POLICE AND CRIME.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2584, 19 July 1882, Page 3

POLICE AND CRIME.

[PEOII THE “ TRESS.”! WELLINGTON, July 18.

The annual report on the N.Z. Constabulary was presented to-night. Its feature is Col. Roberts’ official report on the Parihaka demonstration and the events antecedent, but as all these have already been discussed usque ad nauseam, I need not quote this version, which, although very graphic, presents no new points of importance. Colonel Reader states that in the police branch out of a total strength of 445 there have been 59 changes during the year—viz , by resignation and completion of service, 38 ; by discharge, 5; on compensation, 4; by desertion, 1; by dismissal, 9 ; by death, 3. New police stations have been erected at Te Aroha (Auckland) and Havolcok (Napier), and those at Greytown and Manutahi have been re opened. An additional constable has been given to Invercargill, Masterton, Wellington and Hawera, and two to Christchurch. The proportion of officers to constables on the 31st March was 1 to 40|; of police in boroughs to population (comprising Europeans, Chinese, and half-castes) — Timaru, 1 to 356 ; Hokitika, 1 to 371 i New Plymouth, 1 to 473 ; Auckland, 1 to 490 ; Christchurch, 1 to 490 ; Wanganui, I to 516 ; Dunedin, 1 to 625 ; Napier, 1 to 639 ; Wellington, 1 to 663 ; Nelson, 1 to 752 ; Invercargill, Ito 872. The proportion throughout the colony was Ito 1084. In Brisbane it is 1 to 1022 ; throughout the colony, 1 to 425. In Sydney, 1 to 633 ,- throughout the colony, Ito 609. In Melbourne, 1 to 609 ; throughout the colony, 1 to 774. In Adelaide, I to 375 ; throughout the colony, 1 to 745. There has been a decrease of 913 general offences in the North Island, and of 249 in the South, giving a total throughout the colony of 1202. The offenders return of the North Island for the year 1881, shows 7566 offences reported, 220 offences committed for trial, 5240 summarily ccnvioted, and 1382 discharged, aa against in 1860, 8520 offences reported, 309 offenders committed for trial, 6159 summarily convicted, and 1611 discharged. The return of the South Island for 1881, shows 9068 offences reported, 249 offenders committed for trial, 682 sum marily convicted, and 1269 discharged, as against in 1880, 9317 offences reported, 280 offenders committed for trial, 7056 summarily convicted, and 1308 discharged. The conduct of the force, with a few exceptions, hsu been very good ; and that both officers and men have been zsalocs in the discharge of their duties is amply shown by the criminal statistics of the year. The last report showed the strength of the reserve branch to have been 717 of all ranks on the 31st March, 1881. By the sth November following, in consequence of the threatening attitude of the Natives on the West Coast, the strength was increased to 1088, of whom 828 wore located in the Taranaki district, under Lieut.-001. Roberts, NZ O. After the investment of Parihaka and the removal of Te Whiti and Tohu to New Plymouth the force was reduced, so that by the 31st March, 1883, the number of all ranks stood at 957.

A man is like an egg ; keep him in hot water and he will become hardened.

Two men were watching the obsequies of a c immei e-'al millionaire who had gone to that bourne whence no traveller returns, and left his two young children half a million each ‘ Look at tho poor orphans,’ exclaimed the sensational man. 1 Poor orphans, do you say ?' exclaimed the practical man j * I should call ’em pretly well oft’uns.’