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Of the 25 women police employed by the Department, 10 are located at Auckland, 7at Wellington, 4at Christchurch, and 4at Dunedin. They have done very good work in cases in which women and children were involved and have proved an acquisition to the service. In the New Year honours list, 1947, His Majesty the King was pleased to confer the decoration of 0.8.8. on Mr. R. F. Madden, the Secretary o'f this Department, and of M.B.E. on Inspector J. J. Gallagher, Solicitor to the Police Department. Both these officers have given many years of loyal and efficient service, and it is pleasing to know that their faithful and outstanding work has been recognized and rewarded. During the year a conference of commissioned officers was held at Wellington. Many subjects dealing with the administration of the Department were discussed, and it is hoped that the interchange of ideas and measures taken for uniformity of procedure will result in increased efficiency of the Force. Police Buildings, &c. —The building of additional office and barrack accommodation and a motor-garage at Dunedin Central Police-station was completed, as was the erection of new police-stations at Omakau, Kingsland, and Waitara. A new station has also been erected at Ohakune, and a sergeant's residence at Tauranga. A contract has been let for a new police-station at Whitianga, and the work is now in hand. Houses for use as police-stations were purchased at New Lynn and Castleclifi and one for a constable's residence at Balclutha, and a site was acquired for a police-station at Waimataitai. Negotiations are in progress for the acquisition of a new site for a police-station at Grreymouth, and it is expected that the erection of the new building, which is urgently required, will be put in hand at an early date. The urgent demands for housing and the shortage of building-material and labour have impeded progress in regard to the erection of new police-stations, many of which are badly needed to replace buildings which have become unserviceable and inadequate for present requirements. Transport. —The fleet of cars for motor patrol and transport work has been augmented during the year by the acquisition of some additional second-hand vehicles through the War Assets Realization Board, and a few light trucks have also been obtained. These vehicles, which have done considerable mileage, are becoming costly to maintain, and it is hoped that some new cars to replace them will be procurable at an early date. In addition to cars for patrol work at the four main centres and their outlying suburbs, it has been possible to provide departmental vehicles at Palmerston North, Hamilton, and Rotorua. It is hoped to supply cars at other headquarters stations as soon as additional vehicles become available. Police Launches. —Water patrol of the harbour has been maintained by the police launches at Auckland and Wellington and has given good service in checking thefts from moored yachts, launches, &c., and in rendering assistance in boating accidents. The launch which was chartered at Auckland was returned to the owner, and has been replaced by another suitable vessel which was taken over from the Navy Department. Communications. —The operation of the radio system, which enables the central station to communicate with police patrol cars and which was installed at Auckland and Wellington, has proved a success, and has been particularly effective in dealing with crime and in the maintenance of law and order. Certain technical difficulties have precluded the installation of a two-way system, but the matter is receiving close attention. The efficiency of the police service has also been considerably advanced by the installation of the teleprinter machines. Units have now been installed at Christchurch and Dunedin, and these, with those in use at Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, and Wellington, provide a direct, prompt, and confidential channel of communication

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