H.—l6

14

Act, the latter being generally due to carelessness ; while offences against the person and drunkenness show a considerable decrease. In detail, increases occur under the following headings : Indecently assaulting a male, & ; murder, 2 ; manslaughter, 2 ; theft (undescribed), 18 ; burglary, 15 ; attempted housebreaking, 3 ; receiving stolen property, 8 ; forgery, 2 ; uttering false documents, 8 ; arson, 2 ; possessing unregistered firearms, 55 ; obtaining arms without permit, 18 ; delivering arms without permit, 4 ; presenting firearms, 2. Decreases show under headings of—lndecent acts, 3 ; assault, 14 ; theft from dwellings, 8 ; theft by clerks or servants, 5 ; theft of animals, 4 ; false pretences, 9 ; housebreaking, 21 ; drunkenness, 129 ; drunk and disorderly, 6 ; using obscene language, 22 ; assaulting, obstructing, or resisting constables, 12 ; unlawfully using motor-cars, 8. On the 14th August, 1922, a man and hia wife were indicted for the murder of their newly born child, whose body had been found under a bush in Park Street, Dunedin, with a tape tied round its neck, showing that it had been strangled. The two accused were acquitted, both Judge and jury adopting the view that the Crown had not proved that the child had become a human being, within the meaning of the Act, at the time of its death. They were subsequently convicted on a charge of concealment of birth, and sentenced to long terms of reformative detention. The conduct of the members of the Force in this district has been very satisfactory during the year, only a few minor breaches of the regulations have been reported, which have been dealt with by small fines or reprimands. Inspector McNamaea, Invercargill District. An increase in strength of three constables (for Invercargill), and a detective, or acting-detective, is very necessary. In the near future, too, the question of stationing a sergeant at Riverton will require consideration. This town is growing fast, and is now the watering-place for Invercargill and the many other towns in Southland. Invercargill has about sixty miles of streets, and at least sixteen miles of these require periodical patrol : with the present strength this is impossible. Motor traffic is increasing rapidly, and speeding is too common. Only an increase in the strength of the Force will reduce this dangerous habit. The detective or acting-detective is required to assist in the detective office. The detectivesergeant is much, away in the country ; last year he travelled over 8,000 miles, and was actually away from Invercargill about 180 days, and for close on seventy nights. The detective work has got beyond the capabilities of one man, and, although he has had the assistance of a constable, it is still too much. The extra man is much required. No stations have been opened or closed during the year ; but an office, cells, and outhouses have been built at Tuatapere. The conduct of the members of the Force in the district has been good. The total offences reported during the year were 751, as against 700 for the year 1921, an increase of 51. Arrests or summonses followed in 718 cases. There were 30 males and 1 female committed for trial, of whom 21 males and 1 female were convicted. The chief increases were —Thefts from dwellings, 14 ; mischief, 14 ; failing to maintain, 10 ; breaches of prohibition orders, 11 ; found on licensed premises after hours, 17 ; no-license offences (various), 14 ; Arms Act offences, 66. The chief decreases were —Thefts (simple), 21 ; breaking and entering shops, 12 ; drunkenness, 55 ; obscene language, 12 ; assaulting police, 10. The licensed houses have observed the law reasonably well during the year. Sly-grog selling is almost unknown in the district.