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Many members of the criminal class arrived during the year, and several of them have been convicted of offences committed here, some of them being long sentences for assaults and robbery, housebreaking, &c. The employment of some constables in plain clothes I find very effectual in checking offences, more especially at night. A Native constable was appointed at Kaikohe in May of last year, and he has given much satisfaction in the performance of his duties. A district constable was appointed at the Great Barrier in February last. The residents of Waihi, Avondale, and Pahi are much pleased at the decision of the Government to establish police-stations at these places on an early date. New residences have been built for the constables at Aratapu and Pukekohe. The police party sent to the Great Barrier in November last, on receipt of intelligence of the wreck of the steamship " Wairarapa " there on the night of the 29th October, 1894, rendered good service in recovering bodies and getting them buried. The property found and taken charge of by the police has, with the exception of some small articles of jewellery handed to the relatives of deceased, been handed over to the agent of the Public Trustee. Well-deserved praise has, lam pleased to be able to record, been bestowed on the police who were at the Great Barrier; and lam much pleased that the services of Sergeant Gamble and the constables who were with him have been recognised by the Government. In April, 1894, in obedience to instructions from the Hon. the Premier, I proceeded to Paeroa, with a party of Police and Permanent Force, under command of Lieutenant Hume, to prevent a breach of the peace which was imminent between two Native tribes. With the able assistance of Mr. Kenny, Stipendiary Magistrate at the Thames, we succeeded to the entire satisfaction of the Premier and yourself. One constable was dismissed, another reduced a class and transferred, three were fined, and a few for minor offences were reprimanded; with these exceptions the conduct of the sergeants, detectives, and constables, has been satisfactory, displaying much zeal in the performance of their duties'. Many of the constables have succeeded in obtaining convictions for sly grog-selling.

Inspectoe J. Emeeson, Napibe and East Coast. In accordance with your circular No. 8/95, I beg to report on the Napier and East Coast Police District for the year ended the 31st March last as follows : — The criminal statistics for this district during the year ended on the 31st December last disclose a decrease of 100 offences as compared with return for previous year. The most marked alteration in the offences under the different headings is that of drunkenness, there being a decrease of 117 cases for the year; but crime of a more serious nature has increased, seventy-two cases going into the Supreme Court, as against fifty during the previous corresponding period. These offences were of the usual nature, none being of a nature so grave as to require special mention. Burglary and housebreaking increased rather seriously, twenty-four cases being reported, and twenty-one offenders brought before the Court, an increase of twelve on the previous year. In December last, seven constables, formerly members of the Permanent Artillery, went through a course of gunnery instruction at Wellington and Auckland Forts, the men from Hawke's Bay going to Wellington, and those from Gisborne to Auckland. Two constables were dismissed for misconduct, and two were discharged on compensation, as unfit for further service, on the report of a Medical Board. The police-stations generally are in fairly serviceable order; some of the buildings require painting and other slight repairs, which will be reported on from time to time. The old buildings used as police-quarters at Napier are in a very bad state, being scarcely habitable, and the erection of new quarters, cells, &c, is now under notice, and receiving the attention of the Public Works Department.

Inspector J. B. Thompson, Wanganui and West Coast. As will be seen by the annual Offences Return from this district, filed in your office, there has been an increase in some offences during the year, and a decrease in others, the chief increase being in desertion of wives and families, false pretences, drunkenness (a slight increase only), and larceny from dwellings; the chief decrease being in breaches of the peace, cattle- and horse-stealing, larceny, obscene and profane language. No new police-stations have been opened withm this district, but the Normanby Station has been closed. The usual monthly meeting of Natives continues to be held at Parihaka by Te Whiti, the Maori prophet, the largest being as usual on the 17th March, but for some time past they have led to no difficulty or trouble. Hakas and poi dances are indulged in daily, and the usual feasting goes on as long as the food lasts, when the visitors disperse and return to their respective settlements, some a long distance off, but no excessive drinking takes place at these monthly gatherings at Parihaka. Although no seizure in connection with illicit distillation has been made in this district during the year, the police are very watchful for any information that may lead to such seizures and arrest of the offenders concerned. The police-buildings generally throughout the district are in a fair condition, and, with the exception of Wanganui, will not need much expenditure for repairs during the ensuing year. At Wanganui it has been decided by the Public Works Department to erect new police-buildings, and same are now in progress. The conduct of the sergeants and constables throughout the district has been creditable to the department, and their discharge of their police duties, as well as the numerous other duties they have to perform, has been on the whole very satisfactory.