H.—l6

4

Prosecutions against Hotelkeepers. The number of prosecutions (230) against hotelkeepers during the year shows an increase of 1 as compared with the preceding year.

Return showing the Number of Prosecutions against Hortelkeepers in each District during the Year 1914 as compared with 1913, the Number convicted, and the Number discharged or otherwise dealt with.

Return showing the Number of Prosecutions against Hotelkeepers within each Principal Centre during the Year 1914 as compared with 1913, the Number convicted, and the Number discharged or otherwise dealt with.

Sly-grog Selling. There were 171 prosecutions during the year for sly-grog selling, resulting in 127 convictions, against 136 prosecutions and 109 convictions during the preceding year. The fines imposed on sly-grog sellers during the year 1914 amounted to £2,547, as against £1,714 in 1913. The amounts of fines in the various districts are as follows : — £ s- ( i, Auckland .. .. .. .. '.. .. .. 105 0 0 Hamilton .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,157 10 0 Napier .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. 90 0 0 Wanganui .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 435 0 0 Wellington . . . . .. .. . . . . . . 382 0 Oj Christehurch .. .. .. ... .. .. .. 147 10 0 Dunedin .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 170 0 0 Inveroargill .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 60 0 0 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. £2,547 0 0 The direct cost to the Department in detecting and prosecuting sly-grog sellers during the year was £563, this being £1,984 less than the amount of fines imposed. Gaming Offences. There were 270 prosecutions, resulting in 228 convictions, during the year under the gaming laws, against 206 prosecutions and 133 convictions in 1913.

District. Proseoutions,, 1913. Prosecutions, 1914. ,-, ... Discharged or Convictions, otnerwif f e dealt 1914 - with, 1914. Auckland Hamilton Napier Wanganui ... Wellington ... Greymouth ... Christehurch Dunedin 30 28 18 25 52 35 17 17 7 34 30 8 25 38 32 35 17 11 • 11 17 8 16 18 25 13 9 6 23 13 9 20 7 22 8 5 Invercargill ... Totals ... 229 230 123 107

Centre. Prosecutions, 1913. Proseoutions, 1914. Convictions, 1914. Discharged or otherwise dealt with, 1914. Auckland and suburbs Wellington and suburbs Christehurch and suburbs Dunedin and suburbs 18 26 9 5 17 8 12 1 5 2 6 12 6 6 1 Totals ... 25 58 38 13