H.—l6

and two persons committed for trial in this district during the year pleaded guilty after being committed. One, however, again changed his plea to one of " Not Guilty " when brought up for sentence, and was later tried and acquitted by the jury. Superintendent Cameron, Christchurch Disteict. On the 31st March, 1938, the authorized strength of the Police Force in this district was 168, being an increase of eighteen on the previous year. The distribution of the increase is as follows — Christchurch Station : two sergeants, nine constables, and three detectives ; Ashburton Station : one constable ; Lyttelton Station : one constable ; Rangiora Station : one constable ; Sydenham Station : one constable. The total number of offences reported during the year is 4,666, compared with 4,177 reported during the previous year, being an increase of 489. The principal increases are in the following : Assaults, false pretences, breaches of the peace, drunkenness, Sunday trading, found in gaming-house, failing to pay maintenance-moneys, selling and exposing liquor for sale during closing-hours, breaches of prohibition orders, found on licensed premises, and breaches under Motor-vehicles Act. The principal decreases are in theft (undescribed), theft from dwellings, house and shop breaking, mischief, failing to maintain wife and family, and reckless driving. As far as I can judge, the reasons for the increases mentioned are as follows—False pretences : The increase is mainly due to persons making false representations under the Employment Act. Drunkenness : I think this is due to the increased spending-power of the people. Found in gaminghouses : A police raid on a gaming-house in which a large number of persons were found is responsible for the increase. Offences under the Licensing Act by licensees and servants : The increase is probably due to unsuitable persons obtaining licenses, and the difficulty of such persons to refuse during closing-hours persons who are good customers during opening-hours, and also by the attention given by the police to the conduct of hotels. Offences under the Motor-vehicles Act and Regulations : To some extent this is due to the increased number of vehicles on the roads, every week the number being increased. As to the decreases in theft from dwellings and thefts of various kinds, I think this is due to the fact that the increase in the detective staff does not give the offender such a long run before he is detected. The conduct of the members of the Force has been good. Only three constables were dealt with for minor breaches of Police Regulations. Good feeling exists between the members of the uniform and detective branches of the service. During the year a number of young constables were placed on the strength in the district. They are taking a keen interest in their duties and are eager to gain further knowledge. The uniform branch have carried out their duties in a satisfactory manner, and the. detective branch have been responsible for some highly efficient work. The reduced working-hours have been appreciated by all ranks. Inspector Shanahan, Timaru District. The strength of the Force in the district on the 31st March, 1938, was forty-eight. The authorized strength has been increased by four constables since last annual report —three constables at Timaru Station and one at Oamaru. The increase was brought about owing to the inauguration of the 48-hour week. A further increase of one constable at Timaru and one at Oamaru is required in order to satisfactorily carry out ordinary beat duty, relieving duty, &c. The appointment of a detective-sergeant is also recommended for duty at Oamaru. The total number of offences reported for the year ended 31st December, 1937, was 733, as compared with 678 for the previous year, an increase of 55. Arrests or summonses resulted in 607 cases. The principal increases were in respect of offences relating to assaults causing actual bodily harm, assault with intent to commit a crime, mischief, drunkenness, default of maintenance, offences against provisions in force in no-license districts, being intoxicated in charge of motor-vehicles, and reckless or negligent driving. The most notable decreases were indecent assaults on males, receiving stolen property, and being found on premises where liquor was seized under warrant. Apart from one case of murder, the district has been free from crime of a serious nature during the year. On 11th September, 1937, an elderly storekeeper was found murdered at Arundel. Meritorious work on the part of the Timaru, Christchurch, and Dunedin police resulted in the arrest and subsequent conviction of the murderer. The general conduct of the police in this district during the year has been very good and their duties have been performed in a satisfactory manner. There were no defaulters. Superintendent Rawle, Dunedin District. On the 31st March, 1938, the actual strength of the Force was 123, being an increase of thirteen over the year 1937. The increase was due to the introduction of the 48-hour week, which necessitated an additional two sergeants at the Central Station, one extra constable at Mosgiel, one at South Dunedin, one at North Dunedin, one in District Office, one at Port Chalmers, one in detective branch, and five men for the extra duty entailed at Central Station. The actual further requirements for the district are two constables to man a new beat, and one additional man for local and district relieving and for the work entailed in the keeping and servicing of three motor-cars. The annual offences return for the year discloses that 2,892 offences were, reported, as against 2,951 for the previous year, being a decrease of 59 offences.

14