H.—S.

1883. NEW ZEALAND-

NEW ZEALAND CONSTABULARY (ANNUAL REPORT ON).

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

Lieut.-Colonel Beader to the Hon. the Defence Minister. Sir, — Commissioner's Office, Wellington, 31st May, 1883. I have the honour to submit to you a report of the Constabulary for the year ending the 31st March, 1883. The force is divided into two branches : the Bolice, numbering 461 on the Ist April; and Bield force (formerly termed Beserve), 634. Attached are returns showing the distribution of both branches. In the Bolice there have been 59 casualties during the year, namely, resignations, 34; discharges, 17 (six of which have been on compensation) ; dismissals, 6 ; and by death, 2. In addition to the 461 regular constables, there have been employed 10 district or special and 29 Native constables, at reduced salaries, ranging in the former class from £100 to £20 per annum, and in the latter from £50 to £10 per annum. New stations have been opened at Newmarket, Kamo, and Grafton, in the Auckland District; at North Invercargill and Wyndham, in the Southland District; and at Bimu, in the Westland District. An additional constable has also been given to Bort Chalmers. From the attached criminal statistics it will be seen that, compared with the previous year, there has been an increase of offences reported, to the extent in the North Island of 290, and in the South Island of 1,688. This increase, according to the reports of the local Inspectors, is mainly to be attributed to the increase of drunkenness in the colony. In the North Island, Auckland shows an increase of 8 cases; Napier, 105; Wanganui, 106; and Wellington, 69 : total, 288. In the South Island, Nelson shows an increase of 60 cases ; Westland, 107 ; Christchurch, 353 ; Timaru, 204 ; Dunedin, 192 ; Bake, 9 ; and Southland, 60 : total, 985. Total increase in the colony, 1,273 ; and these figures only represent the bad cases, where, through helplessness or disorderly conduct, the police were bound to interfere. It is satisfactory to note that the increase of offences is confined to the minor ones, and that there is a very marked diminution of the more serious crimes. I have had every reason to be well satisfied with the general very good conduct of the members of the force, and the zeal displayed by both the officers and men in the discharge of not only their legitimate police duties, but also the many others thrown on them by other departments, which, as I have shown in former reports, include having to act as census enumerators, collect agricultural statistics, act as officers of Customs at inland stations, and as licensing officers under the Arms Act; enforce the Dog Nuisance and Trespass of Cattle Acts; report upon all applications for charitable aid, and upon the estates of lunatics and deceased persons ; prosecute all cases for breaches of railway and municipal by-laws ; inquire into the circumstances of persons having children at the Industrial Schools, and summon those failing to comply with the Magistrates' orders for maintenance ; serve all civil summonses ; discharge the duties of inspectors' of- weights and measures ; compile tbe jury lists every year, and serve all jury summonses; assist the Begistrars of Electors in revising and compiling the electoral rolls ; act as gaolers at the police gaols ; act as magazine-keepers at Greymouth, Timaru, Blenheim, and Normanby ; and in the Canterbury District enforce the provisions of the Contagious Diseases Act. In addition to the above, at several country stations they perform the duties of clerks and bailiffs to the Besident Magistrates' Courts. In my last yearly report, dated the 31st May, 1882, the strength of the '' Bield force,'' then designated "Beserve," was stated as having been on the Ist April, 1882, 957 of all ranks. This has been reduced by 323, so that on the Ist April, 1883, the total strength was 634, distributed as follows, by districts, viz.: Waikato, 144; Taranaki, 220 ; Batea, 100; Taupo, 41; Opotiki, 80; and Depot, 49. The tranquil state of the several Native districts has enabled the men, without neglecting their drill and rifle practice, to be most usefully employed in placing their posts in thorough order and repair, in the construction of roads and bridges, carrying mails, assisting the civil branch when required, in collecting agricultural statistics, attending on the Courts, taking over the entire police supervision at several stations, and in making themselves generally useful under the directions of their officers. The road-work in the Taranaki District entailed much heavy bush-falling, clearing of stumps and undergrowth, ditching, draining, and construction of embankments. ■ Lieut.-Colonel Lyon and'dieut.-Colonel Boberts both testify to the zeal and good behaviour of all under them, pr.aise which I believe to be well deserved. The casualties during the past year, amounting to 323, are made up as follow: Transfers to Militia staff, 2 ; recruits to police, 23 ; resignations, 144 ; expiration of service, 99 ; discharges, 25;; desertions, 1; dismissals, 19; medical unfitness, 2; and by deaths, 8. Of the latter, one was a case of accidental drowning, one of suicide, and the remainder the result of fevers and chest and throat diseases. I have, &c, H. E. Beader, The Hon. the Defence Minister. Commissioner., I—H. 8.