12

H.—l6

The Licensing Act Amendment of 1910 also proves of advantage to curtailing to some degree the. conditions under which liquor can be " stored " for friends or customers in no-license areas ; but so "one as no license prevails undei existing conditions, so long will there be plenty of scope foi the ingenuitx and activity of those who desire to circumvent the law. The conduct of the Force during the past year in this district lias been good. A few have been negligent or lazy, but it was found necessary to inflict fines in only eight cases during the past year. Consulerina the'restrictions and sometimes arduous duties of a constable's life this shows as good a result as could be expected. As usual, the detective etaff, as well as many of the uniform men, have done a great deal of very good work. I be* to ask that four additional constables may be, provided for during the current twelve monthsviz.. 3 for the head station at Lambton Quay, and 1 for assisting at Lyall Bay, Hataitai, Kilbinue, and Miramar next summer. . Three additional men are much needed at this station, as the frequent escorts, sickness, and relieving at country stations often leave the station short-handed.

Inspector Black, Greymouth District. The actual strength of the Force in this district on the 31st March, 1911, was 1 Inspector. 5 sergeants, 35 constables, and 1 detective ; total, 42, being an increase of 4 constables on previous year's strength. New stations were opened at Blackwater and Globe Mine, Keeiton. The conduct of the men has, on the whole, been good during the last twelve months although 11 bave been fined for negled of duty and breaches of regulations. I am pleased to state that with one exception there has not been a single case of intoxication or drunkenness amongst the men in this 8 The criminal statistics show 896 offences reported during the year ended 31st December, 1910, hem- an increase of 92 on previous year's total. Out of 896 offences reported, 850 are accounted for by Crests and summonses, leaving 46 offences undetected, or about 5 per cent, of the whole. Daring the year there were 82 prosecutions against publicans, resulting in 45 convictions, as against 55 prosecutions and 36 convictions in the previous year. Another constable is badly wanted at Reefton. T1... town, which has about 2,000 inhabitants, is left without any police protection whatever from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. each day. As there are only a sergeant and two constables stationed there, no other arrangement can be made. I hope that another constable will be sent there without delay. A police-station should also be opened at Cobden, and a married constable stationed there. Cobden}has>Tpopulalion*of about 1,200. It has'two hotels anrl a number of stores, and is growing " P1 The inhabitants of Millerton have petitioned that a police-station be opened there as soon as possible and the matter has been reported upon by the constable in charge of subdistrict, by Sergeant Dew. who is in charge of the Westport subdistrict, and by myself. I hope the Department will see its way to send three extra constables to this district as soon as possible, one each for Reefton, Oobden and Millerton. I put them down in the order I consider they are most required. The new police-station at Blackball has been finished, and the constable stationed there has taken possession of the premises.

Inspector Kiely, Christchurch District. On the 31st March last the strength of the Force was as follows : 1 Inspector, 2 Sub-Inspectors, 1 station sergeant, 13 sergeants. 101 constables, 8 detectives. :', acting-detectives. There is a matron and a surgeon attached to the Christchurcli Station. The casualties during the year were as follows : Resignations, 8 : discharged on superannuation, 3 : dismissed, nil; death. 1. The total number of offences reported during the year ended 31st December, 1910, was 3,984, and the number of persons apprehended or summoned 3,787. An increase of 492 offences is shown in comparison with the return for the year ended 31st December, 1909. The prim ipal mci .ffences for the year are as follows : Absconding from industrial schools, 27; burglary, breaking into shops, dwellings, I: , : disorderly and riotous conduct, 14 ; drunkenness. 149- failing to support parents and near relatives, 28 ; illegally on premises, 13 ; obscene and profane language, 36; refusing to quit licensed premises, 17; 9; theft by servants, 11 ; trespass, 54 ; and vagrancy, 47. The principal decreases for the yi alts on police, 5; begging, 6; breaches of the peace '■ disobeying orders on board ship 22; disobeying orders of the Court, 11 ; indecent exposure ,„■ behaviour, 0 ; keeping disorderly houses and brothels. I ; perjury, 6 ; soliciting prostitution, 27 ; and theft from dwellings, 7. There were 694 prosecutions under the Christchurch CSty by-laws, resulting in 675 convictions and 19 dismissals. The of bicycles reported as lost or stolen was 839 ;of this number, 659 were recovered, 634 claimed, and 25 are in the store, unclaimed.