H.—l6

10

The total number of offences shows a slight decrease. Although under the head of " Drunkenness/ there is an increase of 101 cases, there is a general decrease of all other crimes. There have been 13 prosecutions against publicans in 1908 for breaches of the Licensing Act, resulting in 5 convictions and 8 cases being dismissed or withdrawn. There have been 21 prosecutions against sly-grog sellers, resulting in fines amounting to £310 being inflicted ; and 3 persons have been sent to gaol for terms of imprisonment without the option of a fine. The only serious crime occurring during the year was the murder of Mrs. Klenner by Dr. Ooode, at Waitara, in December last; the trial took place before Mr. Justice Chapman, at New Plymouth. The charge was completely proved, but the jury was directed to acquil accused on the ground of insanity, and he will be detained in a mental hospital indefinitely.

Inspector Ellison, Wellington District. During the past year new police-stations have been opened at Day's Bay (Eastbourne) and Karori. An acting-detective and 9 constables have been added to the city staff, an increase that was much needed and is much appreciated. At Petone and Wellington South the constables who were in charge last year have recently been replaced by sergeants. New buildings have been erected at Petone, Richmond, and Wellington South, and a new station has been commenced at Takaka. The Offences Return furnished in January shows that the total number of offences reported was 5,865, an increase of 126 over the previous year ; whilst the total number of arrests was 5,643, an increase of 79. The principal increases are as follows: Assaults and robbery, 13; burglary and housebreakmg, 20 ; deserting wives and children, 89 ; disobeying orders of Court, 30 : illegally on premises, 26 ; obscene language; 74 ; sly-grog selling, 27 ; theft, 89. Decreases appear in the following: Abusive and threatening language, 10; breaches of peace, 22; drunkenness, 186 ; gaming offences, 58; indecent behaviour, 9 ; sureties of the peace, 26 ; obstructing and resisting police, 10 ; theft by servants, 8. In addition to the usual police work, a great deal of clerical work and inquiry is done lor other Departments, including reports re old-age pensions, machinery and boiler inquiries, reporting re applications for licenses (such as servants' registry offices), naturalisation applications, drivers, sharebrokers, adoption of children,-&c. The Sub-Inspector, station sergeant, and the detective staff have done good work during the year ; so also have the members of the clerical staff and the sergeants, and many constables. During the year 10 constables were discharged on resignation, 2 were dismissed, 2 discharged on pension, 33 constables and 2 Sub-Inspectors were transferred to other districts. The arrivals were 1 station sergeant, 2 sergeants and 19 constables from other districts, and 41 recruits.

Inspector Black, Grbymouth District. The authorised strength of the Force on the 31st March last was : 1 Inspector, 5 sergeants, 31 constables, and 1 detective, being an increase of 2 constables during the year. During the twelve months past 2 sergeants and 7 constables were transferred to other districts, and 2 sergeants and 8 constables were transferred here from other districts, while 1 sergeant and 3 constables were transferred to stations within the district. The district constable at Karamea resigned, and a member of the regular Force was sent there. The conduct of the men as a whole during the last twelve months has been good. The criminal statistics for the year are 754 offences reported, as against 561 in the previous year. The increase is due principally to drunkenness, gaming, and other offences not of a serious nature. Proceedings were taken by arrest and summons in 719 cases out of the 754, thus leaving 35 offences unaccounted for, or a little less than 5 per cent, on the whole, which I submit is fairly satisfactory. During the year there were 45 prosecutions against publicans for breaches of the Licensing Act, resulting in 18 convictions, as against 30 prosecutions and 18 convictions during the previous year. There have been no prosecutions for sly-grog selling during the past twelve months, and there is no reason to think that liquor is sold on the sly to any very great extent in this district. Inspector Gillies, Christchurch District. On the 31st March last the authorised strength of the Force was 139 men of all ranks, made up as follows : 1 Inspector, 2 Sub-Inspectors, 1 station sergeant, 13 sergeants, 112 constables, 7 detectives, and 3 acting-detectives. There is also 1 district constable, a surgeon, and matron. The casualties were : Medically unfit, 1 detective and 1 constable ; resignations, 3 constables ; dismissals, nil. The total number of all offences reported during the year ended the 31st December, 1908, was 3,304, and the total number of persons arrested or summoned during same period was 3,155, a reduction of 347 offences as shown in comparison with the year 1907. This must be considered satisfactory, notwithstanding a considerable increase in the population of the district. Credit is due to the Force for united vigilance in the prevention and detection of offences. The number of prosecutions under the city by-laws during the year was 433.

Inspector Gillies, Chkistchurch District. On the 31st March last the authorised strength of the Force was 139 men of all ranks, made up as follows : 1 Inspector, 2 Sub-Inspectors. 1 station sergeant, 13 sergeants, 112 constables, 7 detectives, and 3 acting-detectives. There is also I district constable, a surgeon, and mat run. The casualties were : Medically unfit, 1 detective and 1 constable ; resignations, •'! constables ; dismissals, nil. The total number of all offences reported during the year ended the 31st December, 1908, was 3,304, and the total number of persons arrested or summoned during same period was 3,155, a reduction of 347 offences as shown in comparison with the year 1907. This must be considered satisfactory, notwithstanding a considerable increase in the population of the district. Credit is due to the Force for united vigilance in the prevention and detection of offences. The number of prosecutions under the city by-laws during the year was 433.