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Inspector Kibly, Thames District. During the year ended 31st March, 1910, the district has been almost free from serious offences. The new police buildings here were handed over and taken possession of on the 16th August last, so that the members of the Force here are now well provided for. New offices, which were much needed, have also been provided for the police at Eotorua, the building being a substantial four-roomed cottage, containing two offices and two bedrooms. There are two stations in the district—Rotorua and Opotiki—where the strength requires to be increased by an additional constable. The conduct of the members of the Force during the year has, on the whole, been very good, with the exception of one or two cases, where just punishment has been inflicted.

Inspector Dwyer, Napier District. The return of crime for the year ending 31st December last shows that 1,994 offences were reported to the police, and out of that number 1,930 were detected. This shows a substantial decrease in crime as compared with the returns for the previous year when 2,311 offences were reported. The decrease is spread over all the stations, Dannevirke showing the largest decrease, there being 169 less offences reported there than in the previous year. This decrease is accounted for by the closing down of several of the sawmills and the throwing-out of employment of a large number of hands, who had to seek for work elsewhere. In drunkenness alone there was a decrease of 103 druing the year. The conduct of the sergeants and detectives has been good during the year, and so has that of the constables with but few exceptions. The whole of the district continues to prosper, and Gisborne and surrounding district are mcreaisng in population so rapidly that an additional constable is much needed for the Town of Gisborne, as one man is almost continually employed on relieving and escort duty.

Inspector Wilson, Wanganui District. The strength of the Force is 76—1 Inspector, 1 Sub-Inspector, 8 sergeants, 63 constables, and 3 detectives —a total of 76, and 1 district constable. Settlement along the Main Trunk Line, the Wanganui River, Whangamomona, and the Mokau districts continues. New settlers are constantly taking up land. Bushfelling, grass-sowing, and fencing continue to give employment to a large number of men. On the Stratford-Ongaruhe construction works some 600 men are employed. At Wanganui at least one more constable is required, I consider any town the size of Wanganui should have a watchhouse-keeper on duty at the station all night. This we cannot do without seriously interfering with the working of the town at night. At Palmerston North I think a constable could be well employed as plain-clothes constable. The work of the detective is too great to be thoroughly done, and he needs the assistance suggested. The population of the district is approximately 140,000 ; the present Force is 76. This works out at one man to each 1,842 persons ; so that on a population basis we should have many more men. The conduct of the men, on the whole, has been very good, and, as a rule, they have been zealous, careful, and attentive in the discharge of their duties. The wholesale licenses granted at Raetihi, Ohakune, Rangataua, Awakmo, and Mokau will be discontinued at the end of June next. From my own knowledge, and reports from reliable persons, these licenses are worse than the open bar, and cause more drunkenness and rowdyism amongst the youngei men.

Inspector Ellison, Wellington District. The authorised strength of the Force in this district on the 31st of Ma eh last was 153 and the actual strength 151, including 1 constable who has been absent for several months in other districts on special duty. The increase to the authorised strength during the year was 1 acting detective and A constables to the head station at Wellington. . The Offences Return furnished in. January shows the total number of offences reported during last year was 5,508, a decrease of 357 on the previous year. The number of undetected offences was 200, as against 222 for the previous year. Many of the undetected offences were petty thefts. ' On the whole, the year's work shows a fairly good result. The decrease in offences may be to some extent attributed to the fact that money was not so plentiful for spending purposes' in the community as for a few years previously, but with a large moving population some offences may vary considerably at different periods without any apparent reason. , t The conduct of the Force, as a rule, was good, and whilst some men do not show a groat deal ot tact and energy, and are slow to learn their work, the past year shows a great deal of creditable work and a satisfactory result. The detective staff has worked well and energetically, and the same can bo said ot many ot the uniform service, there being, as a rule, a general desire to perform onerous and often unpleasant duties in a straightforward loyal manner.