H.—l6.

12

The casualties during the year were one constable died, one Inspector and three constables resigned voluntarily, and two constables were called upon to tender their resignations. The offences reported during the year ended 31st December, 1924, numbered 3,176, compared with 3,235 in 1923, a decrease of 59. A case of attempted murder was reported during the year. A man attempted to murder his wife by pushing her over a cliff some 60 ft. in height, the only witness being a child of tender years. Had he succeeded in killing his wife the happening would undoubtedly have been credited to accident. Fortunately the woman was not seriously hurt. The obtaining of corroboration of the wife's statement and the preparation of the case reflected great credit on the police officers concerned, and was the subject of favourable comment from the Judge and the Crown Solicitor. Save that a few of the younger members of the Force had to be fined for minor breaches of the regulations, the conduct of the non-commissioned officers and constables (including the Detective Branch) has been good. The prosperity of the district has been well maintained, and the population is still steadily increasing. Inspector Willis, Timaeu District. The strength of the Force at this station on the 31st March last was forty, being the same as last year. During the year one detective retired from the Force as medically unfit, and one constable resigned. The number of offences reported during the year ended 31st December last was 772, as against 854 for the previous year, being a decrease of 82. The figures do not call for any special comment beyond the fact that offences of a bestial nature and indecency were responsible for the principal increases, whilst theft (undescribed) and drunkenness accounted for the principal decreases. There were no crimes of a very serious nature reported during the year. The conduct of members of the Force has been uniformly good, with one or two exceptions, which were dealt with under the regulations. The population of the district continues to steadily increase, and a lot of building—both residential and business premises—is going on. The several amendments of the Police Offences Act of last session are working very well, and have already proved to be of much assistance to the police in the carrying-out of their duties. The Motorvehicles Act supplies the police with much-needed authority for controlling this very important traffic, but the Act has not been sufficiently long in operation to enable a definite opinion to be formed on its working. Superintendent Norwood, Dunedin District. The authorized strength of the Force in the district on the 31st March, 1925, was one Superintendent, one Sub-Inspector, one Senior Sergeant, eleven sergeants, eighty constables, one Chief Detective, five detectives, three acting-detectives, two matrons, and one surgeon, there being an increase of one detective in view of the approaching Exhibition. No new station was opened and no station closed during the year. The casualties were two deaths (two constables from ordinary illness) and three constables voluntarily resigned. The total number of offences reported was 1,326, as against 1,267 for the previous year, an increase of 59 cases ; and 1,208 prosecutions resulted. With the exception of one charge of murder, in which the accused was found guilty of manslaughter, there have been no crimes of so serious a nature as to call for special mention. The staff have done good work in the detection of same. The conduct of the police in the Dunedin District has been satisfactory, all ranks are working harmoniously in the discharge of their duties. Inspector Bird, Invercargill District. The strength of the Force on the 31st March last was one Inspector, one Senior Sergeant, one detective-sergeant, three sergeants, thirty-nine constables, one female searcher, and one surgeon. Two additional constables are required for the better policing of the town, and to take the place of one who is now exclusively employed in dealing with the Arms Act and one who is employed in the Detective Branch. The casualties during the year were one Inspector retired medically unfit; one constable retired on superannuation ; two constables resigned voluntarily ; and one constable died from injuries received while on duty, caused by colliding with an express train at a level-crossing while riding his motor-cycle. The total number of offences reported during the year ended 31st December, 1924, was 940, as against 835 for the year 1923, being an increase of 105. There has been no serious crime. The conduct of all ranks in this district has been good, only one constable being dealt with for a minor breach of regulations. The population of the district is steadily increasing ; building is going on, and the suburbs are spreading out. There are practically no unemployed.