THE CONSTABULARY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2291, 5 August 1881, Page 4

THE CONSTABULARY.

[Bt Tblbqbaph.] [PSOM TUB OWN OOBBBSPONDBNT OF THE “ PBESB.”] ■WELLINGTON, August 4, Colonel Reader’s annual report on the New Zealand Constabulary was presented to Parliament to-night. The principal items are the following : —The police force has been xednced by 12 officers and 48 men, saving £IO,OOO, without impairing the efficiency. The present proportion of officers to constables is 1 to 40, and constables to the population Ito 1200. Thera is a decrease of general offences throughout the colony over the previous year of 233. The return of the North Island for 1880 shows 8520 offences reported, 300 offenders committed for trial, 6159 summarily convicted, and 1611 discharged ; as against, in 1870, 8787 offences reported, 303 offenders committed for trial, 6493 summarily convicted, and 1427 discharged. The return for the South Island for 1880 shows 0317 offences reported, 280 offenders committed for trial, 7056 summarily convicted, and 1308 discharged; as against, in 1879, 9283 offences reported, 273 offenders committed for trial; 7016 summarily convicted, and 1157 discharged. In addition to 60 dispensed with, 23 resigned from the police force, 3 were discharged, 10 dismissed, 3 retired on compensation, 2 died ; total, 46. In 1880 the Armed Constabulary strength was 996 of all ranks; in 1881 it was only, 717, viz, 63 in the Waikato, 38 in Tauoo, 49 in Opotiki, 522 Taranaki, and 45 in Wellington. The number of men that left the force was 283, made up as follows : —Discharged at own request, 219; medically unfit for further service, 9; from various causes, 11; dismissed, 37; deserted, 3 ; died, 4. Colonel Reader remarks that the number of discharges at their own request is accounted for by some of the men being anxious to see active service at the Cape, and a large number asking for their discharge in consequence of the 10 per cent, reduction in their pay. No obstacle was placed to their leaving, and in every case a discharge was granted immediately on its being applied for. That a good many only applied in hopes that the Government would not be able to spare them, and would be obliged, therefore, to restore the 10 per cent. He was convinced of that from the fact of the number who shortly after begged to be allowed to rejoin, and about twenty men asked to be allowed to withdraw their applications when about to be discharged, bat as they had deferred taking this step till they had reached the depot in Wellington they were refused. The report concludes as follows :—‘‘The general conduct of the men has been most favorably reported on by the officers in command, and in conclusion I wish especially to bring to your notice the great credit that is due to Lieut.Colonel Roberta and his officers fur the high state of discipline and training prevailing throughout the field force, and the order, regularity, and cleanliness maintained in the camps.