H.—l6.

Superintendent Simpson, Palmeeston North District. One constable has been added to the strength at Palmerston North and one constable transferred from Otaki during the year. An alteration in the boundaries of the Otaki Sub-district rendered the services of a second constable there unnecessary. A new station, taking in a portion of the Johnsonville and Otaki Sub-districts, has been opened at Paekakariki during the year, as it was considered that the presence of a constable there would give a more efficient service to the townships and beaches in the locality. This station has been placed under the supervision of the Superintendent of Police, Wellington. The conduct of the Force in general has been very good, only four constables having been dealt with for breaches of regulations. The offences return shows the total number of offences reported as 1,447, as against 1,475 for 1929, a decrease of 28. Of this total 1,366 wea® dealt with by arrest or summons. The crime reported, which has been of the ordinary class, calls for no special comment other than that there appears to be a marked decrease in. drunkenness and breaches of the Licensing Act. Superintendent Emeeson, Wellington District. For the year ending 31st December, 1930, the total number of offences reported was 6,057, being an increase of 679 over last year. The principal increases were in theft, false pretences, house or shop breaking, breaches of peace, unlawfully using motor-cars, failing to maintain wives, &c., and breaches of the Motor-vehicles Act. The principal decrease was in drunkenness. There has been no serious crime during the year. The general conduct of the Force has been good. Twenty defaulters only were dealt with during the year for breaches of regulations. Inspector Lewin, Nelson Disteict. Two temporary stations were opened during the year —one at Wharanui and the other at Gowan Bridge. On account of the work being suspended on the Midland Railway construction works the station at Gowan Bridge has since been closed. For the year ending 31st December, .1930, the total number of offences reported was 1,182, compared with 788 for the previous twelve months, being an increase of 394. Of all offences reported, 1,067 were accounted for by arrest or summons, leaving 115 undetected. The main increases were in assaults, thefts, house-breaking, forgery, drunkenness, indecent language, vagrancy, gaming offences, failing to maintain wives and children, licensing offences, and breaches of the Motor-vehicles Act. There were no serious criminal offences during the year. The conduct,of the police in the district during the past year has been very satisfactory, there being no defaulters. By way of suggestion, I think that if the law were so amended as to give power of arrest (without warrant) of persons offending against section 2 (1) of the Gaming Amendment Act, 1910, it would go a long way towards suppressing betting by bookmakers. Inspector Fitzpatrick, Geeymouth Disteict. The offences return for the year ended 31st December, 1930, shows a total number of all offences to be 1,840, as compared with 1,627 for the previous year, being an increase of 213. The principal increase has been in respect to charges of theft; drunkenness; using profane, indecent, or obscene language ; vagrancy ; failing to pay maintenance-moneys ; found on licensed premises after hours. The decrease has been in respect to charges of mischief, intimidation to restrict lawful acts, selling or supplying liquor at unauthorized times, breaches of Motor-vehicles Act. The increase of crime during the past year was undoubtedly due to the floating population which was attracted to the district owing to the extensive road and railway construction works which were in operation. It is pleasing to note that no serious crimes were committed in the district during the year. The general conduct of members of the Force in the district has been good and the duties satisfactorily performed. There were no defaulters. Superintendent Bales, Christchurch District. A new police-station was opened at Parnassus on the Ist July, 1930. The totabnumber of offences reported during the year ended 31st December, 1930, was 4,217, as against 4,341 the previous year, a decrease of 124. The principal increases occurred in theft, breaches of the peace, unlawfully using motor-cars, failure to provide maintenance, and breaches of the Motorvehicles Act. The principal decreases occurred in theft from dwellings, obtaining credit by fraud, attempt to break and enter, arson, drunkenness, drunk in charge of vehicles, &c., obscene language, and vagrancy. The only crimes calling for special comment are two cases of murder. In one case a man was shot by another at Lake Coleridge ; the offender was found guilty of manslaughter. In the other case a female was charged with the murder of her infant at Waipara ; she was found guilty of concealment of birth. The conduct of members of the Force has been generally good. Fourteen constables have been dealt with for breaches of the regulations and one sergeant for neglect of duty. An appeal is pending in the latter case.

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