H.—l6b.

constables, who find the first five years of their police life the most difficult in the way of making ends meet. I recommend that the constables receive a weekly allowance of 10s. 6d., and the sergeants a weekly allowance of 145., in all cases where free quarters are not supplied. Travelling-allowances. There is considerable complaint throughout the Force on the score of the small rate of travelling-allowance to sergeants and constables when on duty. They are paid 6s. a day, whereas the detectives get Bs. The latter seems a reasonable amount, and, as the cost of accommodation in both town and country has materially increased of late years, I think that 6s. is decidedly on the low side. I suggest that the Commissioner should consider whether the allowance all round should not now be raised to Bs. per diem. Travelling. A great deal has been said throughout the inquiry with regard to the regulations which obtain in respect of police officers, when travelling, having to use the steerage of steamers, if under commissioned rank. Rather than do so they invariably prefer to pay the difference themselves between the saloon and steerage fares. In the Auckland District the Northern Steamship Company allow all police officers to travel in the saloon at steerage rates. I understand from the Commissioner that new regulations are being drafted which will have the effect of removing all complaint as to these matters. Departmental Inquiries. I think that it would help to advance the discipline of the Force if the Commissioner and the Inspectors, or any person appointed by the Minister, were empowered by statute to take evidence on oath when holding inquiries affecting members of the Force. A similar provision to that contained in " The Government Railways Act, 1908," and the regulations made thereunder, would meet the case. I recommend that this be done as soon as convenient. Rewards. The question has been brought up in a few places, by dissatisfied constables, of the unsatisfactory and unfair way in which rewards have been apportioned amongst interested members of the Force in the matter of specially meritorious actions in the discharge of police duties. This only comes very remotely within the scope of my Commission, but in any case I certainly have no material upon which I can form a judgment or express an opinion. A matter such as this must be necessarily left to the head of the Department, who must be deemed to deal with all cases strictly on their merits and with due regard to the value of the work done. General Conduct. If there is one thing more than another that strikes one in connection with the New Zealand Police Force, and especially after a close inquiry such as the present one, it is the absolute freedom from allegations of bribery, corruption, or oppression, such as we are frequently hearing of in connection with the older Police Forces in more populous lands. I think that this may fairly be considered a subject for congratulation, for it not only shows the existence of a healthy tone in the community, but attests the general honesty of the Force. Police and Ex-Prisoners. It has been attempted to be shown that the police have been in the habit of interfering with ex-prisoners by giving information to their employers as to their antecedents, and in other ways, the effect being to prevent these men from

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