H.—2B

6

In conclusion, I have to report that this district is fast increasing in population and importance, the work of settlement is making good progress, and the district throughout is in a fairly prosperous condition.

Inspectoe P. Pender, Wellington and Maelboeough. In compliance with circular, No. 8/95, of the 6th instant, I have the honour to submit the following report upon the Wellington Police District for the year ending 31st of March last : — New stations have been opened at Mount Cook and Makuri during the year, and the Levin Station closed. Ashurst, Feilding, Foxton, Palmerston North, and Terrace End Stations have been added to this district from the New Plymouth district, making a total of thirty stations. The casualties during the year have been : Discharged for misconduct, 1 ; discharged on compensation, 4 ; death, 1. The conduct of the men throughout the district has, with few exceptions, been good, and punishments rare ; a considerable number have been rewarded, and several promoted. As recommended in my last annual report, a library has been established and furnished at the Central Station, and has, as I anticipated, proved a great benefit and convenience to the men, who are now to be found about the station more than formerly. I beg to again refer to the question of providing quarters for married constables at a reasonable rent, a convenient distance from the Central Station. The high rents in Wellington, and the long distances the men have to walk to their duty, are a constant source of dissatisfaction. The Offences Return already furnished to your office shows a total increase over last return of 230 offences, being 3,310 last year, as compared with 3,080 the previous year. The increase is most noticeable as regards thefts and such-like offences. This is no doubt attributable to the increased number of the floating criminal class, who come here attracted by the comparative prosperity of the city. Another three or four constables are required at the Central Station to properly cope with the work, which is increasing daily ; what with escorting prisoners, sending extra men to assist at upcountry townships (especially Palmerston North), and other calls, such as relieving men on leave and sick', this station is seldom within seven or eight men of its nominal strength. Inspectoe F. McGoveen, Nelson and Westland. The strength of the district is as follows—viz. : One Inspector, five sergeants, thirty-one constables, and two district constables, being a decrease of one sergeant and two constables since the 31st March, 1894. There is at present a vacancy for one' constable at Greymouth, and another constable will also be required for Mokihinui Station as soon as the quarters now in course of erection are finished and the station opened. During the year the following changes have been effected—viz. : Transfers, Constable W. Smith from Levin to Greymouth, Constable H. Beattie from Picton to Brunnerton ; death, 1; resignation, 1; discharge on compensation, 1 ; dismissals, 2. The horse " Nelson," of Greymouth Station, having been found unfit for further service, has been sold, and a fresh horse purchased. The number of police-stations remains the same as on the 31st March, 1894. There has been a slight increase in the number of minor offences as compared with last year. The ravages of the " fire fiend " in Nelson have, I am happy to be able to report, ceased, for, since the arrest and conviction of an offender, no fires of a suspicious character have occurred, and the police engaged in the case deserve credit for the manner in which they collected evidence and brought the offender to justice. In October last a serious tragedy took place at the Tophouse, two men being murdered, and the murderer committing suicide before the police had time to reach the scene. With this exception, the district has been remarkably free from crimes of a very serious nature. In June, 1894, an illicit still, fitted up with all appliances requisite for the distillation of whiskey, was unearthed in the bush a few miles from Reefton; but, unfortunately, the police have been unable to collect sufficient evidence to justify a prosecution, and the parties principally interested have escaped with the loss of their plant and stock. The police-buildings throughout the district are in fair conditi6n, sundry slight repairs having been effected as required. The quarters for the police at Hokitika, with one exception, have been removed and thoroughly renovated ; and I trust the necessary work requiring completion will soon be taken in hand. The work in connection with the station-buildings at Mokihinui will shortly be completed. During the year nine constables proceeded to Wellington for the purpose of undergoing a course of gun-drill. The conduct of the members of the Force stationed in this district has, with one or two exceptions, been creditable, and the numerous additional duties have been carried out satisfactorily.

Inspectoe T. Beoham, Cantebbuey and Noeth Otago. The return of crime for the year ended the 31st December, 1894, forwarded to your office on the 18th March last, shows that during the year 2,573 offences of various kinds were reported to the police, and 2,387 persons were arrested or otherwise proceeded against; while, for the year 1893, 2,654 offences were reported, and 2,487 persons were proceeded against. It thus appears that the total number of offences reported last year was less by eighty-one than the number reported in 1893. A reduction of 232 has taken place in the number of arrests for drunkenness.