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Buildings. —During the year good progress was made in modernizing and improving old buildings throughout the Dominion. Only those that were sound and worth alterations were attended to. There is a good number still requiring attention, and these will be dealt with as time and finance permit. Many of the old residences were past repair ;• in fact, were tumbling down with dry rot and decay. Several of these were replaced by new modern residences during the year. The new district headquarters station at Palmerston North is nearing completion, and should be ready for occupation in about three months' time. New stations are also in course of erection at Katikati, Wbakatane, Mosgiel, and Oamaru (senior sergeant's residence). Erection of new buildings at Rotorua, Port Chalmers, Oturehua, Little River, Levin, Clive, Omakau, St. Heliers Bay, and Papakura has been authorized, and in many cases tenders have been called for the work. A new headquarters station is badly required at Whangarei, where an old four-roomed cottage is at present doing service as a station. Additional land has been acquired there at a cost of £1,050 to permit of building a suitable suite of offices. At Auckland additional land had to be acquired in order to give reasonable space to build upon. The acquiring of the necessary land has been somewhat protracted, but has now been sufficiently advanced to permit of proceeding with the preparation of sketch-plans. Satisfactory arrangements have been made to provide improved accommodation for the single men until the plans and specifications for the new building have been completed and ready for the calling of tenders. At Wanganui, where new district headquarters offices are required, difficulty is being experienced in obtaining a foundation on. our present site, which is a good one, owing to the sand bottom. This is holding up the preparation of sketch plans. At New Plymouth additional land adjoining the present site has been secured at a cost of £625 to provide the necessary land on which to erect new offices in the near future. At Nelson additional land had also to be obtained, and some little difficulty has arisen in negotiating with one owner, but it is nearing completion. When this is done the sketch-plans can be got ready. Tlie offices and general accommodation at Greymouth are bad. Sketch-plans are now in course of preparation. Sketch-plans are practically completed for new buildings at Timaru. The accommodation there is also bad, but not so bad as at Greymouth. The position in respect of accommodation at Dunedin is difficult, and a great amount of consideration has been given to sketch-plans for the proposed new buildings. However, it is hoped soon to have a complete plan ready which will meet requirements. Police Examinations. —The new regulations governing the police examinations were put into effect for the first time last year. The provision for granting a partial pass is greatly appreciated by candidates. A record number sat for the examination. Training-school.—The training-school has been kept at top speed during the year. As only thirty trainees can be accommodated at one time we have been little more than able to keep existing vacancies filled. Although authority was granted last year for an increase of twenty-five men to the Force, we have not been able to train that number in addition to those required to fill vacancies. Unfortunately, we have had a larger number of deaths during the past year than is usual. In all cases death was due to natural causes. There has also been a number of retirements and resignations. An excellent class of recruit is offering, and no difficulty is experienced in filling vacancies ; in fact, far more candidates are offering than we have vacancies. This gives the opportunity of making a good selection. Candidates are selected from all classes of professions and vocations in life, with credentials from the University down to the Sixth Standard. Men of good physique, personality, education, and possessing sound common-sense are the candidates aimed at in selecting recruits for training. The conditions in the Service are so attractive to-day that no difficulty is experienced in getting the best class of recruit. Women-police. — Provision was made last session for the inauguration of Women Police. Applications are now being received and considered. Additions to Staff. —During the year the authorized strength of the Force was increased by 9 sergeants, 1 detective-sergeant, and 6 constables. These were distributed as follows : 4 Sergeants at Auckland, lat Marton, lat Pahiatua, lat Wellington, lat Christchurch, and 1 a,t Bluff; I detective-sergeant at Lower Hutt; and 1 constable each at Whangarei, Otahuhu, Parnell, Hawera, Taihape, and Northland. To fill vacancies due to retirements, &c., and increases of strength, the following promotions were made : Seven to commissioned rank, three to grade of senior-sergeant, one to grade of seniordetective, nine to rank of sergeant, and six to rank of detective-sergeant. In view of the fact that the Centennial Exhibition is to be opened in November next and is to continue for six months, and this is to be followed by the visit of Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Kent, additional police will be required to deal with the extra work that will be thrown upon this Department. To cope with this work and supply extra men for some of the districts where there are not sufficient men to meet the calls made on the police I consider that provision should be made for thirty additional constables. The cost for this financial year will be approximately £4,800. Extracts from reports of officers in charge of districts are appended. D. J. Cummin GS, Commissioner of Police.

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