9

H. 16

The conduct of the police during the twelve months has been satisfactory on the whole. Two sergeants and nineteen constables have been punished for breaches of Police Regulations, none of which was of a serious nature. The police generally of all ranks have shown zeal, and in many cases considerable ability, in the discharge of their duties. Traffic-control is becoming a serious problem. The increase in motor-vehicle traffic is considerable, and the good concrete roads laid down in the city and suburbs of Auckland lead to fast and in many cases reckless driving of speed vehicles. During the year six females and thirteen males have been killed by motor-vehicles ; fourteen of these deaths were caused by motor-cars, two by motortrucks, and three by motor-buses, while 113 persons were injured by motor-vehicles, some very seriously. There were also 153 collisions between motors and motors, motors and trams, and motors and safety-zones. During the Christmas holidays, when very large crowds attended the races at Ellerslie and the trots at Epsom, in addition to the seven city fixed points sixteen constables were placed at fixed points along the traffic routes, and as a result there was not a single motor accident while the roads were so policed. The population of the district continues to steadily increase. Work and money appear to be plentiful—as witness the increase in drunkenness and the totalizator receipts at race meetings in and about the city during the year. Inspector Wohlman, Hamilton District. On the 31st March last the authorized strength was one Inspector, two Senior Sergeants, four sergeants, sixty-three constables, and two detectives, a total of seventy-two, being an increase of four constables compared with the 31st March last year. This increase has been distributed as follows : One constable to Hamilton and Te Kuiti as permanent increase, and one each to Tauranga, Putaruru, and Arapuni as a temporary increase due to large number of men employed in these districts on railwayconstruction and hydro-electrical works. The constable for Hamilton was taken from the strength at Waihi. The casualties during the year were —died, one constable; dismissed, one constable; resigned medically unfit, two constables; resigned voluntarily, two constables. The conduct of members of the Force in this district has, with one or two exceptions, been good. As recommended in 1923 and 1924, a sergeant should be put in charge at Frankton Junction, and the present strength of constables there increased by one to provide for at least one constable being on duty throughout the twenty-four hours. This is necessary owing to growth of this important part of Hamilton, and the increasing railway and motor traffic, particularly at night, when, at present, no constable is on duty. A station has been temporarily opened at Arapuni consequent on the large number of men employed at hydro-electric works there. The prosperity of the district is being maintained, and, except in the mining areas, population is increasing. The building trade has been active, and there has been little or no unemployment. The right of trial by jury given to bookmakers continues to be one of the chief difficulties met by the police in their efforts to suppress the betting evil. The offences return for the year ending 31st December, 1924, shows 2,212 offences reported, compared with 2,036 for the previous twelve months, being an increase of 176. Of the offences reported 2,109, or 95-3 per cent., were accounted for by arrest or summons. Of 132 persons committed for trial, 115 were convicted. The sly-grog selling evil is being effectively dealt with. During the year fines totalling £396 were imposed. Inspector Hdtton, Gisborne District. The authorized strength of the Police Force in the Gisborne District on the 31st March, 1925, was one Inspector, one Senior Sergeant, three sergeants, one detective, twenty-s'x constables, and two Native constables, a total of thirty-four. During the year the strength of the Force has been increased by one constable, who is stationed at Kaiti. During the year a suitable house was purchased at Taneatua and a new station opened there. A new station was also opened at Kaiti, a suburb of Gisborne. No stations have been closed. There has been no casualty during the year. For the year ended 31st December, 1924, the total number of offences reported was 1,039, as against 945 for the previous year, an increase of 94. Arrests or summonses resulted in 1,024 cases, leaving 15 unaccounted for. Of the cases dealt with, 76 were committed for trial, and 73 resulted in convictions. 878 were summarily convicted, and 70 discharged. The general conduct of the police has been good, and their duties satisfactorily performed, during the year. The population of the district is slightly increasing, and there is a marked degree of prosperity and spending-power over late years observable. Owing to the improvement in the roads and highways in the district there is a breaking-down of that isolation which in the past has retarded this district's advancement and success.

2—H. 16.