H.—l6.

Prosecutions against Hotelkeepers. The number o± prosecutions (177) against hotelkeepers during the year shows a decrease of 48 as compared with the preceding year. Generally speaking, hotels in the Dominion are well conducted, and licensees seem to realise that it is in their own interests to observe the law. the Number of Prosecutions against Publicans in each District during the Year 1908 as compared with 1907, the Number convicted, and the Number discharged or withdrawn.

Return showing the Number of Prosecutions against Publicans within each Principal Centre during the Year 1908, the Number convicted, and the Number discharged or withdrawn.

Sly-grog. There were 158 prosecutions during the year for sly-grog selling, resulting in 127 convictions, against 182 prosecutions and 125 convictions during the preceding year. The difficulty experienced in former years in securing evidence in sly-grog cases still obtains, and it is only by having recourse to methods which are repugnant alike to the public, the police, and those who assist the latter that the necessary evidence to warrant prosecutions can be obtained. On the whole sly-grog selling is kept well in check, but if more severe penalties were inflicted better results would ensue. The fines imposed on sly-grog sellers during the year 1908 amounted to £1,749 15s as against £1,391 2s. in 1907. ° The amounts of fines in the various districts are as follows :— £ s . <1 Auckland .. .. .. .. . . ~ 316 10 0 Thames .. .. .. .. .. .. _ 16 0 0 Napier • • ■ • • ■ • • .. .. .. 62 0 0 Wanganui .. .. .. .. .. ~ ~ 310 0 0 Wellington .. .. .. .. .. .. 160 0 0 Greymouth Christchurch .. .. .. .. ~ 335 q () Dunedin [] [\ 235 5 0 Invercargill .. .. .. .. .. ~ ~ 315 0 0 Total •■ •• •• •■ .. .. £1,749 15 0 The direct cost to the Dominion in detecting and prosecuting sly-grog sellers during the year was £921 7s. 9d., this being £828 7s. 3d. less than the amount of fines imposed. Gaming Offences. There were 213 prosecutions, resulting in 184 convictions, during the year under the gaming laws against 193 prosecutions and 142 convictions in 1907.

4

Prosecutions', 1907. Prosecutions, „ . .. 1908 Convictions. Discharged or withdrawn. Distr'ct. Auckland Thames Napier Wanganui ... Wellington ... Greymouth ... Christchurch Dunedin Inveroargill... 48 15 35 40 32 30 14 10 1 24 6 80 L3 11 45 26 23 1 5 2 18 5 5 18 10 12 L9 3 17 H 6 ■27 15 11 1 Totals ... 225 177 70 107

Centre. Prosecutions. Convictions. Discharged or withdrawn. Auckland and suburbs Wellington and suburbs ... Ohristchurch and suburbs ... Dunedin and suburbs 24 5 1 1 4 1 10 7 19 8 3 Totals 89 14 25