. Ngaruawahia 2 2 .. Otorohanga I 1 .. .. I 'aeroa 2 2 .. Putaruru 2 2 .. Kaglan 1 1 Rotorua .. .. 1.. .. 1 8.. .. 1.. 11 .. .. Taupo 1 1 .. • • Tauranga 1 3 4.. .. Te Aroha 2 2 .. Te Awamutu 1 2 3 .. .. Te Kuiti 1 5 6.. .. TePuke 1 1 .. Te Whaiti 1 Tokaanu 1 1 .. Waihi 1 4 5 .. .. Totals .. .. 2 .. 1 7 72 .... 2 2 86 1 . . Gisborne District — Gisborne .. .. 1 .. 1 1 J 6 .. .. 1 1 21 .. .. Bartletts 1 1 . . Kaiti .. 1 I .... Makaraka 1 1 .. Matawai I 1 .. Opotiki 1 2 3 .. I Patutahi 1 1 .. Ruatoria 2 2 .. Taneatua 1 I . . Te Araroa 1 1 . . Te Karaka 1 1 .. Tikitiki I 1 .. Tokomani Bay 1 1 .. Tolaga Bay 1 1 .. Waipiro Bay 1 1 .. Whakatane I 2 3 .. Totals .. .. 1 .. I 3 34 .. .. 1 1 41 .. 1 Napier District — Napier . . . . I .. I I 16 .. 1 .. 2 22 .. . . Bay View 1 1 .. Carlyle Street 1 1 .. Glive .. J 1 .. .. Dannevirke 1 4 5 .... Hastings 1 1 12 .. .. 1 1 16 . . . . Havelock North 1 1 . . Kopuawhara 1 1 . . Mohaka 1 1 . . Nuhaka 1 1 Ongaonga 1 1 .. Ormondville 1 . . .. .... 1 .. Porangahau 1 1 .. Port Ahuriri 1 3 4 .. Takapau I 1 . . Taradale 1 1 . . Tuai 1 1 Warpawa 1 1 .. Waipukurau 2 2 . . Wairoa 1 3 4 . .. Totals . . .. 1 . . 2 5 54 .. 1 1 3 67 .... New Plymouth District — New Plymouth .. 1 . . 1 2 14 1 1 .. 1 21 .. .. Eltham 2 2 .. Fiteroy 1 1 .. Hawera 1 .. 6 1 8.. .. Inglewood 1 1 .. Kaponga 1 1 .. Manaia 1 1 .. Mokau 1 ] . . Moturoa 2 2 .. Normanby 1 1 .. Opunake 1 I .. Rahotu 1 I . . Stratford 1 5 6 .. Waitara 2 2 .. Whangarnomona I 1 .. Totals . . .. J .. 2 3 40 1 I .. 2 50 .. ..

H.—l6.

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

. 03 2 2 3 i2 <B $ © »o! » p® S Stations. ft| ffiHl I 3 g| S| 11 | | if If || | » M S 8 g §g®S»S« H Bg*g S 5 ® ® 8 HS B O O Wanganui District — Wanganui .. .. 1 .. 1 1 20 .... I 2 26 .... Aramoho I ' • • Castleoliff I 1 ■ • Gonville Hunterville 1 1 • • Mangaweka 1 1 • • Manunui 1 I • • National Park 1 1 • • Ohakune 2 2 .. Ohura I 1 • ■ Ongaruo 1 ' • • Patea 2 2 .. Raetihi 1 1 • ■ Raurimu 1 1 • • St. John's (Wa nganui) Taihape I 4 5 .. Taumarunui .. 1 4 5 .. .. Waiouru 1 1 • • Waitotara .. 1 I ■ • Wanganui East 1 1 • • Waverley .. I 1 ■ • Totals .. .. 1 .. 1 3 46 .. .. 1 2 54 .. .. Palmerston North District — Palmerston North . . I • • 1 1 23 .. . . 1 3 30 .. Ashhurst 1 1 ■ • Bulls .. . v I 1 .. .. Cuba Street 1 1 • • (Palmerston N.) Eketahuna 1 1 • • • ■ Feilding 1 4 5 .. .. Foxton 2 2 .. Kimbolton I 1 ■ • Levin 2 2 .. Marton 1 3 4 .. Otaki .. 2 2 .... Pahiatua 1 2 3 .. Pongaroa .. 1 1 ■ • Rongotea 1 1 . • Shannon 1 I • • Terrace End 1 1 •• •• (Palmerston N.) Woodville 1 1 .. Total* .. .. 1 .. 1 4 48 .. .. 1 3 58 .. .. Wellington District — Wellington . . II 2 2 7 50 16 2 4 10 95 .. Brooklyn 1 1 .. Carterton 2 2 .. Eastbourne .. ..! 1 1 .. . • Featherston .. ..L.I 2 2 .. .. Greytown I 1 .. Island Bay 1 1 . • Johnsonville 1 1 .. Karori 1 1 .. Kelburn I I • • Khandallah 1 1 .. Kilbirnie 1 4 5 .. .. Lower Hutt 1 8 .. . • I • . 10 .. Lyall Bay 1 1 .. Martinborough I 1 .. Masterton 1 .. 1 .... I .. 0 .. .. Miramar 2 2 .. Mount Cook 4 8 18 30 .. Moera I 1 .. Northland 1 1 .. Paekakariki 1 1 . . Petone 1 .. 8 .. .. 1 .. 10 .. .. Seatoun 1 1 . . Taranaki Street 1 3 17 13 34 . . Thorndon Quay 1 1 • • Tinui .. 1 1 . . Tinakori Road I 1 .. Trentham 1 1 . . Upper Hutt 1 1 .. ...... 2 .. Wadestown I 1 .. Wellington South .. 1.. 7 8 .. .. Wharf(Wellington) I 23 7 31 .. .. Totals .. 112 6jl8 158 54 2 7 10 259 .. ..

