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tract from the Annual Musketry Return, showing the distribution of prizes for the year, which only reached 54 out of 75 who qualified for these rewards by their shooting. Colonial Prize Firing. —Forty-six members of the Armed Constabulary Force qualified for this firing, being four more than last year, of whom four attended the meeting as G-overnment representatives, and thirteen at their own expense. The performance of these members of the force considerably excels that of any in former years, Mounted Constable Poellnitz having carried off the Cavalry Champion Belt, and Foot Constable Elder having tied with the winner of the Infantry Belt, but, owing to the result of the Seventh Match, taking, as second highest scorer, the National Rifle Association's medal. There were also thirty-five other prizes obtained by the Armed Constabulary. Having observed that it has been stated in some of the public prints that the Armed Constabulary possess undue advantages over others, in having ammunition issued to them free, and so much more time at their own disposal for practice, I would take this opportunity of mentioning how these matters really stand. Exclusive of competitions, for which all alike receive ammunition free, the members of the Armed Constabulary receive 90 rounds each when going through the annual course of musketry ; for all other ammunition they pay 10s. 6d. per 100 rounds. As regards spare time, I will only state that members of the Armed Constabulary are not permitted to fire away even the ammunition they have paid for, except under supervision prescribed by orders. Arms, &c. The arms, accoutrements, ammunition, &c, which have come under my inspection were serviceable and in good order. The medium rifle, so long in use among the colonial forces in New Zealand, is now in process of being exchanged for a rifle on the pattern of the short Snider in use in Her Majesty's service. The new weapon is a decided improvement on the old, I think, for general service in New Zealand, being somewhat shorter and lighter; but Ido not anticipate that it will be found superior, if even equal, to the old weapon on the practice range. The result of the firing in this year's musketry course will, however, afford a very good test of the comparative merits as regards accuracy of these arms. The new rifles have one very noticeable defect as a military weapon, which is that, as they are stocked up to within one and a half inches of the muzzle, it is impossible to "pile arms" with them. The short saw-backed sword bayonet, with which the new rifle is fitted, is much more suited to the requirements of the force than the old bayonet served out with the medium rifle, and possesses, to my mind, a particular advantage in that, should men carrying side arms have occasion to act in an unarmed crowd as constables, the sword cannot be drawn by a person in rear of a man with the ease with which the bayonet can, rendering the latter, as it does, if not drawn by the wearer, more dangerous to him than to his assailants in such a case. I cannot, however, perceive that this sword bayonet answers the intention with which evidently it has been formed —namely, that it should be useful as a saw and chopper, as well as a thrusting weapon. The saw portion is too short and thick to be of any use almost, and the poise of the sword in the hand is not suited to make it a chopping instrument, sufficient weight not having been placed towards the point, which, it seems to me, might easily have been done without injury to it as a bayonet. Remarks. While it gives me much pleasure to be able to refer to the success of the members of the Armed Constabulary at tho Colonial Firing, and the increased percentage of marksmen in the force, I would remark that these results, though most desirable, are not or should not be made the primary objects of musketry practice. Iv an organized force, such as the Armed Constabulary, it is not a few brilliant shots merely are required, but that the men generally shall shoot well, and this end can only be obtained by those who are charged with the carrying out of musketry instruction using their best efforts to improve, in the annual course of training, the bad and indifferent shots. During the year 116 of all ranks have been transferred from the depot to districts. I am glad to be able to state that the conduct of the non-commissioned officers and constables who have served under my command has been very good. The health of the force at the depot has been generally satisfactory. I have, &c, W. Gr. Stack, Captain, Instructor of Musketry, Commanding Depot. The Acting Commissioner, Armed Constabulary Force, Wellington.

Enclosure 10 in No. 1. Inspector Broham, Auckland, to the Commissioner, Armed Constabulary Force. Sir, — Constabulary Office, Auckland, Ist June, 1875. In compliance with the instructions contained in Circular No. 47, of the sth June, 1871, I have the honor to report upon the Constabulary of this district during the past year. Attached are a statistical return of crime for the year 1874, and also an estimate of the cost of police for the ensuing year. The number of persons arrested during the year 1874, as will be seen by the return, was 2,351. Of these, 1,090 were charged with drunkenness, 207 with being drunk and disorderly, 250 with breaches of the Vagrant Act, 232 with petty larceny, 55 with lunacy, 67 with common assaults, 46 with assaulting the police, and the remainder with various offences enumerated in the record. In addition, 695 persons had been summoned by the police for offences under the Municipal Acts.