1T.—16.

There are twentyffive stations to visit, some at considerable distance from here and from one another. Efficiency in the preparation of briefs and on busy Court days requires close assistance. When the Inspector has to be away from the centre the constant calls from an intensely busy community as well as supervision make it desirable that an officer of commissioned rank should be left in charge. In all 2,925 offences were reported, being fifty-five in excess of last year. A perusal of the report shows grounds for satisfaction, as there were no serious crimes reported, and the usual crop of thefts and false pretences were reduced in number. The increases are chiefly under the Licensing Act and the Motor-vehicles Act. I regret to have once more to draw attention to the number of persons convicted for being intoxicated while in charge of motor-vehicles, there being seventy-seven convictions recorded during the year. The conduct of the police has been of a very high standard. There was one disciplinary breach dealt with. I again express my opinion that the sale of all wine should be brought under regulation. Many police properties which during the slump years were neglected have been repaired and renovated at considerable cost, and those requiring attention are being attended to. Many comforts have been added to the homes of constables, which are appreciated. Land has been acquired at Hamilton for a future Headquarters station in a very suitable locality. The need for the building on the land is recognized and will in due course be provided. I think land for the building of a permanent station at Mount Maunganui should be acquired without delay and a station building erected. Inspector Edwards, Gisborne District. The authorized strength of the Force in the Gisborne district on 31st March, 1938, was forty-two. During the year there has been an increase of six constables —viz., three at Gisborne, one at Opotiki, and one at Whakatane (these additions being necessary to enable the 48-hour week to be brought into operation), and also a second constable at Ruatoria Station, where the duties have increased to such an extent that one constable could not cope with them. The offences return for the year shows a total of 1,560 offences reported, as compared with 1,171 the previous year, an increase of 389. Arrests or summonses resulted in 1,511 cases being dealt with, leaving 49 undetected. The most noticeable increases were false statements and declarations (Employment Act), house or shop breaking, forgery and uttering, drunkenness ; using profane, indecent, or obscene language ; being intoxicated in charge of a motor-vehicle, reckless or negligent driving, and other breaches of Motor-vehicles Act. The most noticeable decreases were carnally knowing girls under 16 years, theft (petty), theft of animals, damaging telegraph equipment, found on licensed premises after closing-hours, and Arms Act breaches. The district has been free from crime of a serious nature during the year. The conduct of the police in this district has been excellent, there being no defaulters. Inspector Cameron, Napier District. On the 31st March, 1938, the authorized strength for the Force in this district was sixty-six, being an increase of six from the previous year, due to the appointment of two constables at Napier, two constables at Hastings, one constable at Waipukurau, and one constable at Kopuawhara. The appointments at Napier and Hastings were due to the working of the 48-hour week. At Waipukurau the additional appointment was to cope with the work; and the appointment at Kopuawhara was made necessary through the construction of the East Coast Railway. I would recommend the increase of one constable at Napier and one constable at Hastings. It, would give better police supervision as the result of the introduction of the 48-hour week. For year ended 31st December, 1937, the total number of offences reported was 1,699, an increase on the previous year of 26. Of the 1,699 offences reported, 1,591 were accounted for by arrest or summons, leaving 108 undetected. The principal increases were false pretences, breaches of prohibition orders, false statements and declarations (Employment Promotion Act), and breaches of the Motor-vehicles Act. The principal decreases were theft (petty) ; house or shop breaking ; unlawfully using horses, motor-cars, &c. ; selling or supplying liquor at unauthorized times ; found on licensed premises after hours ; and breaches of Arms Act. The increases in offences relating to false pretences were due to the activity of a criminal travelling from town to town issuing valueless cheques. The breaches of the Employment Promotion Act were in respect of persons making false declarations of their income. The offences committed under the Motor-vehicles Act were mostly caused by careless driving. The decrease in offences relating to petty theft is due in a great measure to decreasing juvenile crime over the past twelve months. The other decreases do not call for comment. There has been no serious crime in the district during the past year. With the exception of one constable being convicted for breaches of the Police Regulations, the conduct of the members of the Force has been very good, and a high standard of efficiency maintained.

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