5

H.—l6

Stkength and Disteibution of Foece. For above, see Appendix B. Owing to the increase of population, especially in the principal centres, the gradual opening up of the back country, the close settlement of large estates, and the increase of shipping, especially foreign-going, at the various ports, continual demands are being made for the opening of new stations or additions to existing stations, and to meet the legitimate requirements of the community I consider an augmentation of at least twenty-five constables absolutely necessary. This augmentation, if granted, would represent an increase of about Id. per head of the population per annum, and would advance the cost per head from 2s. 10|d. to 2s. 11-Jd. The cost of police in this colony would still be much less than in any of the Australian States, the lowest of which last year was South Australia, where the cost was 4s. 2-|d., and the highest Western Australia, which was iis. ioja. Cost of Police, etc. A return is herewith annexed (Appendix D) giving the proportion of police to population and the cost of police per inhabitant in each of the Australian States and in this colony. Inspectors' Eeports. Extracts from the annual reports of the Inspectors in charge of districts are hereto annexed. They call for no comment from me. Valedictoby. As I am about to sever my connection with the New Zealand Police Force, I embrace this opportunity of expressing my gratitude to the Government for being pleased to adopt practically all the recommendations made by me which I considered would be for the benefit of the Force, and to which adoption I attribute whatever measure of success may have attended my administration. I also desire to sincerely thank the officers and men of the Force for their loyalty to me and their readiness at all times during my regime to faithfully carry out their duties in enforcing a reasonable observance of the law, sometimes under very difficult and trying conditions. I have, &c, 0. B. Tunbeidge, Commissioner of Police.

EXTEACTS FEOM ANNUAL EEPOETS OF OFFICEES IN CHAEGE OF DISTEICTS. INSPECTOE J. CuLLEN, AUCKLAND, WAIKATO, AND BAY OF ISLANDS. The authorised strength of the district on the 31st March last was 132 of all ranks, but this number has never been available for duty at any one time during the year, inasmuch as there are always vacancies existing, and in addition to these vacancies there are men on sick-list, leave, escort, and relieving duty. An additional constable is required at each of the following places—viz., Ponsonby, Devonport, Karangahake, and Waihi —in addition to the twelve constables and three detectives required for Auckland City. There has been a slight decrease in the total number of offences reported during 1902 as compared with 1901; but there has been a considerable increase in the number of cases of housebreaking and burglary, which I attribute to the large number of Australian criminals who have arrived here from time to time, and the want of a sufficient number of constables and detectives to look after them. The conduct of almost all the senior members of the Force stationed in this district has been satisfactory, but some of the junior men have not conducted themselves as well as they ought. Some of the returned troopers and ex-Artillerymen have not given satisfaction in either their conduct or manner in which they discharged their duties, there being an evident desire amongst them to shirk their duties and responsibilities as much as possible. There is also a noticeable tendency on the part of some of the younger men to report themselves sick, and thereby enjoy a few days' rest, when there is really very little the matter with them. Inspectoe E. Macdonell, Napiee and East Coast Disteict. The return of crime for year ended the 31st December, 1902, shows that during that year 1,485 offences of various kinds were reported to the police, as against 1,540 reported in the year 1901, while 1,418 persons were either arrested or proceeded against by summons for various offences. Thirty informations for breaches of the licensing laws were laid during the year, resulting in only seven convictions, as against fifteen prosecutions resulting in five convictions the previous year. While on this subject I may say I never experienced greater difficulties in proving breaches of the licensing laws than in this district, and the difficulties appear to have increased since the result of the licensing poll in November last, especially where reduction was carried, and consequent serious result of indorsements on licenses. I may say the poll referred to has certainly caused an improvement in the conduct of the great majority of hotels, and much greater care is now taken by landlords in the selection of men to run their establishments. This should still further lead to an all-round improvement in the future. Perhaps I may be permitted to remark that, according to my observations in this district, in places where the licensing laws appear to be the least observed the stronger was the vote of the people for temperance, thus showing that they desire to see the licensing laws strictly adhered to.