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Inspectoe E. Macdonell, Nelson and Westland Disteict. During the latter half of the present year there has been a number of offences of a serious nature investigated and dealt with. There were no less than five charges of abortion and accessories thereto, and, although all the cases appeared to be very strong, juries would not convict. Complaints were made of sly-grog selling in the southern portion of Westland, and successful steps were taken to detect same, resulting in three convictions; two fines of £2 each (with costs of Court) were inflicted, while the third was convicted and discharged—the result being an expenditure of about £30 in detecting and prosecuting, while the fines amounted to £4 and costs of Court only. I am pleased to say that members of the Force, on the whole, conducted themselves well, and appear to have carried out their various duties in a satisfactory manner.

Inspectoe J. W. Ellison, Cheistchuech and Noeth Otago Disteict. Considerable difficulty was experienced in keeping in check an undesirable class of criminals, owing to decisions given by the Bench here that evidence of such individuals habitually consorting with other thieves and prostitutes by day and night would not be admitted in prosecutions for vagrancy. The result was that Christchurch received a large addition of such criminals, with a proportionate increase in thefts and similar offences. However, after considerable difficulty and continuously watching certain individuals, a few of them were successfully prosecuted for vagrancy without introducing evidence such as is objected to, and some others were convicted of thefts and similar offences. This had a certain check on them, but the evil still exists to some extent, thus demonstrating the advisability of amending the law, respecting which a special report was made. There has been a considerable increase in the number of arrests for drunkenness. This is in some measure due to the general prosperity during the year, and partly to vigorous action of the police in clearing the streets of intoxicated persons. Out of 653 persons arrested in Christchurch for drunkenness 403 were known to be old offenders. The Indictable Offences Summary Jurisdiction Amendment Act of 1900 has been a great success. Already many accused persons have taken advantage of it to plead guilty, and be sent to the Supreme Court for sentence. The conduct of the police of the district has been, as a rule, good. A few individual members have not been very energetic or zealous.

Inspectoe W. S. Paedy, Dunedin, Southland, and Lakes Disteict. The gold-dredging industry is still very active, and, although several companies have gone into liquidation, still dredges continue to be built. A number of successful prosecutions in sly-grog cases have taken place in the Clutha district, also in other parts of this district. The successful prosecution of sly-grog sellers in the prohibited district is still accompanied by the greatest difficulty, owing to sympathy expressed by the local residents, and the odium attached to witnesses for the prosecution in such cases. The conduct of sergeants, constables, and detectives during the year has been satisfactory, and they have been zealous and attentive to their duties.