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objectionable, and mainly on the score of decency. In another room I found that a sergeant and two constables were sleeping. On the score of discipline I consider this highly objectionable. I was greatly struck by the fact that there is no clothes-room and no drying-room in the barracks. These would appear an essential. A great portion of the room in each cubicle, small as it is, is occupied by the men's clothes. When the men come off duty on a wet night and have to hang their clothes up in these cubicles, one can imagine that the atmosphere would be highly insanitary. It is essential that proper accommodation should be provided in these respects. The office accommodation is good—quite as good as in any of the best stations. The cell-capacity is far below what is necessary in a city like this, growing so fast as it is. I found, to my astonishment, that there is only one cell for female prisoners. If there happened to be several of these in custody at one time, they would all have to be huddled together into the one small cell. It does not require much stretch of imagination to fancy what the result would be. The cells for male prisoners are in a way equally limited. Very frequently several prisoners are placed in one cell. I think this is abominable. The lack of ventilation on my visit was appalling. I consider that the Commissioner should have persistently drawn the attention of the Minister to a most objectionable state of matters, with a view to its being remedied. At Mount Cook Station I found an equally crowded state of sleeping accommodation. In one room seven men were sleeping, and in another five. There was absolutely no ventilation except through the windows, and these had to be left open in all weathers. One of the main objections that I think can be urged against this indiscriminate herding together of constables in this manner is that no man has any privacy, and, being cut off, as it were, from all social life, he is not helped to live up to a refined standard of life. The effect on ill-dis-ciplined minds must be most disastrous. It seems to me that the Department has a clear duty in this connection. Wanganui. This comparatively small district has very suitable and sufficient headquarters. The place is excellently kept, and in capital order. Napier. This station calls for no remark. It will answer all the requirements for many years to come. Auckland. This is, with Christchurch, the most convenient and best-equipped station. It is, of course, comparatively new, and has been built with a view to modern requirements. As I have said elsewhere, it is the only station that has been supplied with a gymnasium. The reason why Auckland should have been so exceptionally favoured is not quite clear. The Newton Station and barracks, which have been recently erected, are excellent in all respects. The population of this portion of the City of Auckland has increased so enormously of late years that no less than four sergeants are stationed here, with a considerable number of men. The needs of the district in the way of accommodation have so far been amply provided for; but, if the city grows in the next ten years as it has grown in the past ten, one can quite imagine that still greater needs will have to be met and provided for. Some of the small suburban stations, such as Eden Terrace, are greatly in want of attention; but these are departmental matters, and should be promptly dealt with. Thames. The new station is much beyond the requirements of this small and inconveniently situated district.- The new building, which is very solid and imposing, was evidently erected to provide suitably for the Inspector and staff of the district when it was newly constituted. Whether the result has justified the somewhat heavy expenditure is, I should think, more than doubtful.

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