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EXTBACTS FBOM ANNUAL REPORTS OF OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF DISTRICTS. Superintendent Kiely, Auckland District. On the 31st March last the authorized strength of the Force in this district was 183 of all ranks, made up as follows: 1 Superintendent, 1 Inspector, 1 Sub-Inspector, 3 senior sergeants, 21 sergeants, 147 constables, 1 Chief Detective, 2 detective-sergeants, and 6 detectives In addition there were 5 district constables, 4 Native constables, 3 special constables, 1 matron, and I surgeon. The actual strength on the 31st March last was 178, there being 5 constables under strength. ° i J h Vol iC !; stat i on , at Here kino has been closed. The watch-house building adjoining the Auckland Station has been demolished and a new three-story building, including further cell accommodation, is being erected in its place. This building is a very real necessity, as the office and cell accommodation in the old building was quite inadequate. During the year 1 constable retired on superannuation, 1 constable was discharged medically unfit, and 11 constables resigned. J Twelve constables were fined for minor breaches of the regulations, otherwise the conduct of the men in general has been very good. _ The total number of offences reported for the year 1916 was 5,105, as compared with 6 375 in the previous year, a net decrease of 1,270. Of the total number of offences reported, over 95 per cent, were accounted for by either arrest or summons. The following are the principal increases and decreases: Increases—Bankruptcy offences, 14; carnally knowing girls 14---deserting or absenting from merchant, vessels, 45; forgery and uttering, 29; gaming offences, 46---keeping disorderly houses or brothels, 13; rape, 4. Decreases-Abusive, insulting 8 or threaten-' mg words or behaviour 23; common assaults, 83; breaches of the peace, 20; disobeying orders of the Court, 44; drunkenness 709; failing to provide for wives, &c, 48; false pretences, 50; illegally on premises, 25; mischief, 15; obscene language, 42; soliciting prostitution 26- theft by servants, 15; theft from dwellings, 42; and vagrancy/ 4. The remarkable decrease in drunkenness alone is very gratifying indeed, as is also the marked decrease in serious crime. No doubt the War Regulations dealing with anti-treating have to some extent helped towards the reduction of drunkenness. These regulations have been rigidly enforced throughout the district as far as practicable, and I am pleased to be IblJ to report that their provisions are being more generally observed of late. The salutary fines imposed on offenders brought before the Court have helped considerably towards ' aXinTthat very desirable end. The War Regulations, too, dealing with houses of ill fame and parrXS\l on . e : w » m^. + bl ' ot J> e ] s . have been most effective in their general application." They have helped to rid the City of Auckland in no uncertain way of the one-woman-brothel pest,' which was, unfortunately so much m evidence previous to their introduction. It is to be hoped Then the war is oyer and these regulations expire by effluxion of time that steps will be taken to have their provisions embodied in an Aot of Parliament. By so doing an embargo will be placed on immorality, and prostitution will not be quite so remunerative an occupation as heretofore Superintendent Norwood, Wellington District tookovVcLrSoftrdtHct 916 ' ' "*« * ****» *-^'from Invercargill, and The actual strength of the Force in this district as on the 31st March, 1917 was 166 viz ■ Superintendent I Inspector, I Sub-Inspector, 6 senior sergeants. 13 sergean s 135 constables' Chief Detective, 4 detective-sergeants, 2 detectives, 1 surgeon, 1 matron. The authorized trench is 177 there being a shortage of 1 sergeant, 7 constables, and 3 detectives '» lttlo ™ ed length The authorized strength of the district has been increased by 1 sergeant, appointed to charge of the Whar Police. This sergeant, with 6 constables, has been detailed to Se up EdTr a Police ffie/^t -° nt ; *£•"" & M^d *™F£ SStoE Hoard foi a Police office. Prior to this arrangement beinsr „ m d c this duty was performed by ntfict 7 6S ' W6re Chang . ed eVery f( > rtni ght. The present system has proved very satisfactory; it permits the men to thoroughly grasp the requirements of the traffic and become poXn of S.X thG P ° llCe " WOrk reqUirCd t0 b ° d ° ne M this most iajSLStdtaS During the year 1 constable retired on superannuation, and 2 constables were dismissed--1 6 constables resigned, the majority of them to proceed to the front dismissed , The total number of all offences reported for the year ending 31st March, 1917 was 6 26<> Of this number, 5,957 cases were dealt with by the Courts %C\K ~O * Q k ■ xvll > ™. M abandoned for the want of sufficient evidence to^rcUutel7 nature and dealt with in the Supreme Court Increases are undo, thJTll - nd \ ctahh Absconding from industrial schools" 83 ; common 3 °f mus riding ? gaming offences, 32; keeping disorderly houses, 16; neglected and crimTna ildren 29 rteft 55 vagrancy, 28. The principal decreases were-Burglarv. 11; disobeying order?'of Court lVdrunkenness, 782; failing to provide maintenance, 20; llle-vallv on Premises in *.' exposure and behaviour, 20; malicious injury to property 2ob cine \ZZ 1 h \ T"* and resisting police, 29; sly-grog selling, 13.' language, 83; obstructing It will be noticed that the greatest decrease under any individual heading is that for drunkenness, there being the substantial decrease of 782 cases for the year Urge deceases