H.—l6b

According to the repoit of the first Police Commission, in 1898, there were then fifteen district constables. The following passage appears in that report: " These men are residents in localities where there is no regular police officer, who have been sworn in as constables, and who receive a small salary in respect of their being occasionally called upon to perform local police duty. They wear no uniform, and are not liable to be transferred, and are under but little supervision. They are useful in the absence of regular police, but are regarded as a ' makeshift,' and will disappear as settlement advances and the Force becomes strong enough in numbers to supply their places with trained constables." It is curious to note that this was written eleven years ago, and that, although settlement has increased to a marvellous extent, and the Force now numbers 771, as against 533 at that time, yet there are five more district constables now than there were then. Native Constables. There are also ten Native constables employed, and I attach a return showing their stations, rate of pay, and length of service : —

The pay apparently varies from a minimum of £20 to a maximum of £137. I imagine that there is not a great demand made upon the man who only gets £20 per annum. These constables are appointed to do duty in localities where there is a large Native population. Special Cases. The cases of a district constable and of a Native constable were brought before me. Both men were anxious to be enrolled into the Police Force and given a number. Both constables were spoken of as being exceptionally good men. They have held their positions for a number of years, and have given all their time to police duty. If I could possibly see my way to do it, i would very willingly recommend that both these men be taken on as they desire; but there is a difficulty over the Police Provident Fund. Both these men contribute to the Public Service Superannuation Fund, and until these two funds are merged, or until provision is made for the transfer from one fund to the other on an equitable basis, I fear that nothing can be done. I believe that both these constables receive 7s. 6d. a day, with a lodging-allowance. They are fairly entitled to a small increment. The evidence of these two men will be found on pp. 226 et seq. and 243. Their Inspector speaks most highly of them on page 238. They are evidently excellent men. Dismissals and Resignations. It will be as well here to give a return of the men dismissed from the Force, and the reasons for such dismissal, from the Ist July, 1907, to the 30th June, 1909; also a return showing the men called upon to resign, and the reasons,

XLVI

1^ CD a I Police District. Station. Rate of Pay per Annum. Length of Service. Auckland Thames Mangonui Rawene Te Kuiti Tuakau Whangaroa Omaio Opotiki Whakatane Gisborne Tuparoa £ 30 90 100 52 30 20 30 40 137 128 Yrs. mos. 2 9 15 9 0 1 2 0 0 9 3 11 3 11 2 8 9 4 27 0 Napier