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New Buildings in Course of Erection. Christchurch ... Quarters. Kihikihi ... ... Station. „ ... Barracks. Kimbolton ... Lock-up and office. Karangahake ... Station. Nelson ... ... Station. Additions, Repairs, do. Blenheim ... ... Fencing. Timaru ... ~. Alterations, &c. Martinborough ... Improvements. Waipiro ... ... Additions. Napier (Carlyle Street) „ Wairoa ... ... Improvements. Oxford ... ... „ Wellington (Lamb- Additional story, &c. Eotorua ... ... „ ton Quay) Tauranga ... ... Additions. Whakatane ... Additions. Additions, Repairs, &c, in Hand. Feilding ... ... Drainage. South Dunedin ... Office. Ingle wood ... ... „ Waihi ... ... „ Invercargill ... Additions. Properties acquired. Aramoho ... ... Station. Masterton ... Office. Birkenhead... ... „ Methven ... ... Station. Collingwood ... Site. Wellington South ... Site. Legal. Habitual Criminals. The Habitual Criminals Act of last year has already been applied in several cases, and should prove a most effective deterrent to crime if properly administered. Juvenile Offenders. " The Juvenile Offenders Act, 1906," which provides for special treatment by Magistrates of offenders under the age of sixteen years, is being applied with satisfactory results, and is unquestionably a judicious step in the direction of preventing juveniles from becoming habitual criminals. " The Licensing Act Amendment Act, 1904." This Act is working most satisfactorily, and has checked drinking during prohibited hours to a considerable extent, the result being that hotels are better conducted now than heretofore, and drunkenness is minimised. " The Police Provident Fund Act, 1899." In view of the satisfactory state of this fund, which on the 31st March last shows a credit balance of £29,126 Is. 3d., and the fact that the sum of £17,159 Bs. lid. has been saved in the way of compassionate-allowances since its inauguration, I consider, as stated in my last report, the time has arrived for removing some of the disadvantages now apparent in the working of the Act. Allowances to Widows and Children. —At present no provision is made for widows and children of deceased contributors whose deaths occur from natural causes whilst in the service, and they have to look to the Government for assistance. Provision should be made to meet such cases. Dismissals and Resignations. —lf members are dismissed from the service the Act provides that the Board may grant the return of half their contributions, and if they resign voluntarily, having under ten years' or over twenty-five years' service, no return of their contributions can be granted. In all such cases provision should be made for the return of the whole of the sum contributed. Computation of Pensions. —Under the Act a pension is computed on the rate of pay drawn at time of retirement, or if promoted within five years of retirement on the average pay drawn during the preceding seven years ; but no provision is made for averaging the allowance for members reduced. The same provision should apply to reduction as to promotion. The Eailway Superannuation Fund Act provides for the advantages herein sought. Miscellaneous. Police Instruction Classes. The formation in August last year of weekly police instruction classes in the four centres has thus far proved satisfactory, and must have beneficial results. The first annual examination, which consisted of a selection of subjects from the Police Acts, Police Eegulations, and police duties generally, was held in January last. Thirty-seven members offered themselves for examination :17 passed and 20 failed. On the whole, the examinations showed that the members examined possessed a considerable knowledge of the subjects referred to. First Aid to the Injured. During the year ended March, 1907, 77 probationers presented themselves, at the conclusion of their course of training at the depot, for examination in " first aid to the injured," the examinations being held under the auspices of the St. John Ambulance Association. Of the 77 men who sat, 73 passed and 4 failed. The highest number of marks gained was 94, the average of those who passed being 74-22. (Maximum, 100 ; bare pass, 50.) The lecturer was in each case Dr. Henry, Police Surgeon, and the examiners different medical men appointed by the Association.

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