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The conduct of the men on the whole has been very good. The criminal statistics for the year show 2,626 offences reported, 2,547 of which have either resulted in arrests or summonses, and been dealt with by the Courts, leaving 79 undetected offences. A good number of these were cases in which the property could not be identified, and some few were very doubtful. However, the undetected cases work out at about 3 per cent, of the whole number of cases reported. The total number of offences shows a slight increase ont he figures for 1906—viz., 221 offences. There is an increase of 159 in drunkenness alone, 46 in disobeying summonses, 49 in breaches of the peace. Offences against property, thefts, &c, have materially decreased in number. The increase in drunkenness is mostly attributable to Taihape, where there were 187 persons arrested for drunkenness in 1907, as against 107 the previous year. No doubt this was due to the vigorous efforts made to suppress this offence in that township. There have been 40 prosecutions against publicans for breaches of the Licensing Acts, and 10 convictions. There have been 10 prosecutions against sly-grog sellers, resulting in fines amounting to £125 being inflicted, and four men were sent to gaol for terms of imprisonment, without the option of paying a fine.

Inspector Ellison, Wellington Disteict. I am pleased to say that the prosperity of the district has been well maintained, and a very marked increase of population and buildings is apparent, both in town and country. The expansion of the City of Wellington referred to in my last annual report has been maintained for the past year, entailing mere demands for police services, and increased work for attention. The increases during the past year have been 1 man to the detective staff, 1 constable at Kilbirnie, where a station was opened on the 20th November, 1907, and 1 constable at Island Bay, where a station was opened on the 3rd March last. During the year 1 constable died, 1 sergeant and 2 constables were discharged on pension, 2 constables were dismissed, and 9 resigned. Turning to the work done by the police during the year, 5,564 persons were arrested or summoned as against 4,872 for the previous year. The total number of offences reported being 5,739 for 1907, against 5,000 for 1906. The principal increase of arrests are —Drunkenness, 486; gaming offences, 49; thefts, 38; thefts by employees, 21; obstructing police, 30; obscene language, 16; housebreaking, 21; disobeying orders of Court, 22; indecent exposure or behaviour, 27. Decreases appear under —Assaults on police, 29 ; assault and robbery, 17 ; cruelty to animals, 16; disorderly and riotous conduct, 27; illegally on premises, 35; stowaways on ships, 13; attempted suicide, 10; thefts of cattle and horses, 5 ; and thefts from dwellings, 17. The work of the detective staff has been very heavy during the year, and has been creditably carried out. Many cases showing exceptionally intelligent work with good results have occurred.

Inspector Black, Greymodth District. The strength of the Force on the 31st March last was —1 Inspector, 5 sergeants, 29 constables, 1 detective, and 1 district constable, being 2 constables in excess of the authorised strength shown on the previous year's report. Two constables resigned during the year, 1 constable was discharged as being medically unfit, and 1 constable was drowned at Blackball. The conduct of the men as a whole throughout the district has been good, although in a few cases I was obliged to inflict small pecuniary punishments on certain constables for neglect of duties. The criminal statistics for the year are 561 offences reported, against 574 on the previous year, showing a slight decrease, and no very serious offences worthy of mention have taken place. Proceedings were taken against persons for 526 of the 561 offences alluded to, thus leaving about 6 per cent, of the total number unaccounted-for, and I am satisfied a large number of the latter were doubtful cases. During the year there were 30 prosecutions against publicans for breaches of the Licensing Acts, resulting in 18 convictions, as against 15 prosecutions and 11 convictions during the previous year. The Gaming and Lotteries Act Amendment of 1907 was a much-needed measure, and will be of great assistance to the police in keeping in check the growing evil of gambling. Section 42 of " The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904," has been of very great assistance to the police in preventing after-hours and Sunday trading.

Inspector Gillies, Christchurch District. On the 31st March last the strength of the Force was 138 men of all ranks, made up as follows ." Inspector, 1; Sub-Inspectors, 2 ; station sergeant, 1; sergeants, 13 ; constables, 110 ; detectives, 6 ; acting-detectives, 5. There is a surgeon and matron attached to the Christchurch Station,

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