H.—lo

Inspector Mathew, Greymoutw District. The offences return for the year ending 31st December last shows a total number of all offences reported to be 1,158, as compared with 1,159 for the previous year. There has been a decrease in obscene and profane language, drunkenness, and breaches of the Motor-vehicles Act and Arms Act. An increase is shown in offences against the rights of property —theft, theft from dwellings, and false pretences. There has also been an increase in the number of persons charged with unlawfully using motor-cars. There were not any serious criminal offences reported during the year. The general conduct of members of the Force in this district has been good. One constable was fined for breaches of regulations and another constable was called upon to resign. Superintendent Eales, Christchuroh District. The addition of five constables to the authorized strength during the past year is much appreciated, owing to the rapid increase of the population and the consequent increase of work. During the year 4,182 offences were reported as against 3,650 in 1927, an increase of 532. The principal increases occurred in theft, false pretences, obscene language, unlawful use of motor-cars, betting and conducting lotteries, and breaches of the Motor-vehicles Act. Decreases are noticed in burglary and shop breaking, and maintenance cases. The conduct of the members of the Force has been good. A few were dealt with for minor cases of indiscipline. Superintendent Eales, temporarily in Charge, Timaru District. Inspector Kemp lias been ill for a considerable period and is still absent from duty. There were no serious crimes during the year, but offences increased from 651 in 1926, to 1,008 in 1927. The main increases were in motor-vehicles offences, theft, breaking and entering, assaults, mischief, vagrancy, drunkenness, and licensing and maintenance offences. The conduct of the members of the police was good, with the exception of three constables who were punished for breaches of regulations. Superintendent Willis, Dunedin District. The total number of offences reported during the year were 1,614, as against 1,486 for the previous year. Principal increases were : False pretences, breaking into houses and shops, driving motor-cars without license, and unlawfully using motor-cars. Principal decreases were : Theft, drunkenness, and being drunk in charge of vehicles. There were no crimes of a serious nature during the year, and the slight increase in the number of offences reported does not call for any special comment. With two or three exceptions the conduct of non-commissioned officers and men has been uniformly good and the standard of efficiency satisfactorily maintained. Inspector Bird, Invercargill District. A new station was opened at Tokanui and the station at Fortrose closed duritig the year. The total number of offences reported during the year ended the 31st December. 1927, was 1,035, as against 964 for the previous year, being an increase of 71. The principal increases were : Shopbreaking, failing to maintain wives and children, and breaches of Motor-vehicles Act. There were decreases in assault, theft from dwellings, mischief, and drunkenness. The conduct of all ranks, with one or two exceptions, has been good. One constable was lined, and one constable called upon to resign for breach of Police Regulations.

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