H.—l6

We had a good deal of serious crime last year, including a shooting case, which, fortunately, did not prove fatal. This shooting was a case where two men stole a car in Christchurch and drove out to Woodend, broke into a grocery store and were packing up goods for removal when they were disturbed by the storekeeper, who appeared on the scene with a loaded shot-gun. He fired a shot in the air to frighten the burglars, when one of the burglars fired at him with a revolver. The burglar fired three shots altogether, one of them inflicting slight injury. He was convicted of the offence of discharging a firearm with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and for this and fourteen offences of burglary he was sentenced to five years' imprisonment. The same two men were implicated in another burglary at Sydenham, where they broke into a warehouse. One of them was armed with a loaded revolver, and when disturbed by civilians cleared out of the warehouse, but was chased by three civilians and a constable and captured. During the pursuit he several times turned on his pursuers and threatened them with the loaded revolver. A similar case happened in Fendalton on the 26th February last, when a criminal broke into a dwelling and stole some jewellery. He was disturbed by the maid, who followed him to the tramstop where she pointed him out to some civilians. They chased him through the park, waded the Avon River, and assisted the Police, who had been informed of the theft, to effect his arrest. The action of the civilians in both cases deserves the highest praise, as it was due to their efforts, combined with the quick despatch of Police officials to their assistance, that the offenders were brought to justice. I cannot too highly commend their action. We have had a good number of burglaries from warehouses, shops, and dwellings during the year, but lam pleased to report that, except in a few of the minor cases, all have been detected. There has been a decrease in the number of arrests for drunkenness, and a decided decrease in cases brought under the Destitute Persons Act. Offences under the Motor-vehicles Act are still on the increase. A great deal of time is taken up investigating motor accidents and alleged breaches of the Act. The detective staff has had another strenuous year, and I am pleased to be able to say their work has been very successful; there is little undetected crime in the district. The uniform branch of the Service has co-operated well with the detective staff, and both branches, with their officers, have worked together very harmoniously. Inspector O'Halloran, Timaru District. The strength at Timaru Station was increased by one constable during the year to provide for a regular constable as Night Watch-house Keeper between the hours from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. The total number of offences reported for the year ended 31st December, 1934, was 813, as against 733 for the previous year, being an increase of 80. An unmarried woman was charged with the murder of her newly-born child at Timaru on the 12th June, 1934. At the Supreme Court, the grand jury brought in "No Bill "in this case. Some changes were found necessary for the working of Timaru Police-station, and a very decided improvement has been shown by the change. Some of the younger members of the Force have shown great keenness in their duty. Two constables were dealt with for minor breaches of Police Regulations. Superintendent Fraser, Dunedin District. An increase of five constables is required, four for the city and one at Mosgiel. On account of the amount of relieving duty to be performed, sickness, escort, and other causes, at no time during the year have I been able to send out a full relief on either day or night duty to fill all the beats. This means that a constable only works part of two beats, and the business part of the town is not sufficiently patrolled. The offences return for the year ended 31st December, 1934, shows the total number of all offences committed to be 2,324, compared with 2,319 for the previous twelve months, being an increase of 5. Of all offences reported, 2,199 were accounted for by arrest or summons, leaving 125 undetected, or 95 per cent, detected. Of the cases dealt with, 77 males and 38 females were committed for trial or sentence, and of these, 64 males and 38 females were convicted. No serious crimes were committed during the year. Increases occurred under the headings of false pretences, forgery, breaches of the peace, assaulting, obstructing, or resisting constables, failing to maintain wives and children, reckless or negligent driving, and other breaches of the Motor-vehicles Act. There were decreases under the headings of false statements and declarations, assaults, thefts, drunkenness, unlawfully using horses, motor-vehicles, &c, breaches of prohibition orders, found on licensed premises after closing hours, being intoxicated in charge of motor-vehicle. The general conduct of the Police during the past twelve months has been good and their duties satisfactorily performed. Two constables were fined for breaches of the Regulations, and one constable dismissed. Inspector Gibson, Invercargill District. The offences return for the year ended 31st December, 1934, shows a total of 1,317 offences reported. This is an increase of 277 on the previous year's figures. The principal increases were negligently driving motor-cars, thefts (common), thefts by clerks or servants, forgery, and failing to maintain wives and children. The decreases were in house or shop breaking, being intoxicated in charge of motor-vehicle, and other breaches of Motor-vehicles Act. The only serious crime reported during the year was the robbery of a garage, the proprietor being threatened with a loaded firearm. The offenders were arrested and sentenced. The conduct of members of the Force during the year was good. Four constables were fined for minor breaches of Police Regulations.

10