H.—l6

1903. NEW ZEALAND.

THE POLICE FORCE OF THE COLONY (ANNUAL REPORT ON).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The Commissioner of Police to the Hon. the Minister of Justice. Sir, — Police Department, Commissioner's Office, Ist May, 1903. I have the honour to submit for your information the annual report on the Police Force of the colony (together with the criminal statistics) for the year ended 31st March last. Strength of Force. On the 31st March last the strength of the Force was 613 of all ranks, being an increase of 9 during the year. The total is made up as follows : Inspectors, 8; Sub-Inspectors, 4 ; sergeantsmajor, 1; sergeants, 58; constables, 522; detectives, 20. In addition to above, there were 4 police surgeons, 4 matrons, 20 district constables, 11 Native constables, and 79 horses. Stations. New stations have been formed at Piriaka, Eahotu, Rongotea, Shannon, and Blackball. Ohingaiti and Pungarehu have been closed; a district constable has been appointed at Cowes (Waiheke Island); and the district constables at Kawhia, Motueka, and Richmond have been replaced by permanent constables. Casualties. The casualties (Appendix C) have been: Eetired under the Police Provident Fund Act, 15; resigned, 14 ; died, 4 ; services dispensed with, 4 ; dismissals, 2 : total, 39. This is 13 more than in the preceding year. Criminal Statistics. These statistics (Appendix A) deal with all offences reported to the police during the year ended 31st December last, and show an aggregate net increase of 384 on the figures of 1901. The principal increases are : Arson, 38 ; assaults, common, 49 ; burglary, breaking into shops, dwellings, &c, 135 ; cruelty to animals, 28 ; deserting and failing to provide for wives and children, 107; disobeying orders on board ship, 46 ; drunkenness, 212; false declarations, 22; gaming offences, 153; indecent exposure or behaviour, 58; obscene and profane language, 70; obstructing thoroughfares, 29; theft of cattle and horses, 33 ; trespass, 68; and vagrancy, 29. The principal decreases are : Assaults, indecent, 35; breaches of the peace, 138; deserters and stragglers from H.M. ships, 39; disorderly and riotous conduct, 35; failing to supportparents and near relatives, 89; game, illegally shooting, 24 ; obstructing and resisting police, 28; sly-grog selling, 26; stone-throwing, 72; theft of sheep, 20; theft from dwellings, 58; and theft from the person, 40. Remarks on Criminal Statistics. The net increase (384) in the number of offences over the preceding year does not, from a population basis, represent any real increase at all, inasmuch as in 1901 the proportion of offences to population was 236 per cent., while in 1902 it was 2-35 per cent.; or, in other words, there was in 1901 one offence to every 42-35 of the population, whereas in 1902 there was one offence to every 42-53 of the population. I—H. 16.