4

H.—l6

Return showing the Number of Persons arrested for Drunkenness on Sundays within each Principal Centre during the Years 1908-9 (Males and Females shown separately).

In attempting to draw conclusions from these figures it should be borne in mind that the number of charges does not represent the number of distinct and separate persons charged, as repeated charges against the same person are included in the total. Similarly, the number of persons shown as not previously convicted cannot be guaranteed as strictly accurate. A man may be convicted of drunkenness in, say, Auckland one week and in Dunedin the next, and unless the Dunedin police were aware of the previous conviction, which may or may not be the case, he would be shown in the Dunedin return as not previously convicted. 1 point this out as a caution against attempting to deduce, from the statistics given, conclusions that may not be justified by the actual facts. Prosecutions against Hotelkeepers. The number of prosecutions (213) against hotelkeepers during the year shows an increase of 36 as compared with the preceding year.

Return showing the Number of Prosecutions against Publicans in each District during the Year 1909 as compared with 1908, the Number convicted, and the Number discharged or withdrawn.

Return showing the Number of Prosecutions against Publicans within each Principal Centre during the Year 1909, the Number convicted, and the Number discharged or withdrawn.

Sly-grog. There were 235 prosecutions during the year for sly-grog selling, resulting in 154 convictions, against 158 prosecutions and 127 convictions during the preceding year. The difficulty in obtaining evidence In support of charges of sly-grog selling is increased by the disinclination of the general public to afford the police any assistance in this respect, and for this reason it is found necessary to resort to methods which are distasteful both to the public and the police. There is, however, no alternative unless the law-breakers are to be allowed to go their own way unchecked.

Number arrested. 1908. Number arrested, 1909. Number convicted, 1909. Nurr. discharj withdi 190 lber ged or rawn, 19. Centre. M. P. M. P. M. P. M. P. Auckland and suburbs ... Wellington and suburbs... 3hrisfcchurch and suburbs Dunedin and suburbs 19 26 18 7 2 4 2 1 23 32 19 9 6 3 2 23 32 19 9 6 3 o Totals ... 70 8a 11 83 11

District. Prosecution*, 1908. Proseoutions. n ■ ,• 1mn ' i (Jonvietions. 11)09. Discharged or withdrawn. Auckland Thames Napier Wanganui ... Wellington ... Grey mouth ... Cbristchurch Dunedin Invercargill ... 24 5 30 13 11 45 25 23 1 49 8 13 19 28 55 24 16 1 12 5 9 9 17 36 7 8 37 3 4 10 11 19 17 8 1 Totals ... 177 213 103 110

Cemre. Prosecutions. Convictions. Discharged or withdrawn. Auckland and suburbs Wellington and suburbs Christchurch and suburbs ... Dunedin and suburbs 16 10 5 5 16 10 5 5 6 1 O O 16 4 4 2 Totals ... 36 10 26