H.—l6.

Indecent and sexual offences were as under :—

Drunkenness. There has been a decrease of 205 in the number of prosecutions for drunkenness during the year as compared with the previous year. The number charged with drunkenness in 1934 was 3,294 (3,152 males and 142 females), whereas in 1933 the number was 3,499 (3,344 males and 155 females). From the following table it will be observed that 39-07 per cent, of the males and 66-43 per cent, of the females had previous convictions recorded against them, and 2-03 per cent, of the males were not permanent residents of the Dominion.

Return showing the Number of Persons charged with Drunkenness during the Year 1934, and the Number of Previous Convictions against them, so far as is known.

Number of foregoing who were members of the crews of vessels in port, 64. The following table shows the convictions for drunkenness per ten thousand of the population for each year from 1929 to 1933 in Australia and New Zealand : — 1929. 1930. 1931. 1932. 1933. Commonwealth .. .. 89-5 73-0 58-6 60-7 67-6 New Zealand .. .. 46-3 42-4 32-1 26-7 23-3 Pbosecutions against Hotelkeepers. The number of prosecutions against hotelkeepers during the year shows an increase of 108 as compared with the preceding year. There were 654 prosecutions, resulting in 411 convictions during 1934, as against 546 prosecutions and 328 convictions in 1933. Sly-grog Selling. There were 67 prosecutions during the year for selling liquor without a license, resulting in 64 convictions, and there were also 63 prosecutions, resulting in 42 convictions, for other offences against the provisions of the Licensing Act in force in no-license districts. The fines imposed on the sly-grog sellers during the year 1934 amounted to £1,030 12s. 6d. Gaming Offences. There were 558 prosecutions, resulting in 490 convictions, during the year under the Gaming Act, against 524 prosecutions and 475 convictions in 1933. Prosecutions of Bookmakers. The following return shows the result of prosecutions in connection with bookmaking during the year ended 31st March, 1935 :—

3

Offences. 1933. 1934. Unnatural oflence .. ., ., • • • • 14 6 Unnatural oflence, attempted .. .. .. .. 4 Indecently assaulting a male .. .. . • • • 82 62 Incest .. .. • • • • 10 18 Indecent acts .. .. ■ • • • • • 25 36 Concealment of birth . . .. .. .. • • 2 2 Assault, indecent .. .. .. • ■ • • 82 96 Rape .. .. ■• •• • • • • 5 6 Rape, attempted .. .. .. .. • • 1 6 Carnally knowing girls .. .. .. • • 44 62 Carnally knowing girls, attempted .. .. .. 32 14 Abortion, procuring, &c. .. .. .. • • 5 9 Exposure of person and grossly indecent acts .. .. 196 155 Totals .. 502 472

Males. Females. Total. Not previously convicted .. .. . • 1,920 47 1,967 One previous conviction .. .. .. 328 12 340 Two previous convictions .. .. ■ • 183 16 199 Three previous convictions .. .. .. 133 8 141 Four previous convictions .. .. .. 112 .. 112 Five previous convictions .. .. .. 98 3 101 Over five previous convictions .. . • 378 56 434 Totals .. 3,152 142 3,294

Number of Number of Amount of Fines Offence. Prosecutions. Convictions. imposed. £ s. d. Carrying on business of bookmaker .. . . 35 34 835 0 0 Keeping common gaming-house .. 80 77 2,71600 Laying totalizator odds .. • • • • 9 8 92 0 0 Publishing betting-charts .. .. • • 7 5 65 0 0 Street betting .. • • • • • • H ® 0 " Totals 142 132 I 4,093 0 0