H.—2o.

The number of distinct persons dealt with was 2,376, or 355 less than during 1933. The downward trend is even more pronounced than these figures show by reason of the fact that included in the total receptions for 1934 are 70 seamen who were involved in the West Coast shipping strike and were received at Paparua Prison one evening and discharged on the recommendation of the Magistrate the next morning. Nature of Offences. Hereunder is set out a comparative table showing for several years past the number of offences classified under three main headings —offences against the person, offences against property, and miscellaneous offences (i.e., drunkenness, vagrancy, &c.). It will be observed that the total number of distinct offenders handled during 1934 was 26 per cent, less than in 1931. For convenience of reference the ratio to each 10,000 of the general population is also included in the table.

It is satisfactory to note the falling off in the number of offences against the person and against property. This is not the present experience of some of the older countries overseas. The ratio of 15-33 per 10,000 of the general population is the lowest for a great many years, and for purposes of comparison, and as an indication of the downward movement of crime in New Zealand in recent years, the figures at the end of each of the last four decades are shown hereunder : — Ratio of Prisoners Ratio of Prisoners Year. received to 10,000 of Year. received to 10,000 of General Population. General Population. 1890 .. .. .. 38-61 I 1914 .. .. ..31-05 1894 .. .. .. 29-78 | 1924 .. .. .. 17-78 1904 .. .. .. 34-27 j 1934 .. .. .. 15-33 Some critics have asserted from time to time that, in relation to the general population of the two countries, the Dominion has a prison population three or four times in excess of that of England. It is difficult to make comparisons for the reason, as has been pointed out in earlier reports, certain classes of offenders are included in the New Zealand prison statistics who are not so dealt with in England. The latest published English statistics show the ratio of prisoners as 12-1 to 10,000 of the general population, so that it will be seen that the disparity, if any, is not very wide. Nationality of Prisoners. An analysis of the receptions on a nationality basis shows a diminution of 188 in the number of New-Zealand-born (pakeha) prisoners, and a drop of 42 in respect of Maori prisoners. It'is satisfactory to note that the relatively large increase in the number of Maoris committed to prison in 1932 has not been sustained. The following is a summary for the past five years : —

Ages of Prisoners. In last year's report attention was drawn to the falling off in the amount of crime by young offenders. This condition of affairs has been maintained, as is indicated by the following table : —

2

j Offences against j Offences against ! Miscellaneous ! Total Prisoners Ratio to 10,000 ~ the Person. ' Property. ! Offences. j received. j of Population. I 1- .'■ I , 1 . ; ■ '1 ' . V1934 .. .. 155 889 1,332 2,376 15-33 1933 .. .. 196 1,048 1,487 2,731 17-75 1932 .. .. 194 1,313 1,893 3,401 22-29 1931 .. .. 216 1,155 1,832 3,203 21-29

New-Zealand- TWtUIi nnd Year. born (excluding Maoris. w . Total. Maoris). Forei § n - 1934 .. .. 1,416 211 749 2,376 1933 .. .. 1,604 253 874 2,731 1932 .. .. 1,941 316 1,144 3,401 1931 .. .. 1,779 271 1,153 3,203 1930 .. .. 1,576 184 1,104 2,864

Age Group. J 1930. j 1931. j 1932. 1933. | 1934. ' I Under 20 .. .. 164 203 222 175 120 20-25 .. .. 429 555 559 459 391 25-30 .. .. 426 488 504 403 343 30-40 .. .. 716 822 903 747 640 40 and upwards .. 1,118 1,129 1,207 937 878 Not stated .... 11 6 6 10 4 Totals .. 2,864 3,203 3,401 | 2,731 2,376