9

H.—l6

offences would never think of doing so in regard to this traffic, whilst many persons would go out of their way to shield or give warning to sly-grog dealers. In detecting this class of offence it is often necessary to have recourse to so much subterfuge and evasion as to make the work exceedingly unpleasant, or even offensive, to some men. Indeed, it requires special tact and skill to outwit clever offenders in this unsavoury trade. Small penalties such as have been recorded in some localities only act as encouragement to offenders of this class, because they can easily afford small monetary penalties when the trade is flourishing, and a small fine having been recorded in Court is a good advertisement by directing thirsty persons to the places where their drought can be relieved. The conduct of the police has been generally good. Only eight fines for breaches of discipline have been recorded during the year. Some men are naturally inattentive and dilatory, whilst a few are sometimes inclined to be over-officious and exacting in trifles; but the bulk of the men have shown a general desire to carry out their duties in a reasonable, attentive, and tactful manner. 'Ihe concessions granted for cost of making up uniforms, allowance for boots, and the general advance in pay have been much appreciated by the Force, and have placed the service in a more satisfactory condition than it has ever been before. In regard to the special constables called up to assist the police during the strike the special mounted men who came to town from country districts were hurriedly brought together into strange surroundings and conditions at a time of great excitement; many of them were young men who had seen little of town life previously. Notwithstanding this, their conduct was exemplary; they preserved their dignity and kept their temper under the most adverse circumstances. Even when assailed by the vilest abuse that dirty minds and evil tongues could send forth they behaved well, and when attacked by large numbers of men who threw dangerous missiles in a violent and cowardly manner, and on some occasions even used firearms, the mounted specials restrained themselves in a most remarkable manner, and only occasionally gave slight chastisement to their assailants. I do not think that in any other country could be found an active lot of able-bodied men who would deal so leniently and quietly with rioters who gave them so much abuse, ill usage, and general provocation. At one time about 1,100 mounted men were on duty in the town, and out of that number less than a dozen gave any cause for anxiety in regard to their discretion and conduct. The foot specials who volunteered in the city were all that could be desired, exemplary in conduct, keen and watchful, and ready for any emergency that their citizenship might demand of them.

Superintendent Kiely, Auckland District. I beg to submit, for your information, my report upon police matters in the Auckland District for the year ending 31st March, 1914. The authorized strength of the district on the 31st March last was 172 of all ranks, an increase of 5 over the preceding year. The increase given was 4 constables for regulation of tiaffic at city and Newton, and 1 constable to replace a district constable at Houhora. No stations have been opened or closed during the year. A site and residence has been purchased at Takapuna. The casualties during the year were as follows: Death, 1 constable; retired on superannuation, 1 constable; resigned, 11 constables; called on to resign, 1 constable; and dismissed, 1 constable. The yearly oSences return shows that the number of offences reported was 5,611, as against 6,029 in the preceding year, a decrease of 418. The principal decreases occur in false pretences, 52; gaming offences, 160; obscene and profane language, 98; common assaults, 50; and vagrancy offences, 148. The population of the city and suburbs still continues to grow apace, and the northern townships are also increasing steadily. The increase of population is very marked in the Mount Eden district, and T think the time has arrived when a station should be formed at Mount Eden Road, and a suitable site, with residence thereon, acquired. Suitable sites are also required at Houhora, Herektho, Mount Roskill, Devonport, and Freeman's Bay, at which places the Department is paying high rents. Considering the floating population of this city, I think the number of offences reported that might be classed under the heading of "serious crime" is small, and I am pleased to say shows an appreciable decrease as compared with the preceding year. Burglary offences show a decrease of 11; common assault, 50; false pretences, 52; assaults occasioning bodily harm, 22. The general conduct of the members of the Force during the year has been good, except a very few cases in which the offenders were punished in the usual way.

Superintendent Dwyer. Christchurch District. I beg to submit my annual report on the state of the Christchurch Police District for the year ending 31st March, 1014. The strength of the Force in the district on the 31st March last was as follows : 1 Superintendent, 2 Sub-Inspectors, 4 senior sergeants, 10 sergeants, 110 constables, 1 district constable, 1 chief detective, 2 detective sergeants, 4 detectives, 4 acting-detectives, 2 matrons, and 1 surgeon (attached to the Christchurch Station). In addition to this strength, 4 more constables are required to cope with the additional work imposed on the police by other departments, especially so by the Defence and Education Departments—2 for Christchurch, 1 for Timaru, and 1 for Waimate.

2—H. 16.