H.—l6

8

Owing to the continued growth of the population, especially as regards the City and Suburbs of Wellington and Auckland, a further augmentation of at least 40 men will be necessary during the current year. I have therefore recommended an increase accordingly. Inspectors' Reports. Extracts from the annual reports of the Inspectors in charge of districts are hereto annexed. I have, &c, W. Dinnie, Commissioner of Police.

BXTEACTS FROM ANNUAL BEPORTS OP OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF DISTRICTS. Inspector Cullen, Auckland District. The casualties in the district during the above period were : Resignations, 1 sergeant and 10 constables; dismissals, 3 constables; deaths, 1 sergeant and 1 constable ; retirement on superannuation, 1 constable. New stations have been opened at Queen's Street Wharf, Herekino, Kingsland, and Tuakau. The conduct of some of the men who came here from the depot left much to be desired, but luckily most of these undesirables have now left. The conduct of all the senior members of the Force has been most exemplary. There has been practically no increase of crime in the district during the year ; indeed, there has been a considerable decrease in crimes of housebreaking, &c. One deplorable feature connected with the persons convicted of housebreaking and theft is that a large number of these were boys and youths.

Inspector Kibly, Thames District. This district was formed on the 16th May, 1907. Since that time there has been very little crime, and nothing of a serious nature. The total number of offences in 1906 was 733, and in 1907, 783—increase, 50. The number of persons arrested for drunkenness in 1906, was 255, and in 1997, 289 —increase, 34. The strength of the police in the district on the 31st May, 1907, was 1 Inspector, 3 sergeants, 25 constables, 1 acting-detective ; on the 31st March, 1908, 1 Inspector, 3 sergeants, 27 constables, 1 detective ; being an increase of 1 constable at Rotorua, and 1 at Thames. There has been 58 prosecutions for breaches of the Licensing Act and its amendments from the Ist April, 1907, to the 31st March, 1908. Of these there were 39 convictions, and 19 discharged or withdrawn. These prosecutions were confined to Thames, no other part of the district being included. The conduct of the members of the Force in this district during the year has been satisfactory.

Inspector Macdonell, Napier District. The return of crime reported during the last year shows a slight increase on the previous year, the numbers being 2,161, as against 2,089 the previous year, an increase of 72. Of the 2,161 reported 2,095 resulted in prosecutions, leaving only 66 offences undetected. The principal increases were : Breaches of peace, 30 ; burglary, 21; disorderly and riotous conduct, 15; drunkenness, 43; obscene language, 29. The principal decreases were : Thefts, 23 ; vagrancy, 32. Drunkenness appears to be on the increase in Napier and Hastings, but on the decrease in Dannevirke, owing probably in the latter place to a considerable decrease in the number of sawmills. Thirty-five informations were laid against publicans for breaches of the Licensing Acts, resulting in 24 convictions and 11 dismissals or withdrawals. The number of fires reported during the year was 37, being a decrease of 15 on the preceding year. An important conviction for arson here recently, it is to be hoped, will tend to act as a check on such offences. The licensing laws continue to be very fairly observed in this district, especially in the Town of Napier. Referring to the conduct of the sergeants and constables in this district, I am pleased to say that, with a few exceptions, it has been good, and as a whole the men have been pretty attentive to their various duties.

Inspector Wilson, Wanganui District. The strength of the Force in this district is—l Inspector, 6 sergeants, 3 detectives, 59 constables, and 1 district constable. A new station has been formed at St. John's, in the western portion of this town. k sergeant has been placed at Taihape, and additional constables placed at Palmerston North and Wauganui,