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Inspector Fitzpatrick, Napier District. On the 31st March last the authorized strength of the Force in this district was sixty, being an increase of two, due to the appointment of a detective sergeant and a constable at Hastings. The additional appointments have filled a long-felt want. I would recommend the increase of a second constable at Waipukurau, owing to the size of the town and business area, and that large stock sales are held weekly. Very often the officer in charge is absent from the town engaged on country inquiries, and the town is left without police protection. There is sufficient work for two constables at Waipukurau. For the year ending 31st December, 1936, the total number of offences reported was 1,673, an increase on the previous year of 234. The principal increases were house or shop breaking, &c., drunkenness, selling liquor at unauthorized times, found on licensed premises after closing-hours, being intoxicated in charge of a motor-vehicle, and other breaches of Motor-vehicles Act. The principal decreases were theft, receiving property dishonestly obtained, forgery, mischief, and breaches of the peace. The increase in offences relating to house or shop breaking, &c., were due to the activity of three separate gangs of criminals, who were all arrested and are now serving various terms of imprisonment for their respective crimes. In respect to offences relating to drunkenness, being on licensed premises after closing-hours, and selling at unauthorized times, the increase no doubt is due to the fact that there is more money in circulation than formerly. The principal offences committed under the Motor-vehicles Act, I submit, were solely caused by careless driving. The only serious crime committed in the district during the year was that which led to the arrest of a woman on seven charges of having used an instrument with intent to procure a miscarriage in each case. After the fourth trial, in which the jury again failed to agree, the Crowil filed a stay of proceedings. With the exception of two constables who were dismissed and one constable who voluntarily resigned, 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 ending 1936 shows a total of all offences committed to be 1,401, compared with 1,295 offences for the previous year, being an increase of 106 offences. Of the number reported, 1,358 were accounted for by arrest or summons, equal to 96-93 per cent. The principal increases in crime are theft and offences under the Motor-vehicles Act. The conduct of the police has been very good during the year. It was not necessary to deal with any member of the Force for breaches of the regulations. The duties have been performed in a satisfactory manner ; the uniform and detective branches of the Service have worked harmoniously together. In my last report I drew attention to the necessity of increasing the strength of the Force by four constables and one detective at New Plymouth, an extra constable at Hawera, and at Waitara. The strength of New Plymouth has been increased by an extra detective sergeant and Waitara by an extra constable. I would again draw attention to the necessity of the extra help asked for at New Plymouth and at Hawera. < I also have to ask for an increase of staff at Moturoa by an extra constable. The amount of duty performed by the present constable there at the wharf attending to shipping does not give him much time to attend to other matters in his subdistrict. Inspector Lander, Wanganui District. I consider that the time has arrived when the strength should be increased. One additional constable is urgently required at Taumarunui, one at Patea, and two at Wanganui. An additional sergeant and detective at Wanganui could also be kept fully employed. The reason for the suggested increase at Taumarunui and Patea is on account of the increase of population in both towns and general necessity for maintaining a more constant street patrol. In Wanganui City the increase is required to cope with the many extra duties now requiring attention. Owing to the incidence of sickness and the working-off of annual leave I find that the present strength is at times dangerously low. The appointment of an additional motor-patrol constable would, I consider, give much needed relief and would provide a mobile unit that could be fully and effectively employed. It is a vital necessity now to provide a more effective patrol of country roads. The other additional constable asked for would be detailed for beat duty. The offences return for the year ended 31st December, 1936, shows a total of 1,204 offences reported, as compared with 1,180 for the previous year, an increase of 24. Of the total reported 1,129 were accounted for by arrest or summons. The principal increases were assault, drunkenness, failing to maintain wives and children, selling or supplying liquor at unauthorized times, found on licensed premises after closing-hours, and reckless or negligent driving. The principal decreases were indecent assault, theft, false pretences, and house or shop breaking. The increase in drunkenness may be ascribed to one effect of improved conditions, drunkards being in possession of more money. The decreases in offences of acts of dishonesty is a satisfactory feature of the return. This probably is caused also by the improved conditions in the community generally.

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