Lrf 8 8 3 ! NJls 8 . „3 Stations. |I PHI | 1 §,! i| 11 | 1 || || 0<c3 cL CO ci ® &£> 2 5 1 «2 «u a> ?S be £ cZ, .S rt <£ La S | sj g « H «g «§ fl 5 ® ® S ho q ft <» n o o Nelson District — Nelson .. .. 1 .. I 1 13 .... .1 1 18 .... Blenheim 1.. 7 8 .. .. Collingwoocl 1 1 • • • • Havelock 1 1 • • Motueka 2 2 .. Murchison 1 1 • ■ Picton 2 2 .. Port Nelson I 1 • • Richmond 1 1 • • Seddon 1 I • ■ Takaka 1 1 • • Wakefield 1 1 • • Totals .. .. 1 .. 2 1 32 .. .. 1 1 38 .. .. Greymouth D i strict — Greymouth .. .. 1 .. 1 1 12 .. .. 1 1 17 .. .. Ahaura I 1 • • Blackball I 1 •• .. Bruce Bay I 1 • • Brunnerton 1 1 • • Charleston I 1 • • Cobden 1 1 . • Denniston 1 1 • • Granity 1 1 • • Hokitika 1 4 5 .. .. Kanieri 1 1 . • Karamea 1 1 .. Kumara 1 1 • • Millerton 1 1 .. Otira .. 1 I .. Reefton 1 2 3 .. .. Ross .. 1 1 .. Runanga I I • • Waiuta I 1 . ■ Wataroa 1 1 .. Westport 1 5 6 .. .. Totals .. .. I .. 1 4 40 .... 1 1 48 .... Christchurch District — Christchurch .. II 2 210 59 17 .. 3 8 103 .. .. Addington 1 3 4 .. Akaroa I I . . Amberley 1 1 .. Ashburton 1 .. 6 7 .. Beckenham I 1 • ■ Belfast 1 1 . • Bingsland 1 1 .. Chatham Islands 1 I • ■ Cheviot 1 1 •. Coalgate 1 1 .. .. Culverdon I 1 .. .. Darfield 1 I .. Fendalton 1 I . • Islington I I .. Kaiapoi 2 2 .. Kaikoura 2 2 .. Leeston 1 1 .. Lincoln 1 1 .. Linwood 1 I .. Little River I 1 .. Lower Riccarton 1 1 . • Lyttclton 1 1 11 6 19 .. Methven I 1 .. New Brighton 1 2 3 .. North New Brigh- 1 1 .. ton Oxford 1 1 . ■ Papanui 1 1 .. Phillipstown 1 1 . • Rakaia 1 1 ■ ■ Rangiora 1 2 3 Riccarton (Upper) 1 1 • ■ Rolleston 1 1 .. St. Albans 1 3 4 .. .. Southbridge 1 1 • • Sumner ..... 1 1 .. Sydenham 1 5 6 . . .. Waikari 1 1 • ■ Woolston 1 1 . • Totals .. 1 1 2 416 124 23 .. S 8 182 .. ..

H.—l6.

APPENDIX B—continued. Return showing the Strength, etc., of the New Zealand Police Force —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 (555 copies), £37 10s.

By Authority: E, V, Paul, Government Printer, Wellington. —1941.

Price 9d.]

