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EXTRACTS FROM ANNUAL REPORTS OF OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF DISTRICTS. Superintendent Wohlmann, Auckland Head District. In February last a scheme designed to increase efficiency of administration was brought into operation in the Auckland Police District, which was divided as follows Head District (under Superintendent Wohlmann) : That portion of the original Auckland District beyond the suburbs of the City and including the coal and gold fields area taken over from the Hamilton District. Metropolitan District (under Inspector Mcllveney) : The suburban area and portion of the City of Auckland. , Central District (under Inspector Hollis) : That portion of the city worked from the Central Station and the waterfront stations. Inspector Hollis also took charge of the Detective Branch and of criminal investigation in the three co-ordinated districts. For the purpose of the scheme, Inspector J. W. Hollis was transferred from Whangarei to the charge of the new Central District. Inspector Mcllveney took charge of the new Metropolitan District, and I assumed control of the new Head District to which had been added the following stations previously in the Hamilton District : Coromandel, Huntly, Kerepehi, Paeroa, Thames, Thames (South), Waihi, and Whitianga. This augmented the strength of the co-ordinated districts by two sergeants and sixteen constables. The concentration under the direct control of the Chief Detective of all detectives in the coordinated districts and the proposed opening of a branch of the Finger-print Bureau at Auckland under the supervision of the Inspector in charge of the Central District makes for increased efficiency and smoothness of administration. The police continue to do a considerable amount of work for other Departments, the cost of which comes out of the Police vote. Offences against property last winter rose above normal, but subsided with the spring. A motor and cycle patrol was instituted with very satisfactory results, demonstrating the value and efficiency of such a form of patrol. It is very much more economical than stationing an increased number of constables in the suburban areas. It is anticipated that with the approach of winter the need for resumption of motor patrol will have to be met again. To enable this to be done with efficiency, two fast motor-cycles are required. The offences return for the year ending 31st December, 1927, shows a total of 8,861 offences reported, being a net, increase of 580 offences over the previous year. Of the total offences reported, 8,017 were accounted for by arrest or summons, leaving 844 undetected, as compared with 982 offences undetected in the previous year. The conduct of the police during the year has been on the whole satisfactory ; twenty-five constables were punished for forty-six breaches of regulations, being a decrease on the previous year of nine defaidters and eight charges. Inspector Mcllveney, Auckland Metropolitan District. Arrangements have recently been made for an increase of strength at the Mount Albert station by placing a mounted constable there in addition to the foot constable in charge. This will have the effect of not only lightening.the work at tha,t station, but also at the Mount Eden South and Mount Roskill stations, as some of the outskirts of both of those sub-districts will be added to the Mount Albert Sub-district and worked by the mounted man at Mount Albert. The adjustment of duties in the above neighbourhood will be put into operation immediately. Arrangements are also being made for the cutting-up of the Avondale Sub-district by stationing a mounted constable at New Lynn. The population of this part of the Auckland Metropolitan District is steadily increasing, and at present the police work at Avondale Station, which includes duty at New Lynn, exceeds that which can be properly attended to by one man. It is anticipated that the above-mentioned changes will provide much better means of carrying out police duty over a large area of country than obtained under the old system which was worked entirely by foot constables. Inspector Hollis, Auckland Central District. The centralization of the Detective Branch is a step in the right direction, serving as it does the three co-ordinated districts. Covering so large an area, greater facilities are obtained for the training of men for this particular branch of the service, and it will prove very beneficial in the detection of crime and to the public generally. I would recommend that at least two motor-cycles be supplied and placed at the service of the Detective Branch, for night patrol when required. In other Police Forces such motor-vehicles have proved very beneficial in the prevention and detection of crime. With the advent of the Criminal Registration Branch, which will be attached to this district, greater benefits should be obtained in the early detection of previous offenders not only in the Auckland co-ordinated districts, but in other districts in the Dominion.

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