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Inspector Mathieson, Napier District. On the 31st March, 1925, the authorized strength of the Force in this district was fifty-two, made up as follows : One Inspector, two Senior Sergeants, four sergeants, one detective-sergeant, one detective, thirty-nine constables, two temporary constables, one district constable, and one police surgeon. The strength has not been increased or decreased since last annual report. A sergeant is required at the Spit, also an extra constable at the same place. There is a very large amount of merchandise stored there, and the amount of shipping is increasing. Two more constables are required at Hastings, also an officer of higher rank than a sergeant. This is growing a very important station, with a population of about fifteen thousand. There has been no new station opened and none closed during the year. Three constables voluntarily resigned during the year. The offences return for the year ending 31st December, 1924, shows a total of 1,293 offences reported, as compared with 1,244 during the previous year, making an increase of 49. Of the offences reported 1,249 are accounted for by arrests or summonses, leaving 44 cases undetected. Of the cases dealt with 64 were committed for trial, 1,078 summarily convicted, and 107 dismissed ; 49 of those committed for trial were convicted. There has been no serious crime in this district during the year. The police duties in this district during the past year have been carried out in a satisfactory manner. The conduct of the police has been good. There were not many breaches of the Police Regulations requiring to be dealt with. The population of this district is increasing. The town of Hastings is growing very fast, and requires more police supervision, as already stated. Inspector Murray, New Plymouth District. The authorized strength of the police in this district on the 31st March last was one Inspector, one Senior Sergeant, four sergeants, one detective-sergeant, twenty-six constables, and one temporary constable, there being an increase of one constable to New Plymouth Station. As stated in my last report, another constable is required at Stratford. The population of this subdistrict is increasing and the present strength—one sergeant and three constables—does not provide a sufficient day and night patrol. The subdistrict is large, and the time of one constable is almost fully taken up making inquiries, collecting agricultural statistics, &c. Another detective is also required at New Plymouth to assist the detective-sergeant. Although there has been marked success in the detection of crime, there is sufficient work to warrant the services of another detective in the district. Dnring the year one sergeant and one constable were retired on superannuation, the latter being medically unfit for further duty. The offences return for this district shows that in 1924 a total of 802 offences was reported, as compared with 764 the previous year; 737 were accounted for by arrest or summons, leaving 65 undetected. The conduct of the police has been good, and the duties satisfactorily performed. The population of New Plymouth is steadily increasing and the large amount of produce being handled at the Breakwater is evidence of the prosperity of the district. Inspector Mcllveney, Wanganui District. The strength of the Force in the district on the 31st March last past was forty-two, which, since last return was furnished, shows an increase of one, at Taumarunui. Wanganui being the Dominion's fifth civic centre, the population now having passed the twenty-five thousand mark, necessity for an increase in the strength of the Force for the proper carrying-out of city police work naturally follows. So far there has not been a sergeant in charge of the night-duty section, and in my opinion the time has arrived for better supervision in this respect. There are only two detectives here to attend to plain-clothes and criminal work throughout the district, which number is insufficient to successfully cope with same. I respectfully recommend that the city strength be increased by one sergeant, one detective, and three constables, with a view to efficient service owing to growing population. During the year a new station was opened at Ohura, and a married constable placed in charge. Matiere, which was a single man's station in the same district, has consequently been closed. The number of offences reported during the year ended 31st December, 1924, was 1,065, as against 1,138 for the year 1923, a decrease of 73. This return considering the population and area of the district, shows little serious crime during the year, and the number of offences detected displays aptitude on the part of both branches of the service. The conduct of the Force generally during the year has been satisfactory, there being only three defaulters dealt with under the Police Regulations. The district is prosperous, and the population is increasing, more especially in the city and suburbs. Inspector Simpson, Palmerston North. On the 31st March, 1925, the authorized strength of the Force in the Palmerston North District was forty-three : including one one Senior Sergeant, one detective-sergeant, two detectives, three sergeants, thirty-four constables, and one temporary constable. As recommended in my previous report, three additional constables are required at Palmerston North to fully staff the beats and at the same time make the necessary allowances for escort duties, leave, sickness, &c. An additional constable is required at Feilding, so that a night patrol of the town may'be provided. The necessity of a new station at Marton Junction, as recommended for the past