CRIMINAL RETURNS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 335, 19 January 1889, Page 5

CRIMINAL RETURNS.

The police have jusb finished the compilation of the crime veporls for the Auckland district. A perusal of the return shows that there has been a decrease of crime in Auckland as compared with the returns for 1887. The total number of offences reported last year was 2,298, and 2,106 arrests were made. Of this number 1,020 males and 328 females were summarily convicted, and 84 males and 5 females comruitted for trial, whereas 150 males and 19 females were discharged. Such a result reflects credit upon the police authorities, proving, as it doo c , that generally speaking, there must have been good cause for the arrests when only 169 escaped conviction. Under the heading of •' Arson,' a decided increase is shown for 1888. No less than twelve offences weie reported, and fise convictions recorded, showing an ineiease of eight over the previous year, when only seven cases wereieported. Common assaults for the year number 112, but even this shows a decrease of 3, and assaults geuerally are less in number. Bankruptcy fraud shows an increase of one, and breaches of the peace are increased by 20. Offences against the Coinage Act, 8 ; Customs offences, 4 ; attempted rape, 2 ; embezzlement, 6 ; forgery, 3 ; horsestealing, 3 ; housebreaking, 14 ; larceny - from a dwelling, 10 ; Naval deserters, stragglers, etc., 51. This is, of course, a minor offence, most of the cases being breaking leave while the squadron was in port. Unlawful pawning has also increased by 7. It will be. seen from this that attempted rape, housebreaking, and arson — three serious offences — show a decided increade for 1888. On the other hand it is gratifying to find that the number of psrsons committed to the Avondale Lunatic Asylum was less than the previous year by 19. As a sign of improved times it may be mentioned that the offences against the Destitute Pereons Act were less than in 1887, by 26. Drunkenness has decreased by 105. While this is pleasing, it must be borne in mind that 1,023 persons were arrested for this offence during 1888. Vagrancy has also decreased by 34, although 130 arrests were made. For using obscene language 43 persons were arrested. This also shows a decrease of 20. It is rather singular that while lunacy shows a decrease, its frequent attendant, suicide, has increased by thiee cases during the year. Unlawfully gaming decreased by 11, and larceny by 45. An appreciable decrease is also reported in the following offences : — False pretences, forcible entry, cattle maiming, malicious injury to pro--perty, perjury, resisting the police with violence, unlawful wounding, sheep stealing, threatening language, and Shipping and Seamen's Act. For last year no cases of libel or manslaughter aie reported. The increases in offences amount to 150, including the 51 stragglers from the Squadron, while the decrease in offences amounts to no less than 378.