9

H.—l6

Department. My own opinion is that the present ra.te of pay is not inadequate, but that in some of the ranks tho intervals between the regulation increments are far too long. It takes a constable sixteen years to rise from the minimum of 7s. 6d. a day to the maximum of !)s. 6d. a day. 1 think that if this period were shortened, and a email allowance made for long service and good conduct, good results would ensue. An alternative would be to fix a higher minimum and maximum rate, bul the whole question is one of money, and later on it will receive careful consideration. Inspectors' Reports. Kxtracts from the annual reports of the Inspectors in charge of districts are hereto annexed. F. Waldegrave. Commissioner of Police.

EXTRACTS FROM ANNUAL REPORTS OF OFFICERS [N CHARGE OF DISTRICTS. Inspector Cullex. Auckland District. The criminal statistics which were forwarded to you in due time show that the total number of offences reported was 6,385. being an increase of ■ < i~'2 over that of the preceding year. The casualties amongst the constables have been as follows : 2 died, 1 retired on superannuation on reaching the age-limit. I retired on superannuation as medically unfit, 5 resigned to better their positions, and 5 were called upon to resign on account of unsatisfactory conduct on their part. There were no casualties in any of the other ranks. The strength of the district has been increased by 1 sergeant and 13 constables, who have been distributed as follows : The sergeant replaced a constable in charge at Dargaville, 4 constables were posted in Auckland Station, and I each to each of the following stations : Newton, Eden Terrace, Freeman's Ray, Hamilton, Huntly. Te Kuiti. Taumarunui, Remuera, and Herekino. the constable sent to the latter place replacing a district constable there. The steady increase in population which has taken place and is still going on in the city and suburban areas us well as in the country townships makes a further augmentation to the strength nf the police necessary during the current year, as shown hereunder : — Stations. Se '- p?}- V° ,eC " Tota>geants. stables. tivee. Auckland City .. .. . . .. 1 8 2 II Queen Street Wharf .. .. .. .... 2 I 3 Ponsonby . . .. . . . . .. I 3 .. 4 Newton .. .. .. .. .... 1 .. I Eden Terrace.. . . . . . . .... I I 2 Newmarket . . . . . . . . .... I . . I Onehunga .. . . .. . . .... I .. I Otahuhu .. .. .. .. .... I .. I Pukekohe .. . . . . . . .... I .. 1 Hamilton .. .. .. .. .... 1 I 2 Huntly .. .. .. .. .. I .. .. I Cambridge . . .. . . . . .... I . . 1 Te Kuiti . . . . . . . . . . I . . . . I Taumarunui . . .. . . . . . . I . . . . I For new stations as under Richmond. Grey Lynn . . .. .... I .. 1 Mount Albert .'. . . . . .... 1 . . I Takapuna .. .. .. .... 1 .. 1 Owen's Road, Epsom .. .. .... I .. I Mount Kden Road South . . . . .... I . . I 5 26 5 36 New stations have been opened at Remueru and Maungaturoto, and the station at I'ahi, in the Maungaturoto district, has been dosed. A site and residence have been purchased at Remuera for police purposes. A site has also been purchased at Maungaturoto, where station buildings are very much needed. New stations should be opened at Richmond (Grey Lynn), Mount Albeit, Takapuna, Owen's Road (Epsom), Mount Eden Road South. Sites for stations should be secured without delay in the abovenamed localities. Sites for stations should also be secured ai Freeman's Bay. Mount Roskill. Kiugsland, Northcote, llobsonville, Ohaeawai. Houhora, Herekino, Devonport, and Huntly. at all of which places except Hobsonville the Department is paying rents for the premises occupied as police-stations. As the rank of station sergeani has m>l been a success. I beg to suggest that it be abolished altogether and that of senior sergeant substituted, and that a number of the most promising sergeants should be appointed senior sergeants, so thai suitable men can be selected from their number to take charge of the large central stations wlien vacancies occur there from time to time. The present station sergeants should, of course, retain their present senior position at the head of the list of the senior sergeants.

2—H. 16.