H.—l6

10

forgery, 6; neglected and criminal children, 21; and obscene language, 12. There has been a marked decrease (78) in crimes involving dishonesty, which is ver}' satisfactory ; but sexual offences of all kinds show a total increase of II over the previous year, the figures being 17 for 1916, as against 8 for 1915. Of the total number of offences reported over 96 per cent, were accounted for either by arrest or summons. Fifty-three persons were committed for trial, of whom 41 were subsequently convicted. There have been no crimes during the year that call for special mention, and the district generally has maintained its reputation as a law-abiding well-conducted one. Sly-grog selling, although no doubt carried on to a certain extent in some parts of the district, is not prevalent, and few complaints have been received. There were 7 prosecutions during the year, as compared with 8 tin' previous year, and the fines inflicted amounted to £41 125., as against £145 in 1915. The War Regulation dealing with houses of ill fame has proved a distinct help to the police in dealing with one-woman brothels, and I would suggest that it be embodied in the statute law. Inspector. Phair, Hamilton District. The authorized strength of the district on the 31st March, 1917, was: 1 Inspector, 2 senior sergeants, 5 sergeants, 58 constables, 1 detective-sergeant, 2 district constables, and 3 Native constables. During the past year the strength of the district was increased by one by the appointment of a second constable at Ngaruawahia. Further additions to the strength are required as under : Hamilton, I sectional sergeant and 1 constable; Frankton Junction, I constable; Rotorua, I constable; Whakatane, 1 constable; and Te Awamutu, I constable. During the year the detective-sergeant was transferred from Thames to Hamilton, thus placing him in a central position from which he can more conveniently work the various parts of the district. A sectional sergeant and another constable are urgently needed at Hamilton Station, as tin- work is increasing so fast, that it is impossible for the senior sergeant to attend to office-work and the Court, and at the same linn' properly supervise the constables performing street duty. A second constable is also badly needed at each of the four stations aforesaid, so that proper attention may be given to the work of the respective subdistricts. One constable was discharged during the j'ear on resignation. The offences return for 1916 shows that 1,871 offences were reported, as compared with 2,136 for the previous year, a decrease of 265. Increases appear under the following heads : Threatening behaviour, 10; arson, 7; common assault, 14; burglary, 21; counselling offences, 11 ; cruelty to animals, 12; mischief, 16; obscene language, 10; perjury, 7; theft of cattle, 6; theft of postal packets, 9. There were decreases in—Disorderly conduct, 10; drunkenness, 157; failing to provide, 23 ; false pretences, 13; gaming offences, I 6 ; sly-grog selling, 30; vagrancy, 46. Of the total number of offences reported, over 96 per cent, were detected or accounted for either by arrest or summons. Most of the increases are of the usual class of offences met with in scattered country districts, where greater facilities exist for the commission of offences than in towns. These remarks apply more particularly to the 21 cases of burglary. In respect to the decreases, the most noticeable is that in drunkenness, which shows a decrease of 157. This reduction is clearly attributable to the anti-shouting regulations. Sly-grog selling is still giving the police in the King-country a good deal of trouble, although the illicit trade in liquor has not been carried on to the same extent as heretofore. During the year the sum of £1,111 was imposed in fines for the offence, of which £930 was imposed in the King-country. This shows a reduction of £664 as compared with the previous year. The conduct of members of the Force in this district during the past year has been excellent (with one exception, since resigned). They have zealously performed their duties, and in no part of the district has there been the slightest friction with the public. Inspector McGrath, Napier District. On the 31st March last the authorized strength of the district was 68 of all ranks. The total is made up as follows : I Inspector, 1 Sub-Inspector, 2 senior sergeants, 5 sergeants, 54 constables, 1 detective-sergeant, 2 detectives, 2 district constables. During the year the following increases were authorized : 1 sergeant at Tokomaru Bay, 1 constable at Te Araroa, and I constable at Wairoa. The placing of a sergeant at Tokomaru Bay has proved a great success, and with his co-operation and assistance a more satisfactory state, of affairs already prevails on the East Coast. Ngatapa Station has been closed, as a constable is no longer needed at that station owing to the railway-works at Ngatapa being practically stopped. The total number of offences reported during the year 1916 was 1,703, as compared with 2,16!) for year 1915, showing a decrease of 466 offences. Of the 1,703 offences reported, 1,613 resulted in prosecutions, leaving a total of 90 undetected offences. The following are the principal increases and decreases: Increases—False pretences, 12; indecent publications, 3; theft (attempted), 4; theft by servants, 4; vagrancy, 6, Decreases—-Abusive, insulting, and