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additional constable is also required at Blenheim, Masterton, and Wellington South to .secure a continuous and more efficient police patrol by day and night. The suburbs of Wadestown and Kelburn have also increased so much that it is a matter for consideration whether a constable should not be stationed at each place. Inspector Mathieson, Greymouth District. No new stations have been opened during the year, neither have any been closed. Two constables died during the year from natural causes. During the year 1,347 offences wore reported, of which 1,314 were dealt with by arrest or summons, leaving a little over 2 per cent, unaccounted for, which 1 submit is fairly satisfactory. Compared with previous year, however, there is an increase of 151 offences : these are principally due to prosecutions under the Licensing Act. The conduct of the men as a whole has been good, only one constable being punished for offences against the regulations in this district. A second constable was punished here for an offence which took place in another district prior to his transfer. The population of the district shows a steady increase, and when the Otira Tunnel is opened (which will be soon) it is expected there will be a large influx of people to the Coast. Superintendent Sheehan, Christchurch District. I beg to recommend again that the strength of the Christchurch Station be increased by at least one sergeant and ten constables, in order to carry out the work efficiently. An additional constable is badly required for New Brighton Station, where the population is rapidly increasing and building going on apace. I consider that in the very near future a sergeant should be stationed at this growing centre. An additional constable is required at St. Albans and Lyttelton Stations respectively. I would again draw attention to Leeston Station, which is still being worked from Southbridge. Every possible effort has been made to secure a suitable house to rent for a constable to reside in, but without success. Leeston is an important centre, and the efficiency of the Force is impaired through not having a permanent constable stationed there. This position has arisen through the old building being condemned some time ago and not being replaced. During the year one constable died, seven constables and one detective resigned, one temporary constable was discharged, and one senior sergeant, one sergeant, and one constable retired from the Force on superannuation. The offences reported during the year ended 31st December, 1922, numbered 3,445, compared with 3,553 in 1921. The principal increases in offences for the past year were —Theft from dwellings, 49 ; false pretences, 31 ; burglary, 15 ; house and shop breaking, 75 ; forgery and uttering, 5 ; arson, 6 ; vagrancy, 6 ; unlawfully using horses and motor-cars, 12 ; breaches of Arms Act, 71. The principal decreases were —Carnal knowledge, 1.3 ; receiving stolen property, 4 ; forgery, 4 ; drunkenness, 256 ; indecent exposure, 6. I iiave very much pleasure in recording that there has not been any serious crime committed in the district during the past year, and nothing calling for any special remark. The conduct of the non-commissioned officers and constables (including the detective branch of the Force) has been very good during the past year. Inspector Willis, Timabu District. During the year one sergeant died and two constables resigned from the service. A vacancy at present exists for one constable at Timaru, and when this is filled it will bring the district up to full strength. The total number of offences reported during the year ended 31st December, 1922, was 870, as against 877 for the previous year. Principal increases were —Thefts from dwellings, 15 ; theft of postal packets, 4 ; selling or exposing liquor for sale at unauthorized times, 6 ; found on licensed premises after hours, 26 ; failing to comply with maintenance orders, 20. Principal decreases were — Assaults (indecent), 9 ; theft (undescribed), 32 ; false pretences, 5 ; housebreaking, 7 ; breaches of the peace, 9 ; assaulting or obstructing police, 9. There has been no crime of a serious nature during the year, and in fact the whole district is particularly free from serious crime. The conduct of members of the Force has been very satisfactory on the whole, a few of the junior constables only having to be dealt with for minor breaches of discipline. The population of the district is increasing, but a very considerable amount of building is going on, which has had the effect of making the housing-conditions somewhat easier than was the case last year. The inquiry work done for other Departments certainly does not show any signs of falling off, and keeps the time of the police very fully occupied, whilst the administration of the Arms Act entails an enormous amount of work. The value of the Act, in preventing the use of dangerous weapons by irresponsible persons and criminals, is increasingly apparent as time goes on. Superintendent Marsack, Dunedin District. The offences return shows the total number of all offences reported during the year ending 31st December, 1922, to be 1,196, as compared with 1,349 for the previous year, a net decrease of 153. of which 131 were accounted for in decrease of cases of drunkenness. Of the number of cases reported, 1,074 were dealt with by the Courts, leaving 122 undetected offences. Increases occur principally in cases of offences against the rights of property, and breaches of the regulations under the Arms