7

H.—l6

for the shortage in the police numbers which happened notwithstanding diminished seriously that full measure of assistance which the Police Department was willing to give in aid of military affairs. The reports of police officers in Great Britain and some of the dominions indicate that where a different policy was pursued at an early stage of the war the Police Forces were seriously crippled as time advanced, and their efficiency as an adjunct to the military was very much diminished. In this connection it is opportune to record that in all their relations and in the most pressing conditions no friction occurred between the military and police service : the utmost goodwill and harmony have been maintained, so that the best result possible in all circumstances has been achieved. I desire especially to acknowledge the considerate concern evinced at all times for the exigencies of police requirements by the Commandant, the Chief of the General Staff, the Adjutant-General, the Director of Personal Services, and their respective staffs when making requests for the assistance and co-operation of the police. Similar observations apply to the Naval Adviser and his staff. In September, 1917, a Sub-Inspector of Police was detailed to assist the Naval Adviser's staff in the supervision of wharves and shipping and in enforcing the War Regulations relating thereto. This arrangement has worked quite satisfactorily, with advantage to the police service as well as to the Naval Adviser's Department. The question of making adequate provision for police-stations where police -establishments already exist throughout the country is very urgent. Until recent years the necessity for acquiring land and building police offices and other accommodation in centres where it was quite certain that police must be permanently maintained appears to have been all but completely ignored. For want of premises of its own the Department was obliged to rent unsuitable houses to provide accommodation, and from time to time suitable properties offered at favourable prices have been refused on the score, of economy. In this way opportunities for meeting the Department's legitimate wants, of effecting economy and acquiring properties which would in course of time so much appreciate that they would now be valuable public assets, have been lost. The consequence is that in some places the Department is now homeless, and retains possession of rented premises only by the special favour of the owners, or on payment of exorbitant rents. For this cause the cost of maintenance of the Force is increasing from year to year without any corresponding benefit. The value as a recruiting agency and attraction to the ranks of the Police Force of well-appointed, comfortable residences for men in charge of stations was so well understood by your predecessor, and is so much appreciated by, yourself, that I trust this phase of police administration will become a cardinal feature of your departmental policy when the cessation of war may lead to a reduction to reasonable limits of the cost of new buildings. The satisfaction of members of the Force with their lot and with their actual situation is very much bound up with this matter. Again I am able to repeat, my commendation of the manner in which all ranks discharged the multifarious duties devolving upon them during the stressful continuance of the war. Though diminished in actual numbers, depleted still more by the breakdown in health of many of the men from time to time, those who remained, and these as they recovered, discharged their arduous duties with alacrity and thoroughness and without regard to personal consideration. All who remained at their posts in the police service have done their share in the task of winning the war, and they deserve all the consideration that can be extended to them. Reports op Officers in charge op Districts, Extracts from the annual reports of officers in charge of districts are hereto annexed. J. O'DONOVAN, Commissioner of Police.

EXTRACTS FROM ANNUAL REPORTS OF OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF DISTRICTS. Superintendent Kiisly, Auckland District. The strength of the Force in the district on the 31st March last was 1 Superintendent, 1 Inspector, 1 Sub-Inspector, 3 senior sergeants, 20 sergeants, 127 permanent constables, 17 temporary constables, 1 Chief Detective, 1 detective-sergeant, 5 detectives: total, 177, being 3 detectives and 3 constables short of the authorized strength. In addition to the above there were 5 district constables, 4 Native constables, and 2 matrons. During the year there were —Deaths, 1 senior sergeant and 1 constable; superannuated, 1 senior sergeant and 1 constable; voluntary resignations, I senior sergeant, I detective, 8 permanent constables, and 4 temporary constables. For the year ending 31st December last 4,745 offences were reported, as against 5,105 in the preceding year, a net decrease of 360. Of the total number of offences reported over 96 per cent, were accounted for by either arrest or summons. The following are the principal increases and decreases: Increases —Abusive, insulting, or threatening words or behaviour, 23; common assaults, 25 ; assaults occasioning bodily harm, 23; burglary, 26 ; cruelty to animals, 40; failing to provide maintenance for wives, &c, 34; false, pretences, 21 ; gaming offences, 36; incest, 11 ; indecent exposure, 27; introducing liquor into Maori pa, 22; malicious injury to property, 12;