H.—l6.

8

constables, who grappled with them, and with the assistance of the owners of the store secured their arrest. The constables were unarmed, and it is gratifying to know that their plucky conduct has been adequately recognized. The medals were publicly presented to the constables at Wanganui by the Hon. Minister of Justice. Promotions. —The promotions during the year have been —Inspector R. Marsack to be Superintendent ; Sub-Inspector J. McNarnara to be Inspector ; Senior Sergeant D. J. Cummings to be Sub-Inspector ; one sergeant to the rank of Senior Sergeant; three detective-sergeants to the rank of Senior Detective ; and six constables to the rank of sergeant. Serious Crimes. —Under the heading of serious crimes there has been an increase of 159 offences, 155 of which were burglaries, breaking into shops, dwellings, &c. There were 5 murders, as compared with 10 the previous year, and in each case an arrest was made. The return of sexual offences shows a decrease of 59 on the previous year's figures, mostly under the headings of rape and indecent assaults on females. Strength of Force. —The actual strength of the Force on the 31st March last was 980 permanent members and 23 temporary constables, as compared with 974 permanent and 35 temporary men in the previous year, a net decrease of 6. The strength has been kept down solely in the interest of economy, and it is impossible to meet the present requirements of the public without materially increasing the Force. The population is increasing, and if crime is to be kept in check, and the other manifold duties which the police have to attend to are to be efficiently performed, the Force must be increased. As I remarked in my last report, New Zealand has a cheaper Force than any State in Australia, and the proportion of police to population is the lowest. A reference to Appendix Cof this report will show the cost per head and the proportion of police to population in New Zealand and in each of the Australian States. Officers in charge of districts estimate that they require at least 66 more men to meet urgent requirements. I have asked for authority for 50 more men, and trust that approval will be granted. Training-depot. —The training which all recruits now have to undergo is proving of great value to the Force. Each recruit is drilled and put through a course of physical exercise (including jiujitsu) ;he is taught to swim, how to render first aid, and how to direct traffic. He also receives instruction as to the manner in which ho is to enforce the law as laid down in the different statutes, and what his powers are regarding arrests. During the year 80 recruits were put through the depot, and 73 of that number were added to the strength. I append extracts from reports of officers in charge of districts. A. H. Weight, Commissioner of Police.

EXTRACTS FROM ANNUAL REPORTS OF OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF DISTRICTS. Inspector Emerson, Whangarei District. At least three extra constables are required at Whangarei Station. The time has now arrived when constables should be put on night duty. With the present staff it is quite impossible to keep up a satisfactory night patrol. One constable was retired from the Force under compulsory resignation, and one constable resigned voluntarily during the year. The number of offences reported during the year total 787, as against 874 for the previous year — a decrease of 87. Action was taken in 756 cases. Increases are shown in the following offences: Assaults (common), 17 ; theft from dwellings, 6 ; grossly indecent acts, 6 ; unlawfully using horses, motor-cars, &c, 6 ; failing to pay maintenance-money, 8 ; selling liquor without a license, 5 ; supplying liquor to Natives in proclaimed districts, 7 ; breaches of Arms Act, 6. Decreases arc shown in following offences : Assaults with intent to commit crime, 5 ; theft (undescribed), 48 ; burglary, 6 ; house or shop breaking, 5 ; breaches of the peace, 13 ; drunkenness, 39 ; assaulting police, 7. No serious crimes were reported during the year. The conduct of the members of the Force has been good, and they have shown considerable keeness in carrying out their duties. Superintendent Hendrey, Auckland District. During the year the strength has been increased by one extra constable at Mount Eden Station, three constables to increase the strength of the Auckland detective staff, one constable at city station, and two constables at Newton Station for fixed point duty, a total increase of seven constables. Increase of strength is urgently required at following stations : Freeman's Bay —Increase of one constable to enable two constables to be kept for night duty ; the present night-duty beat takes nearly two hours to patrol, and should be divided into two beats. Queen Street Wharf —Two additional constables are required at this station. The wharves are extending, and require closer patrol than present strength permits. Mount Eden —One extra constable is required at this station to permit a regular patrol, say, from 3 p.m. till 11 p.m., being maintained along the New North Road from Dominion Road to Kingsland. Newton Station —An increase of two constables is required at