H.—l6.

On the uniform side, covering the whole district, awkward hours between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. have had to be worked, and this has been done without complaint, all recognizing the necessity for such duties during the war period. As the war extends it will be necessary to strengthen the Force from time to time, and an increase of ten men can readily be absorbed at the Central Station at the present. In the districts of Fendalton, Papanui, and St. Albans, there are six shopping areas which have no protection from 2 a.m. I recommend that a. senior sergeant be placed in charge of St. Albans, with an addition of one man to the strength, and that he controls Fendalton, Papanui, and St. Albans. The extra man would enable him to carry out three shifts, thus covering the shopping areas from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. I have no legal recommendation to make. The various suburban and district stations have been visited by me throughout the year. Inspector Flanagan, Timaru District. The strength of the Force in the district on the 31st March, 1941, was 52, this being the authorized strength. The new station and offices at Waimate were completed at the end of April, 1940. The following buildings are under construction in this district: New constable's residence at Waimate ; new police office and residence at Glenavy; new police offices, lock-up, and constable's residence at Temuka. The total number of offences reported for the year ended 31st December, 1940, was 790, as compared with 965 for the previous year, a decrease of 175. Arrests or summonses resulted in 742 cases. The principal increases were in respect of offences relating to false pretences, mischief, in possession of liquor in vicinity of dance-hall, failing to maintain wife or children, and breaches of the Motor-vehicles Act. The most notable decreases were false statements and declarations, assault, theft, theft from dwellings, house or shop breaking, breaches of the peace, unlawfully using horses and motor-cars, &c., found on licensed premises after hours, being intoxicated in charge of motor-vehicles, and reckless or negligent driving. The only crime of a serious nature to report is that on the 13th October, 1940, a meeting of Jehovah's Witnesses was being held in the Oddfellows Hall, Oamaru. A resident of Oamaru attempted to enter the hall to stop this meeting. He had in his possession a loaded -303 calibre service rifle with bayonet attached. He was prevented by doorkeepers, and during the struggle that eventuated the rifle was accidentally discharged and a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses was shot in the right thigh, and owing to the severe injury suffered, his leg was amputated. The accused was committed for trial on the charge of attempted murder. At the Supreme Court, Dunedin, the jury returned a verdict of " not guilty " on the charge of attempted murder, but " guilty " of assault, a minor count of the indictment. The general conduct of the police in this district during the year has been very satisfactory, and their duties have been performed in an efficient and satisfactory manner. Superintendent O'Hara, Dunedin District. On the 31st March, 1941, the actual strength for the district was 126, being an increase of seven over the total strength compared with 1940, this increase being necessary owing to extra duty being performed on wharves at Dunedin and Port Chalmers. New buildings (residence and offices) have been erected at Port Chalmers, while the building of new offices has been commenced at South Dunedin. The annual offences return for the year 1940 disclosed that 2,663 offences were reported, as against 3,289 for the previous year, being a decrease of 626 offences. Of the number reported, 2,589 persons were arrested or summoned, leaving 74 undetected offences. Of the persons charged, 63 were committed for trial or sentence, and of these, 59 persons were convicted. The principal increases include the following : Theft from dwellings, inciting violence, disorder, &c., unlawfully using motor-cars, &c., in possession of liquor in vicinity of dance-halls, and breaches of Arms Act. The principal decreases included the following : Assault, theft, house or shop breaking, receiving property dishonestly, mischief, breach of the peace, drunkenness, vagrancy, failing to maintain wives, &c., breaches of prohibition orders, intoxicated while in charge of motor-vehicles, negligent or reckless driving, other breaches of Motor-vehicles Act. The increases and decreases are probably just ordinary fluctuations which occur from year to year. There were no serious crimes reported during the year. The general conduct of the police has been good during the year. All members of the Force have taken a keen interest in their work, which has been well performed. Three constables were dealt with for breaches of the regulations —one constable was dismissed, while fines were inflicted against the others. Inspector Gibson, Invercargill District. The actual strength of the Force in this district on the 31st March, 1941, totalled fifty-five, which represents an increase of three on the previous year caused by the replacement of one constable and two extra constables transferred to Bluff for the protection of overseas vessels, &c. I again recommend an increase of an additional constable at Gore, as this increase is urgently required for relieving duties and when sickness occurs. The offences return for the year ended 31st December, 1940, disclosed a total of 1,144, this being an increase of 37 on the previous year. Of the total offences, prosecutions were taken in 1,107 oases. The principal increases were breaches of the Motor-vehicles Act, breaches of the Bankruptcy Act, mischief, and house and shop breaking and entering. The chief decreases were false pretences, carnally knowing girls under sixteen years, and indecent acts. There were 86 convictions for breaches of the Statutes Amendment Act (drinking liquor in the vicinity of dance-halls). These prosecutions have been the means of a great improvement in the conduct of young persons frequenting functions of this nature. There were decreases in drunkenness. There has been no serious crime of a particular nature during the year. The conduct of the members of the Force during the year has been good. Two members were dealt with and fined for breaches of the Police Regulations.

3—II, 16.

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