H.—l6.

EXTRACTS FROM THE ANNUAL REPORTS OF OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF DISTRICTS. Inspector O'Hara, Whangarei District. During the year the strength of this district has been increased by one detective and two constables at Whangarei, one constable at Dargaville, and one constable at Kaitaia. A sergeant is required at Kaikohe, with a sub-district including Rawene, Ohaeawai, Kawakawa, and Russell Stations. This district is being rapidly developed, and consequently police duties are increasing. A constable is required on the northern side of the Hokianga Harbour. At present police matters in this locality receive attention from Rawene, which is situated on the southern side of the harbour. A constable should be stationed at Kamo, a growing suburb of Whangarei. Whangaroa station has been closed, and a station at Kaeo opened instead. Of the total offences reported —viz., 1,477 —1,388 were dealt with by arrest or summons. There was no serious crime committed during the year and there is no outstanding feature in the annual offences return. Decreases in offences " found on licensed premises after hours," " breaches of the peace," " forgery," " receiving property dishonestly obtained," and " theft from dwellings " are just the usual fluctuation from year to year. The increased wages received by workers during the year as compared with previous years has resulted in increased drinking, particularly by members of the Maori race. The conduct of the members of the Force in the district has been good. Superintendent Till, Auckland District. On 31st March, 1938, the strength of the Force in this district was 316. On the inauguration of the 48-hour week the authorized strength was increased by four sergeants, twenty-seven constables, three detective-sergeants, and three detectives. It is found increasingly difficult to carry on with the present strength, and I recommend an increase of twenty constables. Senior sergeants have been appointed at Devonport, Mount Eden, and Queen's Wharf Stations, and a second constable has been appointed to each of the following stations : Balmoral, Henderson, and Pukekohe, and to the Criminal Registration Branch. The total number of oflences reported was 7,739, in respect of which arrests or summonses resulted in 6,800 instances. There was a slight decrease in the number of indecent-assault and carnal-knowledge cases. There has been a marked increase in breaches of the law involving dishonesty and in the number of breaches of the Destitute Persons Act. There has also been an increase in convictions for drunkenness. The number of the more serious breaches of the Motor-vehicles Act was about the same as last year. There has been an increase in cases of reckless and negligent driving and a decrease in minor breaches of the Act. During the year there were amongst the serious crimes two cases of murder and two of attempted murder, one of rape and two of attempted rape, four cases of procuring abortion, and two cases of arson. One sergeant and six constables were dealt with for breaches of the Police Regulations. On the whole, the good conduct of the members of the Force in this district has been well maintained. Section 54 of the Police Oflences Act, 1927, is found in many cases to be inoperative on account of the matter of an " enclosed " area. Many private gardens and school-grounds fail to come within that category. There are now five motor-cars in use at this station. They are extensively used and travel many miles. It is very necessary to keep the full number in commission. Wireless equipment in night-patrol cars is essential and would greatly enhance the efficiency of that branch of the service. Inspector Lopdell, Hamilton District. On 31st March, 1937, the strength of the district was seventy-three of all ranks. There has been added during the year one detective and ten constables, making a total of eighty-four on 31st March 1938. The additions were distributed as follows : One detective and seven constables to Hamilton Station, one constable to Rotorua, one to Tauranga, and one to Te Kuiti. These increases were partly due to the introduction of the 48-hour week and partly to increased work. For future requirements I recommend that a station be established at The Mount, Tauranga. A large permanent population resides there, and during the summer and autumn months thousands of visitors and campers go there for holidays. A constable is essential during the busier part of the year, and his services can be well employed in that sub-district in the quieter times doing relieving work, &c. I recommend that a second constable be added to the strength of Putaruru Station. Sawmilling and the opening of farm-lands in the back country have made the work of the station too hard for one man. There were two men there till two years ago, when one who retired was not replaced. I recommend also an increase in the strength at Te Awamutu. The growing importance of the town and the work of the sub-district would justify its being placed under a sergeant. The town is developing rapidly both in the shopping and residential areas. I recommend that a third clerk be appointed to the District Office here, where the work is too great for two men. I further recommend for consideration the appointment of a Sub-Inspector at Hamilton to free the Inspector for closer personal contact with the constables of the district and to assist them.

2—H. 16.

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