389

This division shows that apart from the extraordinary expenditure incident upon the formation of a new Establishment, the cost of the Department has not been excessive; and had the service remained at its former number, the present Estimates would not have much exceeded the previous ones.

The necessity for the excess marked as “Initial Expenditure” will scarcely require explanation, when it is remembered that the whole of the arrangements and personnel of the department had, during this period, to be thoroughly revised, enlarged and adapted to circumstances very different from those, to meet which it was formerly supported. The Escort Service in particular was especially defective, and wagons, harness, &c., &c., had to be procured, a driver engaged, experienced constables sworn-in, armed and mounted, terms made for the stabling and forage of the horses on the road, and at the terminal stations, and for the barrack accommodation of the escort men at the halting places: these were at first of a temporary nature, only calculated to meet the emergency, and had subsequently to be replaced by more permanent ones, thus entailing in some cases a double expenditure; new stations had also to be formed at many parts of the Province, previously without police protection; and the larger number of constables which the increased population demanded, had to be armed, mounted, and equipped. Many of the stores required had to be imported from Victoria, and many could only be obtained in retail quantities; all these requirements had to be met at a time when unparalleled excitement had raised prices to their maximum.

The ordinary expenditure of the half-year comprises the cost of maintaining the department, as distinguished from that of forming it, and includes two divisions, viz.: salaries and contingencies.

Concerning the salaries of the commissioned officers of the service, special reports accompany the proposed appropriations, which have been framed with the strictest regard to economy. The wages voted for the non-commissioned officers and constables at the last session of the Provincial Council were augmented one shilling per diem, by His Honor the Superintendent, in Council, on the 19th November, 1861, the increase taking effect from the 1st December, 1861. The Commissioner is gratified to be able to add that this judicious liberality has had a most beneficial effect, and retained in the service many of its most valuable subordinate members. The proposed rates are the same as those paid since the date referred to, and the advance in amount is due to the large additional number of constables that the greatly increased population of the Province has rendered indispensable; the rates of wages may appear high, and as it is much larger than those paid in other Provinces, I at one time hoped to be able to effect a reduction, but the duties required are very arduous, the counterbalancing expenses heavy, and the allurements to leave the service in many cases attractive. It is, therefore, a matter for grave consideration, when the value of efficient protection to life and property is considered, whether the saving to be effected by such a course would be really economical or advantageous. The total sum includes many items which in other colonies are not borne wholly by the police department, such as the wages of acting clerks of petty sessions, inspectors of slaughter-yards, inspectors of nuisances, treasury guards, &c.

The vote required for detective police is slightly in excess of that last passed, which, as a large balance of the latter remains unexpended, requires explanation. The reason for the addition is, that the number of the criminal class from the Australan colonies is rapidly increasing, and the utmost vigilance is required to keep them under proper surveillance. The comparatively small number of old offenders at first on the gold-fields, enabled me to economise the former vote, and if possible, the whole of that now proposed will not be expended; but I consider it of the utmost importance that this branch of the service should be thoroughly effective, and therefore ask for a sum which will meet any emergencies that may arise.

The water police was the branch of the service last remodelled, and much difficulty was encountered in forming it upon its present basis. A small reduction in the rate of wages is now possible without impairing its efficiency, but at the time when the former estimates were framed, it was found almost impossible to obtain suitable water police constables, as from the nature of their duties my choice was limited to a class, the majority of whom are notoriously addicted to irregularities, and the high rate of seamen’s wages then prevailing, rendered it extremely difficult to secure suitable men willing to submit to the restraints of discipline.

The contingencies expended during the past half-year represent many incidental services, required in the performance of police duties, such as the transport of prisoners, the forage and shoeing of horses, the repairs of escort wagons, the supply of arms, ammunition and appointments, &c., and a special report accompanies every item.

The ordinary police duties of the half-