H.—l6b

evidence with regard to them, but certain reasons have caused me to call for the official files in connection with matters that did not appear clear to me. I have then found details of occurrences that seem to me to call for comment, mainly as showing the weakness of administration. One such occurrence had some extraordinary features, inasmuch as, although the evidence clearly proved very gross misconduct and drunkenness on the part of a certain officer, several constables were transferred who gave the information which led to the inquiry, on the ground that they had delayed the giving of such information, and then only gave it for ignoble motives; while the chief offender was allowed to remain at the station, and is still in the same locality, and has never been dealt with in any way for a very gross offence. And the position appears the more extraordinary because the Commissioner minuted the papers himself to the effect that the officer would be transferred. He evidently was satisfied that the allegations made were proved, and that transfer would be a sufficient method of dealing with the man. This is the case of a sergeant in Auckland who has been referred to more than once on account of certain alleged incidents in his career as a constable. I attach great importance to the keeping-up of weekly classes for all men of less than two years' service, so that they may be thoroughly well grounded in all branches of police duty. These classes, if conducted on proper lines, should be a most valuable education to young constables. lam aware that it has been the practice to have such classes for some time, but I am by no means sure that the most is made of them. Attendance at such classes should be absolutely compulsory, and the commissioned officers should personally see that the work is carried out on right lines. As it certainly touches the general question of organization, efficiency, control, and discipline, I propose to deal with the main police buildings as I have found them by personal inspection. Invercargill. The police quarters here are very good, and will suffice for many years to come for such a small district. Dunedin. The accommodation here is very cramped, and an early effort ought to be made to increase it. I quite realise that the main difficulty is the procuring of a suitable site, but the question will have to be tackled sooner or later, and no time should be lost in considering the whole position. I found that only one room was at the disposal of the detective staff, and that the Chief Detective had to occupy this in company with all his subordinates. This is not conducive to discipline, and is very objectionable in many ways. The room, too, in use by the sergeants is far too small, and does not tend in any way to efficiency. Christchurch. The quarters here are comparatively new, and are excellent in every way. Greymouth. Nothing here calls for any remark. The requirements of this small district will be met for many years to come. Wellington. At the Central Station on Lambton Quay the accommodation generally is very limited and very poor. The whole place is far too crowded for either convenience or proper sanitation. The men's sleeping-quarters, in the portion devoted to cubicles, are small, dark, and inconvenient. The place is a sort of rabbit-warren, and one shudders to think of what a dire calamity might happen if a fire unfortunately occurred. As the cubicles do not provide the necessary accommodation, some of the other rooms are used for sleeping-quarters. I was shown a room in which as many as nine men have slept. I consider this most

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