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Police Buildings, etc. The following works in connection with police-stations have been carried out during the year by the Public Works Department: — New police-stations were erected at Glive, Roslyn (Dunedin), Katikati, Little River, Mosgiel, Oturehua, and Whakatane. The new district police headquarters station at Palmerston North was completed, and contracts were let for new stations at Rotor ua and Port Chalmers, which are now nearing completion. Offices were erected at Papakura and Waitara, and lock-ups at Blenheim, Bruce Bay, and Clyde. Land for police purposes was acquired at Auckland, Piopio, and Tc Kaha, a new residence for the senior sergeant was built at Oamaru, and houses and sections were purchased for a police-station at Mount Roskill (Auckland), senior sergeant's residence at Blenheim, and residences for the Superintendent and Inspector of Police at Wellington. Repairs, renovations, and/or improvements were effected at the following stations : — Whangarei District. —Dargaville, Hikurangi, Kaikohe, Kaitaia, Kawakawa, Kohukohu, Mangonui, Ruawai, Russell, Waipu, and Whangarei. Auckland District. —Auckland Central, Avondale, Devonport, Grey Lynn, Helensville, Henderson, Huntly, Kingsland, Mercer, Mount Albert, Mount Eden (South), Mount Roskill, Newton, Otahuhu, Parnell, Ponsonby, Pukekohe, Remuera, Warkworth, Wellsford, and Whitianga. Hamilton District.—Hamilton, Katikati, Kihikihi, Matamata, Morrinsville, Ngaruawahia, Otorohanga, Paeroa, Tauranga, Te Aroha, Te Awamutu, Te Puke, Tokaanu, and Waihi. Gisborne District. —Gisborne including residences (2), Patutahi, Ruatoria, Taneatua, and Te Karaka. Napier District. —Hastings, Mohaka, Napier (residence), Taradale, Waipawa, and Waipukurau. New Plymouth District. —Fitzroy, Hawera, Kaponga, Mokau, Opunake, Stratford, Waitara, and Whangamomona. Wanganui District. —Aramoho, Mangaweka, National Park, Ohura, Raetihi, Rangaroa, and Taumaranui (residence). Palmerston North District. — Feilding, Foxton, Marton, Palmerston North, Pongaroa, and Woodville. Wellington District. — Featherston, Greytown, Kilbirnie, Mount Cook, Northland, Seatoun, Thorndon Quay, Upper Hutt, Wellington Central and Superintendent's residence, and Wellington South. Nelson District. —Motueka, Nelson (residence), Seddon, Takaka, and Wakefield. Greymouth District.—Blackball, Charleston, Cobden, Hokitika, Millerton, Wataroa, and Westport. Christchurch District, -Addington, Akaroa, Amberley, Ashburton, Belfast, Bingsland, Chatham Islands, Christchurch Central and residences (2), Culverden, Fendalton, Islington, Kaiapoi, Lower Riccarton, Lyttelton, New Brighton, Phillipstown, and Upper Riccarton. Timaru District. — Duntroon, Fairlie, Geraldine, Kurow, Pleasant Point, St. Andrew's, and Temuka. Dunedin District— Balclutha, Caversham, Clyde, Dunedin Central, Lawrence, Middlemarch, Mosgiel, North Dunedin, North-east Valley, St. Clair, St. Kilda, Waikouaiti, Waitahuna, and Woodhaugh. Invercargill District. —Bluff, Clinton, Invercargill (residence), Riverton, Waikiwi, and Winton. General. Efficiency.—Lectures have been given weekly to junior constables and fortnightly to senior constables, sergeants, and detective staff. Excellent work in connection with the Claveley murder at Kaikoura during the year resulted in the conviction of the offender for the murder of his wife. The work of the policc and scientists in this case is deserving of the highest commendation. The presiding Judge commended the police on the excellent manner in which the case was prepared. The general conduct of the police has been excellent. The utmost harmony prevails throughout the Service, and all branches co-operate in a most gratifying manner. Transport. —During the year a light truck was added to our transport service at Auckland to do rough work such as the conveyance of exhibits to and from Court, collection of bicycles and sucli like, thus saving the new van and cars from being used for such work. A new vehicle for the conveyance of prisoners is under construction for Christchurch, and a ton truck has been purchased lor special work similar to that at Auckland. Our transport in the four main cities is now very efficient and giving excellent service. At the smaller centres officers of the Department provide their own cars and are paid mileage or an annual allowance when they use these cars on official work. Should this not suffice in an emergency, cars can be hired at a moment's notice. This system has worked well and efficiently. In the country districts the Department supplies each station with a motor-garage, and the member of the Force in charge provides his own car and is paid an annual allowance for its use on official work. ... Our transport throughout the Service is to-day in an efficient state and is working very satisfactorily. _ ... Buildings. —Excellent progress was made during the year in modernizing a good, number of our old dwellings that were sound and worth improving. Those that have had attention will last for many years to come. Other similar buildings are to receive attention as time and finance permit. We have a number of very old police-stations that are not worth spending money on, as through age they are beyond the stage of repairing. It is hoped to replace them as soon as finance is available. The plans for the erection of a number of new police-stations have been completed and authority obtained to proceed with the calling of tenders. In other cases plans are in the course of preparation. Due to war conditions the preparation of plans for new buildings at some of the district headquarters has had to be curtailed. It is hoped, however, that during the current year it may be possible to proceed with one or two where the present offices are in a very bad state, and it is very trying to work under the conditions prevailing.

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