THE CONSTABULARY FORCE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1999, 21 July 1880, Page 3

THE CONSTABULARY FORCE.

[By Telegraph.]

[prom OPR OWN CORRESPONDENT.! WELLINGTON, July 20, The annual report of the Constabulary has been laid on the table. The North Island shows a considerable increase of crime. The strength of the force is 251, or one member to every 1014 persons. Commissioner Weldon’s report for Otago shows a strength of 130, or one policeman to every thousand of the population. 4370 offences were reported during the year, and 3586 persons apprehended. The detective branch is highly spoken of. Mr Weldon attributes the increase of crime to the increase of population and the innate disposition to evil of a certain class who live by preying on others. For this class he recommends long sentences and substantial hard labor as the best cure. Ho again recommends the passing of the Police Offences Statute, also the compilation of a volume of extracts from the Acts for the special use of the Constabulary, and also provision for gratuities and retiring allowances for men incapacitated from further work. Inspector Broham’s report on the Canterbury division says that there is scarcely an offence known to the law that has not been brought under the notice of the police, although there was no groat increase of crime last year. Three thousand eight hundred offences were reported,'and 3467 persons apprehended. The strength of the for ca is the same as it was four years back, viz , 100 men. Mr Broham suggests the recognition of long service by increased pay, and recommends that more men should be stationed at Lyttelton. He also suggests the necessity of passing the Police Offences Statute, and urges further that a complete licensing statute is required. The alteration of the Adulteration of Food Act is considered necessary to enable the police constables to lay informations and compel persons to supply samples for analysis. Colonel Boberts’ report on the West Coast force contains nothing important. He speaks highly of his men.