DECREASE REPORTED IN SERIOUS CRIMES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3989, 24 August 1929, Page 4

DECREASE REPORTED IN SERIOUS CRIMES.

OUR EFFICIENT POLICE,

In tabling the Police Department’s annual report in the House the Hon. T. M. Wilforcl (Minister of Justice) called attention to the fact that the percentage of arrests or summonses arising from offences last year was 92.4. The report shows that offences increased by 994. There were decreases to the extent of 283 in drunkenness, 357 in gaming offences, 115 in burglary and shopbreaking, while the principal cause of the net rise in the business of the Police Courts was the prosecution of 3618 motorists for various breaches, an increase of 1506 compared with the previous year. ■Serious crimes reported * were 1415, showing a decrease of 105 but the arrests were only 960, compared with 1081 in the previous year.

The number of prosecutions against hotel keepers shows an increase of 158. There were 667 such prosecutions, resulting in 361 convictions. Thirty-seven prosecutions for selling liquor without a license resulted in 36 convictions and there were also 50 prosecutions, resulting in 44 convictions, fo<r other offences against the provisions of the licensing Act in force in no-license districts. Fines imposed on sly grog sellers amounted to £BB2. •

Gaming offences involved 319 prosecutions, resulting in 295 convictions, as against 670 prosecutions and 576 convictions in 1927. Bookmakers to the number of 79 were convicted and contributed £2446 in fines. Revenue from convictions in 18162 offences provided £21,664 to the Consolidated Fund, £8052 to the Main Highways fund and £935 to local bodies. The Commissioner of Police states that the general conduct of members of the force lias been most creditable. -Comparatively few defaulters had been dealt with for breaches of discipline, or misconduct and the efficiency of the force has been well maintained. The improvement in pay and service conditions has attracted many young men of good education and excellent physique to the force and the resultant improvement is as advantageous as it is noticeable. Owing to many demands for increased police protection throughout the Dominion, the services of an* additional 30 constables are necessary to meet present requirements.