H.—l6

8

General. Owing to the growth of population and the expansion of settlement, a considerable increase in the strength of the Force is required. Apart from requests made ( by local bodies. &c. the Inspectors have recommended the following additions to their present staffs, viz. : — Auckland District .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 86 Thames District .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 Wanganui District .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Wellington District .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 Greymouth District .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 Christchurch District .. .. .. .. .. .. I Invercargill District] .. .. .. .. .. .. .. I Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 50 I am sparing no endeavour to increase the staff wherever increases are necessary, but as only a limited number of recruits can be passed through the Training Depot in the year, and as all casualties in the Force have first to be provided for, it has not been possible, with the means at my disposal, to grant all the additions asked for at present. I hope during the present year to have more recruits available for necessary additions to strength, and I am very pleased to say that the Training Depot is to be enlarged so that it will accommodate a larger number of men than hitherto. It will probably prove interesting to the public and to the Force to set out the principal recommendations made by the Royal Commissioner on the Police Force of 1909, and to show how they have been dealt with. New Regulations. —New regulations have been drafted and submitted to the various Inspectors for suggestions, but owing to the magnitude of the work it has not been possible to filially settle the regulations and issue them. It is proposed to summon a Conference of Inspectors shortly to discuss these draft regulations, and I hope they will be in force before my next report is presented. Training Depot.- —A vote has been taken for the enlargement of the depot, including provision for a gymnasium. I am arranging with the Defence authorities to detach a drill instructor to give recruits " setting-up " drill and physical training, and if this arrangement does not work satisfactorily I propose to recommend that a competent drill instructor be permanently attached to the depot. The Royal Commissioner drew attention to the need of more supervision at night over the recruits in the depot. I entirely agree with his views on this subject, but to carry out the proposal would confine the appointment of the officer in charge of the depot to an unmarried man who would live on the premises. Up to the present, the practical difficulties in the way of giving effect to his recommendation have proved insuperable. There is no reason to suppose that any irregularities due to lack of supervision have occurred in the depot. Enrolment. —Forms of application for enrolment are now supplied to every District Office ; and, in addition, every candidate is first seen by an Inspector, who reports his opinion as to the candidate's suitability for the Force. Later on I propose to extend the time spent in the depot from two to three months, but I have not yet been able to do so owing to the necessity of filling vacancies and granting applications for additional police without delay. Married men now receive 7s. 6d. a day while in the depot. Police Matters at Oamaru and Blenheim. —Both these matters have been dealt with. Police, Accommodation at Dunedin and Wellington. —The accommodation at Dunedin is admittedly inadequate, but there is little room on the present site for additions. The matter is engaging attention. At Wellington votes have been taken for additions at Lambton Quay and Mount Cook. The additions at Lambton Quay involve a complete rearrangement, and satisfactory plans have not yet been completed. The additions at Mount Cook are in hand. Thames District. —It has been deemed advisable to make no alteration in this district at present. Otago and Canterbury Districts. —The alteration of the boundaries of these districts, recommended by the Royal Commissioner, has been made. Medical Examination on Promotion. —No promotion to the rank of sergeant is now made without a medical examination. Senior Sergeants. —The rank of station sergeant has been abolished, and that of senior sergeant substituted. Headquarters Staff. —The Headquarters Staff was broken up on my taking over the duties of Commissioner, and the Head Office is now manned by civilians. Physical Training. —I attach much importance to the physical training of the Force, but time has not permitted mc to formulate a scheme of training as yet. House and Travelling Allowances. —A new scale of house and travelling allowances has been brought into operation. Sergeants now receive a house-allowance of 14s. a week instead of 10s. 6d.. and constables receive 10s. 6d. a week instead of 7s. An increased scale of travelling-allowances has also been introduced, and the question of saloon or steerage passages when travelling by sea, and firstor second-class fares when travelling by rail, has been placed on a more satisfactory footing. I believe that these concessions were well deserved, and have been much appreciated. Lamps. —A suitable pattern of electric lamp or torch for night duty cannot be obtained in NewZealand, and I am making inquiries in London. I have ascertained that the London Metropolitan Police Force uses the bull's-eye lantern : while in Melbourne the use of lanterns or lamps has been discontinued for a number of years. Pay. —I have deferred any recommendation in respect of the pay of the Force because the increase in the house and travelling allowances caused a considerable addition to the annual vote for the Police