H.—l6

4

About the average number Of constables have been punished for breaches of police discipline, and one constable was brought before the Magistrate's Court for undue violence when making an arrest. One case calling for special mention was a complaint made with regard to the wrongful arrest of a gentleman at Auckland, which was duly reported, and was dealt with by the Hon. the Minister of Justice. With the foregoing exceptions, the conduct of the men in this district has been good.

Inspectob J. Emebson, Napieb and East Coast. I have the honour to report on the Napier and East Coast District for the year ended 31st March, 1897, as follows :— The criminal statistics for the year ended 31st December, 1896, show 1,225 offences of various kinds to have been reported, and 1,147 arrests made, 89 cases being submitted to the Supreme Court for decision. This is a decrease of 135 cases for the year 1896 as compared with the number of offences reported during the previous year. The only very serious case which occurred during the past twelve months is a charge now pending against two young men for the murder of an old man at Napier, the latter having been assaulted and robbed, and, according to medical evidence, his death was the result of violence used on that occasion. The strength of the district on the 31st March last was one inspector, two sergeants, thirtyeight constables, one detective, two district constables, five Native constables, and fifteen troophorses. The casualties are as follows: One death, one discharged as medically unfit, and one by resignation. The conduct of the non-commissioned officers and constables has, with one or two exceptions, been satisfactory. Tauranga and Te Whaiti Stations have been reduced in strength by the transfer of the sergeant at each place,.and leaving a constable only in charge. A district constable has been appointed at Tokaanu, and a Native constable at Tuparoa. The Moawhango Sub-district has been taken from this district and attached to Wanganui and West Coast District, access to Moawhango from the latter district being much easier and more convenient than from Napier, the only means of communication from Napier being by coach, a distance of over ninety miles. Several stations require extensive repairs. A separate report will be furnished on this subject. The uniform clothiDg worn by the men in this district during the hot summer months appears to be far too heavy for comfort, and I would respectfully recommend that a fine and serviceable serge be issued for summer wear, in lieu of the heavy tweed now worn summer and winter.

Inspectob F. McGoveen, Wanganui and West Coast. In compliance with your Circular No. 18, of the 2nd April, requesting a report on the Wanganui and West Coast Police District during the twelve months ended the 31st March, I have the honour to state, for your information, that the strength at present is one Inspector, three sergeants, thirtyone constables, and two district constables. On the 13th March a new station was opened at Baetihi; and Moawhango Station, formerly in the Napier District, has been transferred to the Wanganui and West Coast District. lam pleased to say that during the past year there has been little or no trouble caused by the Natives in this district. In the month of October last there was a dispute between Te Whiti's and Tohu's people over the cropping of some land near Oeo, a place situated between Opunake and Manaia. A number of Natives from Parihaka assembled, with their ploughs, &c, to crop some land in the occupation of Tohu's people; the latter resisted, and made out Te Whiti's followers were trespassers, and for some days there was great uneasiness amongst the peaceable Natives in the locality. At the request of Mr. Fisher, agent for the Public Trustee under the West Coast Settlements Act, I accompanied him, together with Constable Twomey, to the place in dispute. The contending parties seemed pleased at our arrival. Mr. Fisher explained matters to them, and pointed out the position they would be in providing they caused a disturbance, or broke the peace, &c. lam glad to say both sides took Mr. Fisher's advice, for since that time there has been no disturbance caused, and doubtless the land in dispute has been arranged by the Public Trustee. The monthly meetings still go on at Parihaka, but, owing to Te Whiti and Tohu being bad friends, the Natives do not assemble in large numbers. While attending these meetings the behaviour of the Natives is generally very good, and European visitors receive every attention and kindness from Te Whiti, &c. With regard to the notoriety of the King-country for illegal trafficking in sly-grog selling, and which, I believe, is still carried on to a certain extent amongst the Natives and Europeans, in the month of March last Mr. Inspector Hickson kindly sent some of the Auckland police to Kawhia, which is in this district, and they cleverly succeeded in detecting a number of Native sly-grog sellers in and around Kawhia, also one European. If eases are proved, and the Bench inflicts substantial fines, it may probably go a great way in preventing the illegal liquor traffic in out-of-the-way places like Kawhia. Referring to your Circular No. 4, current Police Gazette, page 14, in reference to supplying liquor to female aboriginal Natives, to prevent this evil in a Native district like this is a most difficult task. Native men will obtain liquor and smuggle it to their wives in all shapes and forms;