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we have not sufficient to enable one man to be kept continually on duty, night and day —a service warranted by the growth, shipping, and importance of the place. Another constable is urgently required at Westport to maintain a continuous tour of duty. The Pension Fund has given great satisfaction and contentment to all the elder members of the Force. Amongst the younger —in fact, in all ranks—a feeling is growing up that the payments are rather heavy, and that sufficient provision is not made for widows.

Inspectok E. J. Gillies, Cheistchukch and North Otago District. New barracks are urgently required for accommodation of the men at Ghristchurch. The old buildings, which are used as a dormitory, are now quite unfit for occupation, and as they are in the last stage of decay I consider it would be a waste of money to attempt further repairs. These buildings, which were erected of wood over thirty years ago, could not have been designed for a permanent structure. Had they been in view of the public street I have no doubt they would have been condemned many years ago, and would now be looked upon as a disgrace to the city. I have therefore to urge that new barrack accommodation be provided with as little delay as possible. It will be seen that out of the 3,777 offences reported there were 3,702 persons arrested or summoned, hence the percentage of undetected crime is small in the district during the year, and in the majority of cases remaining undetected, such as thefts, the property in question was not identifiable, this, I submit, proves that both energy and zeal were efficiently displayed by the members of the Force throughout the district during the year. I beg to recommend an augmentation of seven men to the strength of this district. These are now required for duty in Christchurch City and suburbs. As two men were recently transferred to New Brighton and Sumner, their places should be filled at Christchurch (besides an addition of two men). An additional man is wanted for St. Albans, a detective or plain-clothes constable for Lyttelton; and a station should be opened at Upper Riccarton, where a mounted constable is required.

Inspector T. O'Brien, Dunbdin District. Sly-grog selling, both in the city and the prohibited area, has been considerably checked during the year by the imposition of heavy fines and the passing of long terms of imprisonment. Owing to tberesult of the voting at the last general election, it may be expected that after the 30th June next this class of offence will be on the increase, and strenuous efforts will have to be made in order to insure observance of the law. Proceedings against hotelkeepers during the year have again shown the necessity for amendment in the licensing laws. It has been found that it is most easy to evade the law in the absence of a provision making it punishable for any person other than a lodger, the licensee, his family or his servants, to be found in licensed premises during the time such premises are directed to be closed; and, further, it should be made illegal for a boarder or lodger to purchase liquor for all and sundry, some of whom he may have never seen before. I would also suggest that only one bar be permitted in each licensed house. I must again draw attention to the necessity of some provision in the law for the regulation of the conduct of private billiard-rooms. At present there is nothing to prevent such places being kept open all night ; and where that may happen it is safe to predict that gambling in some shape or form takes place. The municipal bodies do not appear to take advantage of the powers conferred upon them by " The Municipal Corporations Act, 1900," to regulate such matters, and even though they did, they could only regulate in boroughs, and many of the worst-conducted places would be left uncontrolled. I would suggest that all such places be closed not later than 10 p.m., and that the person having charge of the room be made liable to a penalty not exceeding £5 for allowing any person apparently under the age of eighteen years to be in such room. I cordially welcome the addition made to the statute law during the last session in the shape of the Second-hand Dealers Act. The benefits of the measure have already been felt in Dunedin, and care will be taken that its provisions are strictly enforced. It is needless to refer to the advantages of the Police Provident Fund Act, as that is a matter of common knowledge; but, seeing the rapid rate at which the fund is accumulating, I would suggest that a reduction in the stoppages for that purpose be considered with a view to the amendment of the Act in that direction.

Inspector A. J. Mitchell, Southland District. I have the honour to report that the district was established on the Ist October last, and comprises eighteen stations, with a strength of four sergeants, twenty-six constables, one detective, one district constable, and a female searcher. The township and borough of Invercargill, having an area of 1,000 acres, and a population of over 6,400 persons (still steadily increasing), is inadequately patrolled at night. Two additional constables are much needed here to afford the necessary protection after dark. Members of the Force are agreed that the time has arrived when the percentage of contribution to the Police Provident Fund should be reduced.