9

H.—l6

In addition to the strength of the Force as shown above, there are 20 district constables, 10 Native constables, 4 police surgeons (one in each city), 4 matrons (one in each city), and 43 troop horses. In view of the present necessity of curtailing expenditure, lam recommending an augmentation of only 10 men to the present strength of the Force during the current year. Although this may not meet all demands for additional police protection, lam satisfied that with careful administration the necessary protection can be rendered to the public, and the efficiency of the Force maintained with that additional number. Inspectors' Reports. Extracts from the annual reports of the Inspectors in charge of districts are hereto annexed. I have, &c, W. DINNIE, Commissioner of Police.

EXTRACTS FROM ANNUAL REPORTS OF OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF DISTRICTS. Inspector Cullen, Auckland District. I have the honour to report for your information that the condition of crime in this district during the year 1908 has been normal, with the exception of the crime of housebreaking, which shows a considerable increase in the number of offences committed as compared with the preceding year. This increase is entirely due to the depredations of youths and boys—lo youths accounting for no less than 76 of the number of housebreaking cases reported. lam sorry to have to state that juvenile criminals are very much in evidence and on the increase in and about the City of Auckland. • No new stations have been opened in this district during the year just ended. The casualties in the Force here have been as follows : 2 constables were dismissed ;14 resigned ; I sergeant, 1 detective, and 1 constable were discharged on superannuation ; and Sub-Inspector Gordon, Sergeant Drake, Constable Slattery, and Matron McDonnell died during the year. As the late Sub-Inspector Gordon was a most capable and painstaking officer, his death has been a great loss to the Department. One constable was transferred to the Justice Department as bailiff. Inspector Kiely, Thames District. During the year there has been very little crime, and nothing of a serious nature, as will be seen from the following extracts from our Annual Offences Return : The total number of offences reported in 1907 was 783, and in 1908 the total was 908, an increase of 125. Of this increase, arrests for drunkenness accounted for 44 ; breaches of peace, 14 ; burglary, 18 ; disorderly conduct, 13 ; thefts undescribed, 19. The total number of prosecutions was 879, which shows a very small percentage of crimes undetected. The authorised strength of the district on the 31st March was 1 Inspector, 3 sergeants, 29 constables, 1 detective, an increase of 2 constables over last year. One constable was added to the strength of Waihi Station, and 1 constable took charge of station opened at Kerepehi. The conduct of the members of the Force in this district has been satisfactory. Inspector Dwyer, Napier District. The total number of offences reported during the year ending the 31st December last was 2,311. against 2,161 in the previous year. This shows an increase of 150, but this increase was chiefly for drunkenness. The licensing laws continue to be well observed in the district. There were 10 prosecutions for sly-grog selling during the year, resulting in 6 convictions and fines amounting to £62 imposed. The conduct of the members of the Force in this district has during the year, with a few trifling exceptions, been exemplary, and the utmost harmony prevails amongst all ranks. Inspector Wilson, Wanganui District. The strength of the Force is—l Inspector, 1 Sub-Inspector, 8 sergeants, 62 constables, and 3 detectives : total, 75, and 1 district constable. New stations have been formed at Horopito and Wanganui East. A Sub-Inspector has been stationed at Palmerston North and a sergeant has been placed at Stratford, a second constable at Marton, and an additional constable each at Palmerston North and Taihape. Settlement along the Main Trunk line, the Wanganui River, Whangamomona, and Mokau districts continues, and most of the land is taken up and is being brought under grass, extending the areas for police patrols and supervision. The conduct of the men has been very good, and, as a rule, they have been very careful in the execution of their duties. The criminal statistics for the year show 2,480 offences reported, 2,407 of which have resulted in arrests or summonses, leaving 73 undetected offences. The undetected offences work out at about three per cent, of the total cases reported. 2—H. 16.

Inspector Kiely, Thames District. During the year there has been very little crime, and nothing of a serious nature, as will be seen from the following extracts from our Annual Offences Return : The total number of offences reported in 1907 was 783, and in 1908 the total was 908, an increase of 125. Of this increase, arrests for drunkenness accounted for 44 ; breaches of peace, 14 ; burglary, 18 ; disorderly conduct, 13 ; thefts undescribed, 19. The total number of prosecutions was 879, which shows a very small percentage of crimes undetected. The authorised strength of the district on the 31st March was 1 Inspector, 3 sergeants, 29 constables, 1 detective, an increase of 2 constables over last year. One constable was added to the strength of Waihi Station, and 1 constable took charge of station opened at Kerepehi. The conduct of the members of the Force in this district has been satisfactory.

Inspector Dwyer, Napier District. The total number of offences reported during the year ending the 31st December last was 2,311. against 2,161 in the previous year. This shows an increase of 150, but this increase was chiefly for drunkenness. The licensing laws continue to be well observed in the district. There were 10 prosecutions for sly-grog selling during the year, resulting in 6 convictions and fines amounting to £62 imposed. The conduct of the members of the Force in this district has during the year, with a few trifling exceptions, been exemplary, and the utmost harmony prevails amongst all ranks.

Inspector Wilson, Wanganui District. The strength of the Force is—l Inspector, 1 Sub-Inspector, 8 sergeants, 62 constables, and 3 detectives : total, 75, and 1 district constable. New stations have been formed at Horopito and Wanganui East. A Sub-Inspector has been stationed at Palmerston North and a sergeant has been placed at Stratford, a second constable at Marton, and an additional constable each at Palmerston North and Taihape. Settlement along the Main Trunk line, the Wanganui River, Whangamomona, and Mokau districts continues, and most of the land is taken up and is being brought under grass, extending the areas for police patrols and supervision. The conduct of the men has been very good, and, as a rule, they have been very careful in the execution of their duties. The criminal statistics for the year show 2,480 offences reported, 2,407 of which have resulted in arrests or summonses, leaving 73 undetected offences. The undetected offences work out at about three per cent, of the total cases reported.

2—H. 16.