H.—l6.

Inspector Martin, Gisborne District. During the year the police-station at Motu was closed and a new station opened at Matawai, this change being brought about through the main highway now branching off at Matawai, consequently Motu is now eight miles distant from the main Gisborne-Opotiki Eoad. The time has arrived when the police-station at Port Awanui should be closed and a new one opened at Tikitiki, as Port Awanui is now well off the main highway, and Tikitiki is the main centre in that police sub-district. The building of a new police-station at Tikitiki has already been commenced. The offences return for the year ended 31st December, 1934, showed a total of 983 offences reported, as compared with 904 in the previous year, an increase of 79. Arrests or summonses resulted in 888 cases, leaving 95 undetected. Of the cases dealt with, 41 were committed for trial or sentence, of which 37 were convicted. The most noticeable increases were carnally knowing girls under 16 years, thefts (petty), theft of animals, false pretences, vagrancy, unlawfully using horses, motor-cars, &c, and failing to maintain wife or children. The most noticeable decreases were disorderly behaviour and breach of the peace, selling or supplying liquor at unauthorized times, breaches of prohibition orders, found on licensed premises after closing-hours, and breaches of Motor-vehicles Act. The district has been free from crime of a very serious nature during the year, with the exception of three murders. In the first instance a Maori woman left her husband and lived with another man. The husband subsequently took his wife away, and the other man followed them when he found the woman had deserted him. He borrowed a shotgun and some cartridges, overtook them, and shot the husband dead. He then shot the woman dead, afterwards committing suicide by hanging himself. Both men were also Maoris. In another case a man and his wife (both Maoris) were heard to be quarrelling in their bedroom. A relative entered the room through a window and found that the husband had murdered his wife with a butchers' knife, and then committted suicide by cutting his throat. Inquiries showed that the husband was in a state of depression for some time prior to the murder, and that he was of unsound mind at the time he committed the offence. There is still a fair amount of crime committed by the Natives in the backblocks of the East Coast, the principal offences being theft and mischief. However, a number of these offenders have been arrested and dealt with. The general conduct of all members of the Force has been good during the year, and efficiency has been maintained. There were two defaulters who were dealt with and fined for minor breaches of the regulations. Inspector Fitzpatrick, Napier District. For the year ended 31st December, 1934, the total number of offences reported was 1,665, a decrease on the previous year of 220. Of the 1,665 reported, 1,537 were accounted for by arrest or summons. The principal decreases were assault, theft, house or shop breaking, failing to maintain wife or children, selling or supplying liquor at unauthorized times, breaches of prohibition orders, and breaches of the Arms Act. The principal increases were indecent assault, false pretences, and Sunday trading. The decrease in offences relating to house and shop breaking and theft is due to the fact that a gang of juveniles were responsible for such offences during the previous year. The increase in offences relating to indecent assault was due to a number of boys attending a Native school, committing such offences on girls attending the same school. They were dealt with in the Children's Court. With the exception of one constable being convicted for breaches of the Police Regulations, the conduct of the members of the Force has been excellent, and a high standard of efficiency maintained. Inspector Powell, New Plymouth District. The offences return for the year ended December, 1934, shows a total of all offences committed to be 1,185, compared with 1,158 for the previous twelve months, being an increase of 27 offences. Of the number reported 1,113 were accounted for by arrest or summons, equal to 93-93 per cent. No crimes committed during the year call for special mention. The conduct of the Police during the past twelve months has been good and the duties have been performed in a satisfactory manner. Inspector Lander, Wanganui District. The offences return for the year ended 31st December, 1934, shows a total number of all offences reported to be 1,159 compared with 1,376 for the previous year, a decrease of 217. Of the total reported, 996 were accounted for by arrest or summons. The principal decreases were in theft, false pretences, house or shop breaking, mischief, breach of the peace, and failing to maintain wives and children. The decrease in thefts and house and shop breaking is a satisfactory feature. It may be that it is an indication of improving times. The decrease in mischief can be accounted for in that a gang of hoodlums who committed many offences were brought to justice towards the end of 1933. With the exception of a series of incest charges which originated among the members of one family at Ohakune, there was no serious crime reported during the year. The conduct of the Police in the district during the year was good. Three constables were, however, fined for breaches of Regulations.

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