17

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less to suppose that a person so circumstanced can become an efficient constable, or act impartially and independently in the discharge of his duty. They have been engaged solely on the score of economy, as they only receive from £20 to £50 per annum each ; but viewed from the effects, the employment of such men is likely to breed in the public mind the disregard of law and order. I cannot but think the wisest course would have been to employ ordinary constables from the beginning. From Auckland to the North Cape there is but one constable stationed, who is posted at the Bay of Islands, 150 miles away. In a few of the settlements North, there are special constables employed; but I cannot look to them for the prevention or detection of crime, and thus I may say that the entire country north of Auckland is left quite unprotected. In all districts in which special constables are stationed at present, ordinary constables should be employed, and thus would be obviated the expense and inconvenience of sending constables from the city to all parts of the country when serious cases of crime occur, owing to which the travelling expenses of constables last year exceeded the vote by £153 18s. Gd., which I have provided for in my present estimate. I have likewise provided for four additional constables for city duty, as the number at present engaged is quite inadequate. Representations are frequently being made by the City authorities of the necessity of enforcing the City By-laws more stringently. The reasonableness of their request cannot be denied, but owing to the paucity of constables, which only allows me to detail three men for night duty on the entire town, and two for day duty, lam quite unable to carry out the wishes of the Council, as I would desire. I would also have sent down four constables to replace special constables in the country, if I thought there was any likelihood of altering the present system; but as this is doubtful, I have provided for special constables as before. I have further provided for two first-class sergeants, not as an addition to the present force, but with the view of granting promotion to some of the second-class sergeants, and of thus encouraging deserving men to remain in the service. The sum of £100 has also been added to last year's estimate for contingencies, as I find that during that year such an amount was so expended, although there was no special vote for it. The items of expenditure under this heading are principally made up in the medical expenses of constables who have been injured in the discharge of their duty. On a recent occasion, a constable was disabled for a month, and had to be attended by a medical man, owing to a severe kick he received in the knee in arresting a lunatic who had escaped from the Asylum. At the same time another was unfitted for duty, and under medical treatment for a fortnight, owing to his finger having been severely bitten in arresting a prisoner; and such casualties, as in all police forces, are of frequent occurrence. The sum of £40 has also been added for the forage of a horse for the constable at Papakura. During last year, the cost in horse hire for this constable averaged from £3 10s. to £4 per month, which would more than cover the expense of keeping one, and with the disadvantage of compelling the constable to search for the horse—often getting it only as a compliment, instead of being able to turn out at once in cases of emergency. The Papakura District is large, probably 40 miles by 20; settlement is becoming extended in it; year by year the want of a horse for police purposes becomes greater, and it is much more economical and effectual that a horse should be foraged at the expense of the Department. In my estimate for last year, I set down the pay of the sergeant-major and detectives at 10s. per diem, which I regret to say was not granted. I have done so likewise in my estimate for the ensuing year, as I think the salaries only moderate, considering the present ruling of wages throughout the Colony. The men I have at present in these situations have been many years in the force, are highly efficient officers, and, as is well known, the qualities required in them are such as would advance a man in any calling in life outside of the police force, yet year after year goes by without bringing to them any increase of salary, and in the absence of a Pension Act or Superannuation Fund there are no inducements held out to them to continue in the service. The Constabulary of the district largely avail themselves of the excellent library which has been established for their use by the Department, and an increase of intelligence may be expected from the study of the valuable works supplied. During the year, Sub-Inspector Bullen, of the Thames Sub-District, has conducted the duties of hia charge in a highly satisfactory manner, all the more creditable as the strength of his force, namely, 10 constables, divided between Coromandel and the Thames, is smaller than I have ever seen on a gold field possessing such a large population. Sergeant-Major Pardy has been equally zealous in conducting the duties of the city; the detectives have been very successful in the prosecution of all serious cases of crime ; and the sergeants and constables have been attentive to their duties, and have through their sober and steady habits conduced much towards advancing the Department in the estimation of the public. I have, &c, The Commissioner, T. Beoham, Armed Constabnlary Force, Wellington. Inspector A.C. Estimate of Expendituee for the Teae 1874. £ s. d. £ a. d. 1 Inspector, at per annum ... ... ... ... 400 0 0 1 Sergeant-Major, at 10s. per diem... ... ... ... 182 10 0 1 Sergeant, Ist class, at Bs. per diem ... ... ... 146 0 0 2 Sergeants, 2nd class, at 7s. per diem ... ... ... 255 10 0 2 Detectives, at 10s. per diem ... ... ... ... 365 0 0 26 Constables, at 6s. per diem ... ... ... ... 2,847 0 0 Special constables in out-districts ... ... ... 200 0 0 Rents of police stations ... ... ... ... 74 0 0 Rations for Lock-up, Auckland, and out-stations ... ... 70 0 0 Conveyance of prisoners from out-stations ... ... ... 80 0 0 Carried forward £ 3—H. 14.