H.—l6.

The conduct of the members of the Force in the district has been satisfactory during the year. A fairly high standard of efficiency has been maintained, and both branches of the Service have done good work. One sergeant and seventeen constables were dealt with for breaches of the regulations. I would recommend that section 278 of the Crimes Act, 1908, be amended so as to include all buildings. I suggest that section 55 of the Police Offences Act, 1927, be amended to deal with persons escaping from police lock-ups, so that the offender may be dealt with summarily. I recommend that " enclosed areas " in sections 52 (i) and 54 of the Police Offences Act, 1927, be defined to include that portion of land around a house or building which would in the ordinary manner have been enclosed with a fence. This would deal with schools, &c., that have no gates on their property. I also recommend that section 189 (b) of the Justices of the Peace Act, 1927, be repealed so that offenders with a previous conviction who come before the Court on indictment may be dealt with summarily. If this amendment was made, it would dispense with sending a number of offenders to the Supreme Court and save considerable unnecessary expense. They would still have the right of trial by jury. The police still continue to do a very large amount of work for other Departments. In consequence of the time taken in performing such work with our limited strength, police work must suffer, and will continue to do so until the offices of other Departments do some of their own work. The work performed for other Departments has increased 50 per cent, during the year. During the past year the Trans-Tasman Airway started operations with an inaugural flight of the " Aotearoa." There is now a bi-weekly service in operation, due to the addition of the flying-ship " Awarua." On the arrival of H.M.S. " Achilles " on 23rd February, after successful participation in the sinking of the " Graf Spee " at the Battle of the River Plate, a public reception was tendered to the ship's company. Seldom has Auckland seen such a crowd as that which lined the streets to give them a welcome. The greatest assembly of people ever seen in Auckland was that which took place on 30th March last for the purpose of paying reverent homage at the passing of a beloved Prime Minister, the Right Hon. M. J. Savage. On both occasions, despite the fact that huge crowds had assembled, all members of the Force carried out their duties in a satisfactory manner. Letters of commendation have been received complimenting the police on the way they carried out their duties. Inspector Lopdell, Hamilton District. During the year additions were made of one constable each at Putaruru, Te Kuiti, and Rotorua Stations, bringing the authorized strength on 31st March, 1940, to eighty-seven men of all ranks. A sergeant was also appointed to charge of the Te Awamutu sub-district. The total offences for the year ended 31st December, 1938, were 3,059, while those for this year were 3,283, showing an increase of 224 offences. Of these the largest increases were for breaches of the Motor-vehicles Act, drunkenness, failing to pay maintenance, and thefts (petty). The other figures of increases and decreases are the usual fluctuations which occur from year to year. There was no serious crime during the year. The conduct of the police, with the exception of three offenders, was excellent. Two constables were discharged for misconduct, while a third was disciplined. A steady increase in the population within the district is occurring, all the towns and townships showing evidence of the increase. The townships of The Mount, near Tauranga, and Piopio, near Te Kuiti, each require a police-station. Land has been procured to that end and the erection of station buildings is under consideration. A very fine new station which will fill the needs for many years is nearing completion at Rotorua. The recent law forbidding drinking at public dances is having a very good effect and is much appreciated by people throughout the district. Inspector Edwards, Gisbop.ne District. There has been no increase in the strength of the Force in this district during the past year, though a sergeant has replaced the constable in charge of the Whakatane sub-district. The offences return for the year ended 31st December, 1939, shows a total of 1,755 offences reported, as compared with 1,589 the previous year, being an increase of 166. Arrests and summonses resulted in 1,720 cases being dealt with, leaving 35 undetected. The most noticeable increases were in theft, false pretences, mischief, drunkenness, illegal supply of liquor to Natives, breach of prohibition orders, and burglary and house and shop breaking. The most noticeable decreases were false statements and declarations, theft of animals, and reckless or negligent driving of motor-vehicles. No serious crimes were reported during the year. The conduct of the police in this district has been good, and their duties have been performed in a very satisfactory manner. There were no defaulters. Inspector Cameron, Napier District. On 31st March, 1940, the authorized strength of the Force in this district was sixty-seven, being an increase of one, due to the stationing of a constable at Tuai. I recommend an increase of two constables at Hastings, one constable at Napier, and one constable at Wairoa. This would give more adequate supervision at night and also provide additional staff to cope with the work, which has increased considerably in these centres in recent years.

2 H. 10.

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