H.-2

XVI

We find that at some stations constables are allowed a day off every fourth Sunday—a privilege not granted at other stations. It is desirable that uniformity of practice should exist in regard to Sunday leave as far as possible, Police Quarters and Cells. The police-stations at Wellington, Auckland, and Invercargill require immediate attention At Auckland new barracks are about to be erected, which will provide the necessary and proper accommodation for the men; but the building used as the police-station is quite unsuitable and very inconvenient. At Wellington the accommodation is insufficient for the men and the conveniences and lavatories very deficient-the walls stained and the plaster broken At Invercargill the station-offices are so bad that they ought to be at once pulled down and a new building erected. At Oamaru there is want of more accommodation. A mess-room is much needed there, as, in consequence of this want, the constables have been boarding at hotels, which is very objectionable. The condition of the police-cells generally has been brought under our notice by several witnesses and we have personally inspected the cells at each place we have visited. The evidence of the witnesses and our observations require that we should represent the urgent need for change in the manner of treating persons held in custody in respect oi charges ot which they may not be proved guilty. The treatment of such persons contrasts very unfavourably with that of convicted criminals. It appears to be considered that, because occupants of the cells are unfortunate drunkards and outcasts, any place m which they can be safely secured is all that is required. The great majority of the cells are, when closed, little better than dark rooms, ventilated by a few perforations in the wall, without any restingplace but the floor, and from which access to proper sanitary arrangements is practically barred There is a regulation that not more than three persons are to be confined m a ceil at one time unless unavoidable, but we find that it is not a very unusual circumstance for more than the prescribed number to occupy them, and on such occasions the atmosphere becomes sickening. People arrested on Saturday who are detained until Monday suffer considerably, and women, we are informed, suffer especially. We earnestly recommend that steps be taken to provide proper ventilation and light in all police-cells; that some arrangements be carried out to give means of access to proper sanitary conveniences; that hammocks—such as are supplied to prisoners in gaols—be provided at the cells for those in a condition to use them, and a seat or bench on which to rest by day The blankets supplied for use in the cells are represented as bemg in some cases foul and infested with vermin ; they are undoubtedly thin, and the colour is well chosen to hide dirt. The rule is to have them washed " every three months—oftener if necessary. There was no evidence to prove this rule is not carried out.

PART II. Pay. The present pay in the various ranks in the Force is as follows: —

Fourth-class detectives receive 9s. 6d. per day. Constables who joined before 10th February 1887, receive 7s. per day, and Is. per day extra after ten years' service. Those who have joined since Ist April, 1895, receive pay of ,£lO a month, equivalent to 6s. Ba. per day and are required to insure at their own cost for the sum of £200, pnyable at s.xty years of ao-e or death Sergeants are paid an additional 10s. a week as house-allowance when not

*£50 per annum house-allowance.

Rank. First Class. Second Ciass. Third Class. Inspectors* Sergeants Constables Detectives £400 per annum 9s. 6d. per day 8s. 13s. 6d. ,, £350 per annum 9s. per day 7s. 6d. 12s. £300 per annum. 8s. 6d. per day. 6s. 8d. 10s. 6d. ,,