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Strength and Distribution of the Force. Continued demands for additional police protection from city and outside districts are received by the Department; and, owing to the increased population, it is evident that a number of them will soon have to be satisfied. I consider that an augmentation of at least 2 sergeants, 20 constables, and 2 detectives is necessary to meet legitimate demands. The proportion of police to population would then be only one to every 1,294 inhabitants. Cost of Police, etc. A return is herewith annexed (Appendix C) giving proportion of police to the population and the cost of police per inhabitant in each of the Australian States and in this colony. Inspectors' Eeports. Extracts from the annual reports of the Inspectors in charge of districts are hereto annexed. I have, &c, W. DINNIB, Commissioner of Police. EXTEACTS FEOM ANNUAL EEPORTS OF OFFICERS IN CHAEGE OF DISTEICTS. Inspector Ctjllen, Auckland District. The casualties during the-year were 1 sergeant, 1 detective, and 9 constables resigned, 1 constable dismissed, and 4 constables retired on superannuation. New stations have been opened at Epsom, Morrinsville, and Eaurimu. The criminal statistics for the year ending 31st December last show a decrease in almost all the serious classes of offences except sexual ones, in which there has been a very marked increase, more especially offences against girls under the age of consent. The conduct of the senior members of the Force has been good, but that of some of the junior hands has been quite the reverse. Inspector E. Macdonell, Napier District. The return of crime for the year ending 31st December last shows a slight diminution from the figures presented in the last year's report, but actually the offences reported in the present district have considerably increased, the difference being accounted for by the fact that the returns for 1905 included those stations transferred in March last year to the Auckland District. During the year 2,089 offences were reported, as against 2,199 for the previous year from the larger district and 1883 from the stations included in the present district, showing an actual increase of 206. Of these, 2,019 resulted in the prosecution of offenders, leaving 70 offences for which the offenders were not summoned or arrested. The following offences show the principal increases : Abusive and threatening language, 21; burglary, 29 ; deserting wives and children, 22 ; drunkenness, 40 ; theft (undescribed), 37. The principal increase in drunkenness occurred at Dannevirke—viz., 43 ; while the following stations show a substantial decrease : Spit, 10; Waipawa, 26 ; and Napier, 28. Thirty-two informations were laid against licensees for breaches of the licensing laws, resulting in 8 convictions and 24 dismissals or withdrawals. A new station was opened at Scinde in Napier, and one at Waipiro Bay. Inspector N. Kiely, Wanganui District. The criminal statistics for the year 1906 show 2,405 cases reported and 2,339 detected, which is a slight increase (51) on the previous year. Only 66 offences remained undetected, which clearly shows the energy displayed in the detection of crime in this district. There was a slight increase in some cases—chiefly drunkenness, 56; obscene and profane language, 23; failing to support relatives, 25; malicious injury to property, 30. There was a decrease in breaches of the peace, 21; burglary, 18; deserting wives and families, 20; and theft (undescribed), 14. There was no marked increase in the more serious crimes, although 1 man and 1 woman were convicted of murder during the year. The strength of the district is 1 Inspector, 5 sergeants, 58 constables, 3 detectives, and 2 district constables. Inspector J. W. Ellison, Wellington District. During the twelve months ended 31st March the district has been equally as prosperous as the previous year. A great many people have been travelling, and the population has increased considerably. In the City of Wellington, as well as in most of the adjoining boroughs, numerous buildings have been erected. Wellington City has spread out in a remarkable manner, and the same can be said of the suburbs. The expansion of the city and suburbs demands a considerable increase in the police staff in order to afford reasonable protection and keep pace with the progress being made in all directions. The number of arrests and summonses for the year was 4,872, as compared with 4,143 for the previous twelve months, an apparent increase of 729 ; but as the Nelson Subdistrict return, which was not included in this district last year, furnished 162 of the cases, the net increase was 567. The number of offences reported in which no prosecutions resulted was 128, as against 136 for the previous year.

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