SERIOUS CRIMES.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1924, Page 4

SERIOUS CRIMES.

POUCH COMMISSIONER'S SI'RY KY

Wiai.INGTON. Aug. 13.

Kxeept for an increiise in drunkenness, New /ealaml crime statistics, as tlistlosetl in the annual report of the Commissioner of Police, are satisfactory. The total number of offences showed an increase of 1120, but under the heatling ".Serious Crimes" there lias been a decrease ot eighty-live alienees reported. f i nero were 120 lewei burglaries anti breaking anti entering cist’s, hut there was an increase of 80 forgeries. There were seven murders as, compared with live in the previous year, and in six eases the offender was arrestedi The only case in which no arrest was made was that ot Mrs Oates at Wanganui. Inquiries still are being fontinued. Sexual offences numbered ol)!), .showing till increase ol 32. There lias been a slight increase in the number of persons arrested fm drunkenness during the year. viz... <520. I,nt as tiie previous year's returns showed it plicnnuienal decrease the (iresent year's figures call for no comment*, sov> tiie Commissioner. It is shown •t lett the c.*i rift ions for drunkenness increased in Auckland to the extent of 004, Wellington 70. Dunedin (id. while Christchurch boasts a decrease of 22 Prosecutions of hotel oU • showed an increase of d’-k while .>, convictions for sly grog soiling resulted 11. tines totalling LI3IA mure than the ecst of obtaining convictions. CAM INC OFFENCES. In 1 timmenting on the tact that Ido prosecutions for gaming olicnccs_ result,.,l in ;i.-,S convictions, the Commissioner remarks: "The police are Ireqitently eritieisetl for not suppressing all crime. ■ll,ev d» tla'ir l est with the means nt their disposal, and will continue to tit. «„ hut while the general public support the bookmaker, and sympathise with them, as indicated hy acquittals by juries of persons charged with hjokmaaing on clear evidence, it i» not *•<> fasy them as at first sight appears. The police have ht-eil active ip t liis direct ion during the year, anil large line- have keen inflicted hy magist rates." ,

CARRYING WEAPON'S. New /eiiliiml’s legislation lor the registration of arms is supported by experience in other countries. 'I he < 0111-!,,i--i<„,< r states that this subject was discussed at the recent international police conference held at New '"O', which representatives fmn huglaml. Ireland. Canada. .South Amenta anil nearly all the European States attended The carriage of firearms was referred to l.v those representing the ITiiled States a- "our national men-

ace" anti the practice of .iiriyiiig weapons was unanimously eondeinneil. an,l ownership of such weapons shown to he foolish anti unnecessary. Heavy license fees, ill) to ICO dollars, weie advocat'd for the right to posse.-s or transfer a. pistol. "This.” say- the toinmissioiier. ‘conlinns tlie opinion I have previously cx-nres-cl that the possession of pistols is quite iimieces-ary in this count r>. ami should te disec.uragcd in every |>ossihle wav. There ran he no doubt that, tliev oi.lv lead to loss of life, k-.th tcut ionaily and accidentally. Mmy serve no meflil purpose, and 111 the hand- of inexperienced persons, a- m .sl l-e-p ’,-table citizens are. they become a M.iir’-e of danger to the owner and Ins familv 'flic Act of ID-’U has nlretiilv proved u-eftil. ami will ttntume to do Some p-.ple resent not being allowed to land or purchase revolvers, | V f 11 it i>* only in very oxrentional that permits are granted, and as revolvers are constantly being siirrcmlerct! to tiie police In.- persons who no longer ,|,, s ire to he l.othered when the netesu;iry registration ehange of address it is „11 Tv a matter of time when the number held will he materially reduced."