H.—l6.

8

EXTEACTS FROM ANNUAL REPORTS OF OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF DISTRICTS. Superintendent Ellison, Wellington District. The authorized strength of the district on the 31st ultimo was 156, as against 149 at the end of the previous year. The increase is made up by one Inspector promoted to Superintendent and another Inspector added to Wellington Station ; 4 sergeants transferred to Wellington so as to establish a city sectional station at Manners Street, 1 sergeant permanently added to Lambton Quay Station, who has been there temporarily, and 1 constable added to Kilbirnie Station. No stations have been opened, and none closed. New buildings have been erected at Wakefield, and a quarter of an acre of land, with a house thereon, has been purchased at Kilbirnie. During the year 2 constables died, 6 resigned, and 2 were dismissed. One senior sergeant, 2 sergeants, 2 detectives, and 20 constables were transferred to other districts ; 1 Inspector, 1 detective sergeant, 7 sergeants, and 10 constables were transferred from other districts, and 15 trained recruits were appointed to the district. The general conduct of the Force in this district has been good. Two men were dismissed for grave misconduct; but apart from these two cases, there was nothing to specially complain of, only 6 men having been fined for breaches of discipline. For the year ended the 31st December, 1912, the number of all offences reported was 6,025, as against 5,513 for the previous year. Out of this number, 5,720 were arrested or prosecuted by summons, leaving 305 unaccounted for. The undetected or unaccounted-for offences consist principally of petty thefts and ship-desertion. The increases are principally under the headings of —Drunkenness, 466 ; abusive or threatening behaviour, 22 ; ship-desertion, 25 ; disobeying orders of Court, 27 ; obstructing police, 18; soliciting prostitution, 37; thefts, 70. Decreases appear principally under-—lndecent assault, 9 ; breaches of peace, 26 ; burglary and housebreaking, 27 ; | carnally knowing young girls, 5 ; failing to provide for relatives, 14 ; false pretences, 12 ; illegally on premises, 17 ; opiumsmoking, 10 ; refusing to quit licensed premises, 12 ; vagrancy, 18. The district has been very free from serious crimes. The worst description, coming under the heads of burglary, forgery, and indecent assaults, all show a decrease for the past year. lam not disposed to suggest any additions to statute law at present. The number of Acts passed since the statutes were consolidated in 1908 indicates that we have about enough law to go on with for a few years. When an opportunity does arise for amending the licensing laws, I think some attention should be given to benefits for the general public who make use of licensed premises as a necessary boon and convenience, so that a better scale of accommodation might be ensured in cases where such is required. I understand the difficulty of opening the question owing to the divergent opinions of the two parties who take such keen interest in the subject, one desiring to destroy and the other to defend the existence of licensed houses, so that travellers, tourists, and the general public who desire to use licensed hotels for legitimate and necessary purposes have been ignored altogether. I desire to mention that the Police Regulations recently published, and the general tendency to improve the Police service which has been apparent for the past six or nine months, should have a beneficial effect on the Police Force in general. If the examinations to be held in the various ranks are prepared so as to be a test of the practical knowledge, common-sense, and discrimination of the candidates, and that plain legible writing and good spelling be one of the principal points by which marks are to be gained, then a splendid result may be anticipated. The fact that the highest position in the service is now open to the members of it, instead of making little of and shunting aside competent qualified officers in favour of experimental outsiders, as has been the custom in the past, is already being favourably felt throughout the service. An addition of at least twelve constables to Wellington City will be required, consequent upon the establishment of a new city section (Manners Street), and the regulation of all street traffic under agreement with the City Council. Old beats, which have in the past been very long, will have to be curtailed and new beats established, as well as three permanent points in the busiest thoroughfares. I also beg to suggest that a new residential station for one constable be established at Kelburne, and that arrangements may be made for moving the station now located at Clyde Quay from there to a convenient position about Oriental Bay, where there can be more supervision of Roseneath, a growing suburban locality. Superintendent Mitchell, Auckland District. The strength of the Force in the Auckland District on the 31st March last was 1 Superintendent, 1 Inspector, 1 Sub-Inspector, 3 senior sergeants, 16 sergeants, 133 constables, 1 Chief Detective, 2 detective sergeants, 7 detectives, 2 acting-detectives, 6 district constables, 4 Native constables, 1 matron, and 1 surgeon. On the Ist February last the following stations were detached from this district and added to the Hamilton Police District: Hamilton, Cambridge, Frankton Junction, Huntly, Kawhia, Kihikihi, Kirikiriroa, Ngaruawahia, Ongarue, Otorohanga, Raglan, Raurimu, Taumarunui, Te Awamutu, and Te Kuiti. This involved a transfer of 1 senior sergeant and 22 constables to the latter district. Pukekohe and Otahuhu Stations have been increased by 1 constable each, and Onehunga by 2 constables. I beg to recommend that at least 6 additional constables be added to the strength of the Central Station, and 1 constable to the Newmarket Station, so that adequate protection may be afforded property and a rapidly increasing population.