H.—l6.

In the Auckland Branch the finger-print collection totalled 3,924 sets of prints on the 31st March, 1934. During the year 548 sets of finger-prints were received from the Mount Eden Prison or taken at this branch, and were duly classified, searched, and filed. The photographs of 164 prisoners were taken and 961 prints were taken from the negatives. Numerous photographs were taken in miscellaneous cases, such as scenes of crimes, &c., and were produced in Court. The total number of photographs produced by the branch during the year was 2,756 (including a portion of those required in the Ruawaro murder trial). Five volumes of New South Wales prisoners' photographs (1,500 photos) were received, ca,rd indexed, and the cards filed in order of finger-print classification. The remanded-prisoner forms with the results of the cases for 261 prisoners were dealt with and returned to the Criminal Registration Branch at Wellington. In fifteen cases offenders were traced by their finger-prints as having been previously convicted, &c. In three cases finger-prints left by offenders when committing crimes were identified ; and the offenders arrested and charged with the offences and convicted at the Auckland Supreme Court—one being a case of safe-blowing. Police Buildings, etc. The following works in connection with police-stations have been carried out- during the year by the Public Works Department:— A site for a police-station was acquired at Runanga, additional land was purchased at Taradale, and additions were made to the police-station at Portobello. Repairs, renovations, and improvements were effected at a number of stations, the principal being Mangonui, Rawene, Maungaturoto, Dargaville, Kaitaia, Kaikohe, Auckland Central, Papakura, Point Chevalier, Hamilton, Rotorua, Taupo, Manunui, Te Kuiti, Gisborne, Tokomaru Bay, Patutahi, Wanganui East, Wanganui (inspector's residence), Waverley, Bulls, Levin, Nuhaka, Waipawa, Wellington North, Taranaki Street (Wellington), Mount Cook (Wellington), Greytown, Wellingt on Central, Carterton, Collingwood, Picton, Port Nelson, Richmond, Wakefield, Motueka, Blackball, Westport, Greymouth, Christchurch, Belfast, Lincoln, St. Albans, Woolston, Methven, Linwood, Lyttelton, Chatham Islands, Amberley, Timaru, Pleasant Point, Oamaru, Balclutha, Middlemarch, Waikouaiti, Dunedin Central, Mosgiel, Lawrence, Queenstown, Tapanui, Bluff, and Wyndham. General. Recruiting.—Although the financial stringency has continued to prevent the opening of the Police Training Depot since it was closed in July, 1930, it is hoped circumstances will permit of it being reopened early in 1935. The constables appointed since 1930 have received such training as could be given them at the stations to which they were appointed, but, in view of the increasing ratio of constables who have not had the benefit of depot training, it is becoming increasingly desirable that future recruits receive the very necessary grounding in their duties that can best be given in the Training Depot. Conduct. Again this year it is gratifying to be again able to report upon the continued good conduct of the members of the service, their devotion to duty, and the success attending their efforts. The Detective Branch has maintained its efficiency. The high percentage of detected offences mentioned last year has been maintained. Social Conditions.—The gratifying reduction in social unrest commented upon last year has been continued. Conditions, happily, are becoming more normal. Extracts from reports of officers in charge of districts are appended. W. G. Wohlmann, Commissioner of Police.

EXTRACTS FROM THE ANNUAL REPORTS OF OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF DISTRICTS. Inspector O'HarA, Whangarei District. There has been a decrease of offences reported during the year —viz., 1,184, against 1,366 for the previous year, resulting in 1,089 prosecutions. There has been a decrease in thefts and mischief. The only serious crime was the murder on the night of the Bth January, 1933, of a Maori farmer residing with his wife and family at Pukepoto, near Kaitaia. A Maori youth was arrested for the offence, but was acquitted at the Auckland (Supreme Court. The conduct of the members of the Force in this district has been good, only two constables being dealt with for breaches of the Police Regulations. Superintendent Till, Auckland District. I regret to have to report the deaths of three members of the Force during the year : DetectiveSergeant M. O'Sullivan, in the prime of life and usefulness in the Force ; Constable W. Mclnness, on the eve of his retirement; and Constable J. Shields, a young man who was fatally injured in a motor accident at the level-crossing at Huntly Railway-station. The chief increases in offences reported were burglary, obscene language, and negligent or reckless driving. The chief decreases were : Thefts, house or shop breaking, drunkenness, vagrancy, unlawfully using motor-cars, and failing to maintain wives, &c. The returns show a marked decrease in the number of cases reported—namely, 872.

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