H.—l6.

The following return shows the number of offences reported in each police district during the year, the number of cases in which arrests or summonses resulted, and the number in which no prosecution followed : —

The percentage of arrests or summonses resulting from offences reported during the year 1936 was 93-24, the figures of the preceding year being 92-26. Serious Crimes. The following is a return of the number of serious crimes as compared with the previous year : —

Eight deaths occurred as a result of murder, being 3 less than in the previous year. Of the offenders, 4 were arrested, 1 committed suicide, and in one case no arrest was made despite long and diligent investigation. Of the 4 arrested, 3 were committed for trial, and the charge against the other was dismissed by a Magistrate. Of the 3 committed for trial, all were acquitted, but one whose acquittal was on the grounds of insanity was ordered to be detained in a mental hospital. Indecent and sexual offences were as under :—

2

Number o£ Offences Number in which P V • TV t ' t Number of in which Arrests no Arrests o ice is nc . Offences reported. or Summonses or Summonses resulted. resulted. Whangarei.. .. .. .. .. 1,413 1,351 62 Auckland 7,262 6,572 690 Hamilton .. .. .. .. .. 2,870 2,641 229 Gisborne .. .. .. .. .. 1,171 1,113 58 Napier 1,673 1,648 25 New Plymouth 1,401 1,358 43 Wanganui 1,204 1,129 75 Palmerston North .. .. .. .. 1,464 1,369 95 Wellington 6,266 5,928 338 Nelson .. .. .. .. .. 788 733 55 Greymouth .. .. . . .. 997 917 80 Christchiirch .. .. .. .. 4,177 3,800 377 Timaru .. .. .. .. .. 678 606 , 72 Dunedin .. .. .. .. .. 2,951 2,836 j 115 Invercargill .. .. .. .. 1,133 1,051 ; 82 Totals .. .. .. .. 35,448 j 33,052 | 2,396

1935. 1936. Crimes - Number of mber of Number of dumber of Offences °?f, ces m + Offences Offences „4.~a which Arrests , , which Arrests reported. resulted _ reported. reaulted , I Arson .. .. .. . . . . . . 25 21 15 14 Robbery and aggravated robbery .... . . 7 2 9 8 Burglary, breaking into shops, dwellings, &c. .. 1,325 938 1,063 774 Forgery and uttering .. .. .. .. 190 178 104 92 Murder .. .. . . . . ... 11 6 8 4 Murder, attempted .. .. .. .. 6 6 5 4 Rape .. .. .. .. .. .. 13 13 Receiving stolen property .. . . . . 215 215 166 166 Wounding with intent .. .. .. . . .. .. 2 2 Totals .. .. .. .. 1,792 1,379 1,372 1,064

Offences. 1935. j 1936. , I Unnatural offence . . .. . . . . . . 7 16 Unnatural offence, attempted .. . . . . . . I 8 Indecently assaulting a male . . . . . . .. 47 i 66 Incest .. .. . . .. .. .. 21 13 Indecent acts .. . . . . .. . . 32 11 Concealment of birth .. . . .. . . . . 1 3 Assault, indecent .. .. .. .. . . j 130 133 Rape .. . . .. .. . . . . 13 Rape, attempted .. . . . . . . . . 7 5 Carnally knowing girls .. .. . . . . 86 74 Carnally knowing girls, attempted .. . . . . 14 17 Abortion, procuring, &c. .. . . . . . . 18 11 Exposure of person and grossly indecent acts .. . 166 202 Totals .. .. .. .. .. I 543 559