SERIOUS CRIME

Hokitika Guardian, 30 August 1930, Page 2

SERIOUS CRIME

SLIGHT INCREASE REPORTED. WELLINGTON, Aug, 28, A slight increase in serious crime in New Zealand i|n noted in the annual report of the Police Department presented in the House yesterday. •For the year which ended on December 31 last, 1467. offences under this heading were reported, compared with 1415 offences reported In 1928. Arrests resulted in 1132 cases against 960 during the corresponding period. Burglary headed the list with 1092 cases, an increase of 106, forgery being, next with 146 offences, a decrease of 62: . Six npmlers were reported and arrests resulted in five cases. In 1928 there were two murders and two arrests. Til© total number of offences under all headings reported during the year was 34,250 from which 31,575 arrests or summonses resulted. This is an increase of 1112 on the 1928 figures. There was an increase of 209 in the number of prosecutions for drunkenness. The number' charged, was 6810, comprising) 6401 nudes and 319 females, as against 6601 in 1928. Seme 34 per- cent of males and 49.5 per cent of females had previous convictions recorded agairrst them. Fines totalling £5054 were imposed as a result of prosecutions in connection with Obookinaking. There were 172 prosecutions and 147 convictions.