'E§M <8 fa <8 $ gs 8 <s ■g-g 5 aS s g g 3 23 g.£ a .6 ■= .33 g3 Stations. is 8'§8 "3 8 S 3 S | B3s5 0 1 a a, 02 o. 1=1:1 52 [2 fl® 3g | |®S S g !g®s«g-§ H Rg^g a a «® 8 So n S3 Timaru District — Timaru .. .. ) .. 1 1 19 .... I 1 24 ... . Duntroon I 1 .. Fairlie 1 1 .. .. Geraldine 1 1 .. .. Glenavy 1 1 .. Hampden I I • . Rurow 1 1 • . Oamaru 1 • • 10 .. .. 1 .. .12 . . Pleasant Point I I .. St Andrew's I I . . Temuka I 2 3 . . Waimataitai 1 I • • Waimate I 3 4 .. Totals .. .. 1 .. 2 3 43 .. .. 2 1 52 .. .. Dunedin District Dunedin .. 1 1.. 2 7 34 14 1 3 4 07 ... . Alexandra 1 1 .. Anderson's Bay I 1 .. Balclutha 2 2 .. Caversham I 1 .. Clyde .. I 1 Cromwell I 1 .. Green Island I 1 .. Kaitangata 1 1 .. Lawrence 1 I .. Maori Hill I I .. Middlemarch I I .. Milton i 1 .. Mornington I 1 .. Mosgiel 2 2 .. Naseby 1 1 .. North Dunedin 1 7 8 .. .. North-east Valley 1 1 . . Ophir 1 1 .. .. Oturehua 1 1 . . Outram 1 I . . Owaka I 1 .. Palmerston South 1 1 .. Port Chalmers 1 8 9 .. .. Portobello i 1 .. Ranfurly 1 1 .. . . Ravensbourne I 1 .. . . Rosiyn I 1 .. Roxburgh 1 I .. St. Clair I I .. St. Kilda i I . . ..

I n £ gj 2 J3 <£ £ a> c3 £ °S <8 •2|j £ J Sp a S g| g.£.S| .£ -j |l £S Stations. g a £'3 S S 5 a-S'SffSS | §3 »| & a ft'»a, <u ? c 52 flS e2 ™ S3 2 || J 6 g gg ">««8 S H Ogfcg m a «> « S ho no® n o S Dunedin District— continued. South Dunedin 1 7 8 .. .. Waikouaiti 1 1 .. Waitahuna 1 1 .. Waitati 1 1 • • Woodhaugh 1 1 .. Totals . . 1 1 .. 2 10 90 14 1 3 4 126 .... Invercargill District— Invercargill .. . . I .. 1 1 19 1 .. 1 2 26 .... Arrowtown I 1 .. - Bluff .. 1 4 5 .... Clinton I I .. Gore .. 1 4 5 .... Half-moon Bay 1 I .. Lumsden 1 1 .. .. Mataura 1 1 . . Nightoaps 1 1 .. North Invercargill 1 1 .. Otaiutau I 1 .. Queenstown 1 1 .. Riverton 1 1 .. South Invercargill 1 1 .. Tapanui 1 1 .. Tokanui 1 1 .. Tuatapere 1 1 Waikaia 1 1 .. Waikiwi 1 1 .. Wanaka 1 1 .. Winton I 1 .. Wyttdham 1 1 .. Totals .. .. ] . . 1 3 46 1 .. 1 2 55 ..., Attached to head- 4.. 4.. .. 1.. 9 .. .. quarters staff .. Lent to Cooklslands 1 1 .. Administration Lent to Samoan 1 1 .. j .. Administration On leave prior to 1 .. I 2 ..! .. retirement On leave without .. ." 10 1 . . .. 1 12 .. P a y Grand totals .. 4 17 7 42113 1094135 5 36 561509 3 1

Number of I Estimated " Pr0 ?S, r iii,? 101 Cost of Police llaoe - Police. j Population. to Population. per Inhabitant. s. <1. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 1,509 1,636,230 1 to 1,084 7 11£ Victoria .. .. .. .. 2,333 1,918,774 1 to 822 8 4 New South Wales .. .. .. 3,750 2,789,123 1 to 744 10 If Queensland .. .. .. .. 1,439 1,029,613 1 to 716 11 8£ South Australia . . .. . . 936 598,091 1 to 639 10 10J Western Australia .. .. .. 592 468,311 1 to 791 11 Oi Tasmania .. .. 292 243,057 1 to 832 10 8

This report text was automatically generated and may include errors. View the full page to see report in its original form.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/AJHR1941-I.2.2.5.19

Bibliographic details

THE POLICE FORCE OF THE DOMINION. (ANNUAL REPORT ON)., Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1941 Session I, H-16

Word Count

15,495

THE POLICE FORCE OF THE DOMINION. (ANNUAL REPORT ON). Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1941 Session I, H-16

Using This Item

No known copyright (New Zealand)

To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.

You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.

For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.

THE POLICE FORCE OF THE DOMINION. (ANNUAL REPORT ON). Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1941 Session I, H-16

Using This Item

No known copyright (New Zealand)

To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.