THE POLICE FORCE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 October 1920, Page 1

THE POLICE FORCE

The strength of the Police Force is now 844 an increase of 53 during the year. Offences reported to the police during the year show a net increase of 4010 on the figures for 1918. The principal increases during the year appear under the following headings:—Assault (common) 173, theft (undescribed) 651, theft from dwellings 34, house or shop breaking and theft ,ete., 161, mischief 156, breach of the peace 117, drunkenness 988, using profane, indecent, or obscene language 253, vagrancy offences 196, gaming offences 99, failing to provide maintenance for wives etc., 396 breach of prohibition order 372. There were decreases in the following:—Assault causing bodily harm 12, burglary 102, receiving stolen property 34, theft of animals 20, selling liquor without a license 41, absconding from industrial schools 36, keeping brothels etc. 17. The number of offences reported in the. principal districts were:—Auckland 5532, Wellington 4995, Christchurch 3085, Dunedin 1426. Wellington heads the list for prosecutions against hotel-keep-ers, the number being 111. The figures for the cities are:—Auckland 49, Wel-

lington 78, Christchurch 24, Dunedin 10. There was an increase in gaming offences. •

The Commissioner states that the increase of pay will stimulate recruiting. He draws special attention to the necessity for devising a comprehensive scheme of house accommodation for the married men stationed in the cities and large towns in proximity to their sta-' tions. It is of urgent and vital importance that this should be done as early as possible. . .