H.-16

10

and criminal children, 42 ; theft (undescribed), 55 ; theft by servants, 34 ; theft from dwellings, 8 ; theft from the person, 5. The principal decreases for the year are : Arson, 7 ; burglary, breaking into shops, dwellings, (fee, 5 ; deserting or absenting from H.M. ships, 10 ; disorderly and riotous conduct, 16 ; drunkenness, 84 ; failing to provide adequate maintenance for wives, children, parents, or other near relatives, 65 ; false declarations, 9 ; Fisheries Act. offences under, 22 ; illegally on premises, 13; sly-grog selling, 14; soliciting prostitution, 8; trespass, 43; vagrancy, 13. The number of bicycles reported lost or stolen was 787. Of this number, 639 were recovered by the police, and 52 are in the store unclaimed. Man}' are recovered by the owners, who never inform the police. During the year the amount of fines imposed in sly-grog cases was £170. [ am pleased to say that no serious breaches of the Police Regulations had to be reported, and the number of minor complaints made against constables was comparatively small. The younger members qf the Force have shown an aptitude and willingness to conform to discipline which is very creditable to themselves as well as to the sergeants in charge of them.

Inspector Mitchell, Dunedin District. The authorized strength of the Force in this district on. the 31st March last was 1 Inspector, 1 Sub-Inspector, 2 senior sergeants, 12 sergeants, 85 constables, 1 Chief Detective, 4 detectives, and I acting-detective. During the year ended the 31st March 3 constables retired on pension, having reached the agelimit ; 1 constable retired as medically unfit; and 2 constables resigned. One detective and 7 constables were transferred from, and 1 sergeant, 1 detective, and 16 constables were transferred to, the district. The conduct of the members of the Force has, with two or three exceptions, been very good, and their attention to duty has been fairly well proved by the fact that out of 1,940 offences reported 1,807 were detected. During the year ended the 31st December last 1,940 offences were reported, as against 2,167 in the preceding year. Of the former, serious offences, such as burglary, &c, show a decrease of 37. Of drunkenness 778 cases were dealt with, showing a decrease of 30. For sly-grog selling 29 cases were reported, and 17 convictions obtained, resulting in fines totalling £410 being imposed. The accommodation at the Central Station is inadequate. The present site could possibly be enlarged by adding a portion of the adjoining section belonging to the Prisons Department, and thus enabling some very necessary additions to be made.

Inspector O'Donovan, Invercargill District. On the 31st March last the authorized strength of the district was as follows : 1 Inspector, 4 sergeants, 31 constables, 1 detective, 1 acting-detective, 1 district constable. During the year the strength was augmented by 1 acting-detective. The conduct of the majority of the men has been good, especially so in the case of those in charge of stations. Two constables retired in consequence of breaches of regulations ; in three other cases fines were imposed. During the year ending the 31st December last 697 offences were reported, as against 578 in 1910, an increase of 119. Of those reported, 675 were detected. The principal increases in offences last year occur in the following cases : Threatening behaviour, 9 ; common assault, 9 ; disorderly and riotous conduct, 12 ; drunkenness, 44 ; mischief, 20 ; sly-grog selling, 23 ; theft, 23 ; vagrancy, 14. Decreases occurred in these cases: Breaches of the peace, 10; disobeying orders of Court, 14; malicious injury to property, 6 ; theft by servants, 9 ; failing to provide for relatives, 4. Throughout the district there has been no crime of an abnormal character ; and both the uniform and detective branches have applied themselves unsparingly, and with gratifying success, to the task of dealing with the crime reported. Last year I intimated that vigorous efforts were being made for the suppression of illicit dealing in liquor and other offences against the licensing laws in no-license districts. A return already forwarded you shows that fines amounting to £445 were imposed during 1911 for sty-grog selling in the district. There is no relaxation of vigilance in respect of this class of offences. Section 13, Licensing Amendment Act, 1910, requires to be re-enacted, or declared to subsist for purposes of the no-license districts as constituted by the Representation Commission last year. The population of Southland Provincial District in 1906 was 35,184, and in 1911 58,728. The population of the police district is about 61,000. The proportion of police to population is about 1 to 1,600. The population of Invercargill and the suburban area served by the police stationed, in the town is about 18,000. With the full strength there are only 12 constables, 3of whom are stationed in the suburbs and 9at the chief station, available for this area. This number is scarcely adequate at any time ; but it is certainly deficient when some of the men are on leave, sick, or absent relieving at other stations. In order to fairly meet requirements I must ask for an increase of 2 constables,. lof whom is urgently wanted already to patrol residential parts of the town at night. I think the statistics I have quoted show that I am justified in detailing the other for the special task of suppressing illicit transactions in liquor, at least for some time.