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Inspector E. J. Gillies : Wanganui and West Coast. A number of the police in this district are discharging the duties of Clerks of Court, bailiffs, and various outside appointments, and I would like to point out that the greater portion of a constable's time is so employed at Feilding, Stratford, and Patea Police-stations, and if the constables at these stations are not soon relieved of these duties, I anticipate it will be found necessary in the near future to increase the number of police at these stations in order to have the police duty effectually performed. The Police Provident Fund appears to have given great satisfaction to the members of the Force in this district, and I have no doubt will cause increased energy in the discharge of their duty, as the men have now something to look forward to in declining years. I consider the conduct of the members of the Force as a whole has been good, and the numerous duties have been faithfully performed.

Inspector P. Pender : Wellington and Marlborough. The conduct of the men has been good, and punishments few. The city and suburbs of Wellington are making rapid progress, and a large number of buildings have been erected during the year. The shipping is also on the increase, and very extensive wharfage accommodation is in progress. The police arrangements at the wharf continue to give satisfaction. The present arrangements at Manners Street Station are, in my opinion, capable of improvement. I think a sergeant and at least four constables (all single men) should be stationed there. The population of the Mount Cook sub-district is increasing very fast, new houses are visible in all directions, more particularly' in the Newtown quarter. In my opinion, the Force in this extensive sub-district is not sufficient to meet the demands of the public. I think fully five more constables are required, three at Mount Cook and two at Newtown, where a night patrol should be kept up; and it is only a matter of a very short time when resident constables will be required at Brooklyn, Berhampore, Mitchelltown, and Kilbirnie. The training depot at Mount Cook has been successful, under the superintendence of Sergeants Briggs and O'Donovan, in turning out a number of good trained men during the year, and I am pleased to say has, in my opinion, filled a long-felt want. \

Sub-Inspectob E. Macdonell : Nelson and Westland. From what I have seen of the district, I am of opinion that at present the strength of it is sufficient. Should, however, the gold-dredging turn out anything like the success anticipated, there will be a considerable increase in the population. Should this eventuate, it might alter the position. I will, however, report if it does. I understand the members of the Force in this district during the past year have conducted themselves well, and have carried out their other numerous additional duties in a satisfactory manner.

Inspector J. W. Ellison : Canterbury and North Otago. I do not consider the increase in the arrests for drunkenness an indication that the habit of drinking to excess is generally increasing. It is probably accounted for by increased prosperity of the country causing a greater circulation of money, which gives the habitual tipplers more opportunities of getting liquor. A great proportion of those arrested for drunkenness appear frequently on that charge during a year ; many of them travel about the country, and appear on similar charges in several places at short intervals. A matter of great importance to the Police Force during the year was the coming into operation of the Police Provident Fund. Only one man of those who might have claimed exemption in this district remains outside the Act. It is generally felt that the fund will prove an immense benefit. Although the deductions are somewhat heavier, and the age of voluntary retiring higher than the members of the Force had hoped for when you first took the matter in hand, it is generally admitted no more favourable conditions could be obtained under the existing difficulties of establishing a Provident Fund where so many various ages and terms of past service had to be provided for.

Inspector W. S. Pardy : Dunedin, Southland, and Lakes. As to crime, the total number of offences reported during the year was 2,590, being a net increase of nine offences reported, as compared with the previous year, which shows that, upon the whole, crime is in its normal state. The conduct of the sergeants and constables and detectives during the year has been satisfactory, and they have been zealous and attentive to their duties.