5

H.—l6

■Criminal Registration. This branch of the Department continues to be of great value to the Police Force. During the year the Police Gazette increased in volume by 33 pages of printed matter; 518 photographs were taken by the photographers; the portraits of 1,478 prisoners were dealt with ; 296 photographs of discharged prisoners were reproduced in the Police Gazette ; the finger-impressions of 3,216 prisoners were received, classified, and searched, and 270 prisoners were identified as previous offenders in this Dominion, Australia, England, India, &c. The identity of three deceased persons was established by their finger-prints. On the 31st March last the collection consisted of the i 6,682 offenders, being an increase of 1,380 on the previous year. The following table shows the increase of the finger-print collection and prisoners traced thereby since the introduction of the finger-print system of identification in March, 1903 :—

Candidates for Force. Eighty-four men were taken on during the year, their nationalities, religions, and occupations being as follows :—Nationalities : England, 10 ; Scotland, 9 ; Ireland, 21 ; New Zealand, 43 ; Australia, 1. Religions: Church of England, 26; Presbyterian, 28; Roman Catholic, 25; Methodist, 4 ; Baptist, 1. Occupations : Asylum attendants, 3 ; blacksmith, I ; bushman, 1 ; butcher, 1 ; cabinetmakers, 2 ; carpenters, 4 ; carrier, 1 ; clerks, 2 ; dredge hand, 1 ; engine-drivers, 3 ; oxconstables, 19 ; farm labourers, 9 ; hairdresser, 1 ; labourers, 21 ; miners, 4 ; mechanics, 2 ; platelayer, I; railway - porter, 1; slaughtermen, 2; stable-keeper, 1; telegraph-linemen, 2; tramconductors, 2. First Aid to the Injured. During the year ended 31st March, 1915, 72 probationers presented themselves, at the conclusion of their course of training at the depot, for examination in " first aid to the injured," the examinations being held under the auspices of the St. John Ambulance Association. Of the 72 men who sat, all passed, the average number of marks gained being 81-64 (maximum, 100 ; bare pass, 50). The lecturer was in each case Dr. Henry, Police Surgeon, and the examiners different medical men appointed by the Association. Police Buildings, etc. During the year the following works in connection with police-stations have been carried out by the Public Works Department:— New Buildings erected. --Ngaruawahia, Northcote, Patutahi, Tokomaru Bay, Raurimu, Taihape, Coalgate, North Dunedin (sergeant's residence), and Kaitangata. New Buildings in Course of Erection. —Hamilton, Martinborough, Wellington (new central station), Wellington (Taranaki Street), Picton (lock-up), Ahaura, and Charleston. Properties acquired. —Mount Roskill (site and building), Mount Eden South (site and building), Hamilton (Inspector's residence), Manunui (site), Tuakau (site), Te Araroa (site), Whangamomona (site and building), Island Bay (site), Karori (site), Inangahua Junction (site), Nightcaps (site and building). Additions, Alterations, and Improvements have also been effected at the following stations : Kaitaia, Auckland (central), Birkenhead, Newton, Motu, Opotiki, Port Awanui, Mokau, Normanby, Mangaweka, Wanganui, Masterton, Kilbirnie, Eketahuna, Kimbolton, Wellington South, Upper Hutt, Matiere, Nelson, The Port, Okarito, Cuiverden, Lawrence, Naseby, Ranfurly, Waikouaiti, Inveroargill, andßiverton.

Year. Number of Inorease Qu . n ,, , 3 Previous Year, in Collection. Prisoners traced as Previous Offenders. 1904 ... 1905 ... 1906 ... 1907 1908 ... 1909 ... 1910 ... 1911 1912 ... 1913 ... 1914 ... 1915 ... 3,500 3,500 4,200 700 5,000 800 6,151 1,151 7,622 1,471 8,718 1,096 9,919 1,201 10,905 986 12,097 1,192 13,552 1,455 15,302 1,750 16,682 1,380 3,500 700 800 1,151 1,471 1,096 1,201 986 1,192 1,455 1,750 1,380 117 72 88 104 123 138 140 148 178 183 230 270 *