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14. In order that the working of each police district may be known to the members of the Legislature and the public, it is thought that the following extracts from the annual reports of the Inspectors in charge of the different districts will be read with interest, and they are published accordingly. • ■ I have, &c, The Hon. the Defence Minister. A. Hume, Commissioner.

EXTEACTS FBOM ANNUAL EEPOET OF OFFICEBS IN CHAEGE OF DISTEIGTS.

Inspector J. Hickson, Auckland, Waikato, and Bay op Islands.

■ Tho return of crime which has been furnished shows that 2,597 offences were reported in the year 1893, as against 2,410 in 1892, showing an increase of 187. The principal increases were in the following cases : — Breaking into shops, dwellings, and burglary : Eighty-one cases were reported, showing an increase of forty-six. For these offences thirteen persons were committed for trial; five were convicted at the Supreme Court, three were summarily convicted, and five discharged. Cattle and horse stealing : Twenty-eight offences were reported, showing an increase of eleven. Of these, twenty-two persons were prosecuted; twelve of them were committed for trial, and of these eleven were convicted at the Supreme Court, one was summarily convicted, and nine were discharged. Deserting and failing to provide for wives and children : Seventy-five were reported, being an increase of twenty-six; seventy-two were prosecuted, thirty-nine of whom were summarily convicted and thirty-three discharged. For disobeying orders of Court: Eighty-seven were reported, being an increase of sixty-two. Eighty-six were prosecuted; forty-three were summarily convicted and forty-three discharged. Disturbing meetings and congregations: Seventeen offences were reported, as against none during the previous year ; for these, seventeen persons were prosecuted and summarily convicted. Embezzlement: Sixteen cases were reported, being an increase of four. Fourteen persons were arrested, one of whom was committed for trial and convicted, two were summarily convicted, and eleven discharged. False pretences : Thirty-three offences were reported, being an increase of four. Twenty-seven persons were prosecuted, five of whom were committed for trial; four of these were convicted; sixteen were summarily convicted', and six discharged. ■ Forgery and uttering: Thirteen offences reported, being an increase of nine. Nine persons were prosecuted, committed for trial, and subsequently convicted at the Supreme Court. Gaming unlawfully : Eight cases were reported,-being an increase of seven. Eight persons were prosecuted, five of whom were summarily convicted and three were discharged. Larceny of all kinds: 607 offences were reported, being an increase of 177. For these offences 303 persons were prosecuted, of whom twenty-three were committed for trial. Eighteen of these were convicted at the Supreme Court, 221 were summarily convicted, and fifty-nine discharged. Many of the offences of larceny were of a trivial nature, and in many cases the property stolen was not identifiable. This will account for the small number of prosecutions when compared with the number of offences reported. Eape, and attempts to commit: Five offences were reported ; none the previous year. There were four prosecutions, and of these three were committed for trial; one of them convicted at the Supreme Court, and one was discharged. Smuggling : Eight offences were reported, being an increase of six. Eight persons were prosecuted, four of whom were summarily convicted and four discharged. Suicide, attempted: Fourteen cases reported, being an increase of ten. All were prosecuted and dealt with summarily. There was one case of death, resulting from injuries received in a glove-fight. The principal and accessories were discharged, the Grand Jury having found no bill. In some classes there has been a decrease. The following are the principal:— Abusive and threatening language : Twenty-two cases were reported, being a decrease of twenty-three. Twelve were summarily convicted and ten discharged. Breaches of the peace: Twenty-one cases reported, being a decrease of thirty-five. Twenty were prosecuted; of these, eighteen were summarily convicted and two discharged. Drunkenness : 915 were apprehended, showing a decrease of 121. Naval deserters : Eleven were reported, being a decrease of twelve. Seven were arrested and placed on board their vessels. Neglected and criminal children : Eleven were reported, being a decrease of eleven. Ten were summarily convicted and one discharged. In the early part of last month three constables, who attempted to arrest two Maoris who had been convicted of removing sur,vey-pegs, were obstructed and assaulted near Mercer by a number of Maoris, under the leadership of Keroi Kaihau. On the 9th ultimo, according to your, instructions, I proceeded to Mercer to effect the arrest of those for whom warrants had been issued. I took twenty police, and was supported by Lieutenant Hume and sixteen of the Permanent Force: After much resistance, we arrested Kerei Kaihau and eighteen of his followers. Ten of the principal offenders, including Kerei Kaihau and his wife, have been committed for trial. Larrikinism is kept well under. Several members of the criminal class have arrived in Auckland from Australia during the year, especially from Sydney.