H.— 2

XV

In another case, a first-class constable (Cullinane) who retired on compensation was allowed to rejoin as third-class constable. The third case was that of a third-class constable (Hattie) who, after retiring on compensation, was allowed to rejoin with the loss of his long-service pay and seniority. These men have not been in a position to refund the money received as compensation, although each promised to do so, and have been allowed to remain in the Force. In all these cases the position taken up by the officer was that, as neither his former position nor pay was given him, it was not reinstatement. As in the first case mentioned, the only loss the colony suffers is the interest on the sums paid to the time these men may be again l-etired, as no second compensation can be paid. As the result of our inquiries we acquit the department of blame in respect of the case of Inspector Moore, but in the other two cases we consider too great indulgence has been shown • and in future repayment of the compensation—in full, if the reappointment be to former rank, or in part, if to an inferior one—should be antecedent to the reappointment. Hours of Duty. The day is divided for street duty into the following reliefs : From 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Men on duty from 5 to 9 a.m. go on again from 1 to 5 p.m. ; those on from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. are on duty again from sto 9 p.m. The night-duty men who come off at 5 a.m. do not go on again until 9 p.m., but have to attend the Court sittings during the day as required. The night-duty relief of eight hours is long and wearying work. To keep the men up to their duty sergeants are appointed in the cities to visit them at intervals during the night, but in the country towns there is practically no supervision. We have examined witnesses with a view to ascertaining if there is any plan by which the eight hours' night duty might be shortened, but without success. In order to secure the night duty being efficiently done it is necessary that the sergeants should be sufficient in number, and vigilant and earnest in the discharge of their duty. It is desirable to introduce a regulation forbidding all members of the Force, and especially detectives, to give unauthorised information relating to police matters to the Press. Any information to be given to the Press should be given by the officer in charge of the station, and no one else. Relieving Allowance. Some dissatisfaction exists in the Force in respect o? the travelling-allowance made to constables on relief duty. Formerly, under Regulation 239, they were paid their actual expenses ; but that regulation has been altered, and single men now receive Is. 6d. per day, and married men 3s. They complain that, after allowing for the ordinary cost of their mess, they have to pay more than they receive. We have no doubt this is so, and recommend the allowance be made 2s. 6d. per day to both married and single. We see no reason why the allowance to married men should be more than to single men. Leave. Under the existing regulations sergeants and constables are entitled to twelve days' leave in the year, but it is not cumulative, and they complain of this. By the rules of the Force they are stationed away from the districts where their friends reside, and have usually long distances to travel to visit them, so that in many eases the greater part of their leave is spent in transit. The relatives of many of the men reside in Australia, and a visit to them is impossible with the leave now granted. It should be optional with the constable whether the leave should be taken annually or allowed to accumulate for a reasonable time. We recommend that the annual leave be fourteen days, and that it be cumulative up to twenty-eight days in two years; and in the case of those wishing to visit Australia, by permission, to six weeks in three years. This alteration would not cause extra cost to the department, but effect a saving. When a constable goes on leave and his place is filled by one from elsewhere, the travelling-expenses of the relieving constable are paid by the department, and the fewer the occasions of such relief the less the expense to the department.