The Chronicle LEVIN. THURSDAY, AUGUST 10,1916. THE POLICE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 10 August 1916, Page 2

The Chronicle LEVIN. THURSDAY, AUGUST 10,1916. THE POLICE.

The police iorct' of -New Zecilunu is annually the subject of ail interesting report to Parliament by the Commissioner of Police. From a perusal o: tiie Commissioner's latest report Hie Chronicle gathers that the cost ot the police (per head of population) is Imver in New Zealand than in any ot the Australasian" States. In Acw Zealand the cos't per ail mini works out at Is 2£d per head ol the population, in Tasmania 4s GJd, Victoria ; i.i OJd, -New South Wales (5s OJd, Queensland 8s ljd, South Australia <is 3d, Westralia 8s ljd. In a statument concerning recruits to the force, the New Zealand Commissioner notes that liftv-eight men were taken on during the year, their nationalities, religions, ami occupations being as follows: .Nationalities: England, 13; Scotland, 4; Ireland) 10; .New Zealand, 29; Australia 2. Religions: Church of Jtaigland, 21; Presbyterian 12; Komaii Catholic, 20; Methodist 4; Church ot Christ 1. Occupations: Asylum attendant 1; bakers 2; butcher 1; bushman 1; carpenters 7 ; carters 4 ; contractor 1; ax-constables 20; ex sold it v I; farm labourer's, 11; footman 1; jointer 1; labourers 7; miners 2; railway porters 4; surfaceman 1; fireman 1; tram conductor 1; wheelwright 1. 'JMie strength of the force is 916 of all rank*; of which number 757 arc constables. There has been an increase ol 79 in the number of persons prosecuted for drunkenness during the year as compared with the previous year Of this number, 38.48 per cent of the males and 55.56 per cent or the females had- previous convictions recorded against them, and 7.89 of the males were not permanent residents of tinDominion. The direct cost to the .Department in detecting and prosecuting sly-grog sellers during the year was £567, this being £2148 lets than the amount of fines imposed. The criminal registration branch continues to be of great value to the police force. During the year the finger-impressions of 2072 prisoners were received, classiied, searched andi filed, and 218 prisoners were identified ae previous offenders in this Dominion, Australia., England, etc.; 937 photographs were taken ; tho port/raits of 1446 prisoners were dealt witli ; and 368 photographs of dissbarged prisoners were reproduced in the Police Gazette. The identity ot

one deceased person was established by Iris finger-printe. The Police Gazette mci'oaaotl in volume by 69 pages of printed matter. In two noteworthy casee--viz., tho attempt to break andenter the Bank of New South Wales at Eltham, and the breaking and entering of the Borough Council Chambers at' 'Mirainar, Wellington—tho fingerprint evidence wa« of the utmost importance and was responsible for bringing the four offenders concerned to Justice. On the 31st March last tho Knger-print collection consisted oi the impressions of 18,134 offenders, being on increase of 1452 over the previous year.