H.—l6a

1900. NEW ZEALAND.

POLICE PROVIDENT FUND: REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1900.

Laid before Parliament in pursuance of Section 26 (Subsection 5) of " The Police Provident Fund Act, 1899."

The Board have to report that the Act came into operation on Ist December last, between which date and the 31st March two officers—namely, Inspector Thomas Broham and Constable John Hayes—were retired under section 12, both being medically unfit for further service; the former, who was fifty-nine years of age, and had completed thirty-six years' service, being granted a life allowance of £240 per annum, and the latter, who was forty-nine years of age, with twenty years' service completed, being granted a life allowance of £54 15s. per annum. The balance-sheet and statemenb of receipts and disbursements, as required by section 25 of the Act, are hereto annexed, from which it will be seen that on the 31st March there was a balance of £3,256 17s. sd. to the credit of the fund. This very considerable balance in so short a time is mainly owing to the members of the Force who are entitled to retire voluntarily under section 13 not having so far availed themselves of their right to do so to any extent. The establishment of the fund has given general satisfaction to the Force. This is proved by the number who have availed themselves of its provisions. Some of the men feel that the contributions are too heavy ; but in this experimental stage it would be unsafe to recommend a reduction. James McGowan, Wellington, 6th June, 1900. Chairman of the Board of Administration.