H.—l6

6

By the foregoing it will be seen that the men would very largely provide their own pension fund. During the sitting of the Eoyal Commission on the Police Force, the opinion of many of the men was obtained upon the proposal here set forth, and which I have already given in evidence before that Commission, and it was found that they were almost unanimously in favour of the scheme. I may say that the scheme here described is not nearly so liberal as that in vogue in many of the police forces I am acquainted with. Medical Opficbks. I most strongly advocate the appointment of medical officers to be paid by the department at every possible place. I consider this an absolute necessity, to act as a check on men going on sicklist improperly, to detect cases where men abuse their constitutions through their vicious habits, and to relieve the men of paying for medical certificates when going on sick-list. The attendance of the medical officer should be given the men free of charge, but for every day a man is on sick-list Is. should be deducted from his pay. These medical officers could either be paid so much per annum for each man under them or receive an annual salary. As the number would fluctuate at each place the former would be the most equitable mode of payment. During the sittings of the Police Commission several instances have occurred showing very plainly the necessity of appointing police medical officers. Bicycles. Bicycles have been used by detectives at Christchurch, and by suburban constables, with good results, and, as the department is a considerable gainer by the use of these machines, I think it but fair that the men who use their own machines should receive some allowance for wear and tear. I therefore recommend that an allowance of 2s. per week be made to every man who uses his machine in the execution of his duty, but the allowance to be paid only to such men as the Commissioner may consider can use their machines for the benefit of the department. This arrangement will, I am sure, be much more economical than if the department supplied machines for use of the men. Inspectoes' Bepoets. Extracts from the annual reports of the Inspectors in charge of districts are annexed. I desire to draw attention to the following matters referred to therein: — The remarks of Inspector Pender re the Silverstream murder, those of Inspector Broham re the Amberley murder, and those of Inspector McGovern re the Native troubles in connection with ploughing the settlers' land and the Parihaka murder case. In each of those matters the police engaged, in my opinion, acted admirably, and deserve the highest praise. Inspector Pardy and the constables under him stationed in the Clutha District, have worked hard in attempting to deal with the sly-grog traffic, and considerable success has attended their efforts. Inspector Cullen and those who assisted him in connection with the sly-grog traffic in the King-country also deserve praise for their work. By the deaths of Inspector Pratt, Sergeant-major Moore, Sergeant O'Donovan, and Constable Stephenson, the two latter from drowning while attempting to rescue others, the Force lost the services of four good officers. Disteicts. I think the headquarters of the Wanganui and West Coast District should be removed from New Plymouth to Wanganui, and the Palmerston North Sub-district, now in the Wellington District, be transferred to the Wanganui District. This would relieve the Wellington District, which is at present unwieldy. The Auckland District is also much too large, but it is so situated that no portion thereof could with advantage be transferred to any other existing district, therefore the only remedy is to create a new district, with headquarters at Thames, but I do not recommend this change at present. If, however, the Thames District Goldfields continue to go ahead, the above suggestion will ultimately have to be carried out. The Province of Marlborough, which is at present attached to the Wellington District, might with advantage be transferred to the Nelson and Westland District, and the headquarters of the latter district removed from Greymouth to Nelson. Nelson is by far the most populous place in the district, being about double that of Greymouth, the present headquarters. Stations, Cells, etc. New stations are urgently needed at Arrowtown, Hamilton West, Kaikoura, Mokau, Ormondville, Southbridge, and Waverly, in addition to those for which some provision was made in last year's estimates, and which have not yet been erected. These are : Auckland, Invercargill, Mauaia, Opunake, and Te Kuiti. Many other stations are by no means up to date ; but this more especially applies to the want of suitable accommodation for the public who call on matters of business, and necessary comfort and convenience for sick or insane persons and prisoners while detained at the police-stations. As regards the sick and insane, I recommend that a special cell or room be at once fitted up ac the following stations, viz. : Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Nelson, and Wanganui. During the year 1897 the number of insane persons detained at above stations were ; Auckland, 23 ; Wellington, 56 ; Christchurch, 34; Dunedin, 37 ; Nelson, 10 ; and Wanganui, 8. With respect to ordinary prisoners, additional cell-accommodation is urgently required at many stations to permit of a better system of classification of prisoners; and all cells, except those exclusively for the use of drunken or unclean persons, should be well ventilated, better lighted, and provided with hammocks and a settle.