H.—l6

6

Two men were dismissed during the year, and eight men were punished for offences in connection with drink, but in only one of these cases was the offence one of drunkenness whilst on duty. Very little dissatisfaction is expressed by members of the Force as to the present condition of the service, and, with the exception of a few small, but important, alterations for the better supervision of the men and the more efficient performance of the police duties required, the working of the Department is at present on a satisfactory basis, and can be favourably compared with any other Police Force. Extra Woek of Police. The following is a list of special appointments held by the police in addition to their ordinary duties, and although on the whole the work performed by them for other Departments is satisfactorily carried out, and is, no doubt, a considerable saving in the expenditure of the Departments concerned, in some instances it interferes with the efficient performance of police-work, and is the cause of applications being made for additional police-protection. Bailiffs of Magistrates' and Wardens' Courts ... ... ... ... 142 Charitable Aid Boards' agents ... ... ... ... ... 8 Clerk of Assessment Court... ... ... ... ... ... 1 Clerks of Magistrates'and Wardens' Courts ... ... ... ... 113 Clerks of Licensing Committees ... ... ... ... ... 14 Customs Officer Deputy ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 Customs Officers under Beer Duty Act ... ... ... ... 8 Deputy Eegistrars of old-age pensions ... ... ... ... 25 Dog Eegistrars ... ... ... ... ... ... .. 6 Gaolers ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 25 Inspectors of Awards under Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act .. 10 Inspectors of Clubs ... ... ... ... ... ... 7 „ Distilleries ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 „ Factories ... ... ... .. ... ... 154 „ Machinery ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 Sea-fisheries ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 „ Shearers' Accommodation ... ... ... ... 2 „ Weights and Measures ... ... ... ... 54 „ under Beer Duty Act ... ... ... ... ... 10 Labour Department agents ... ... ... ... ... 14 Licensing Officers under the Arms Act ... ... ... ... 39 Magazine-keepers ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 Official Members of Maori Councils ... ... ... ... ... 7 Postmasters ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 Probation Officers ... ... ~. ... ... ... 51 Public Trust Office agents ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 Rangers under Animals Protection Act ... ... ... ... 3 „ Crown Lands Act ... ... ... ... 1 „ Fisheries Conservation Act ... ... ... 3 „ Kauri-gum Industry Act ... ... ... 3 Receivers of Gold Eevenue ... ... ... ... ... 12 Registrars of Births, Deaths, and Marriages ... ... ... ... 4 Eegistrars of Mining ... ... ... ... ... ... 12 Vaccination Inspectors ... ... . ... ... ... 1 Strength and Distribution op the Foece. As regards the present strength and distribution of the Force (vide Appendix B) continued demands for additional police-protection are still being received, and, owing to the gradual increase of the population, it is evident a number of those demands are justifiable. I am of opinion that an augumentation of five sergeants, fifteen constables, and five detectives is urgently needed, and that this number would meet the present requirements and satisfy the demands made. FINGEE-PEINT BeANCH. The finger-print system of identification of criminals was first introduced into the Prisons Department in this colony in March, 1903, but was subsequently taken over by the Police Department and properly established in July last. The branch is now in good working-order, the classification and registration of finger-prints being systematically carried out by two experienced clerks under my supervision. The system adopted is that originally formulated by E. R. Henry, Esq., C.5.1., Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, London, and is precisely the same as that now in operation under his supervision at New Scotland Yard. All finger-impressions of criminals are taker! by the Prison authorities immediately after conviction, and forwarded to the Finger-print Branch for registration, except in special cases where the criminal is unknown, and it is deemed necessary to have the finger-prints taken during remand or whilst awaiting trial, with the view of ascertaining his or her identity and previous history before trial. In such cases the finger-prints are forwarded for identification to the Australian States or elsewhere, according to the information obtained concerning the accused. Credit is due to the Gaolers and warders for the satisfactory manner in which the finger-impressions are taken, considering the brief experience they have had.