275

Afterwards a road party of about eighteen (18) men was employed to complete the work.

Roads not provided for.

Approach to Police Station, Port Chalmers ........ £169 2 3
Approach to Cattle Yard, Port Chalmers ........ 14 2 0
Road from Dunedin Jetty to Beach ................ 50 0 0
Road from Campbell Thompson’s to new diggings .. 111 8 0
Waikouaiti to Dunstan Gold Fields ................ 91 6 2

Total expenditure ........ 435 18 5
Unexpended balance ...... 1564 1 7
Amount of vote ........... £2000 0 0

Supplemented Roads.

No expenditure has been incurred except on the Moray Place works, which were under the charge of Inspector Abbot. On those works the prisoners were employed in excavating for about four months after the commencement of the half-year. Six carts were employed at the same time.

Expenditure.

Wages to laborers and carters ................ £102 15 6
Tools, repairs, &c ........... 181 13 2

Total expenditure ........ 284 8 8
Unexpended balance ...... 115 11 4
Amount of vote ........... £400 0 0

POLICE DEPARTMENT.

Commissioner’s Office,
Dunedin, 16th October, 1862.

His Honor Major Richardson,
Superintendent.

SIR—In forwarding the Estimates for the ensuing half-year, I do myself the honor to submit the following remarks referring to the general condition and prospects of this Department, in comparison with its position when the last Estimates were submitted.

The rapid development of the gold fields had caused a large increase in the strength of the Force immediately before the passing of the former Appropriation Ordinance, and provision was made therein for the continuance of that increase during the past half-year. Although, during the winter, less activity prevailed, and the mining population decreased, yet the very great probability of crime, and subsequently, I regret to add, the absolute increase of serious offences, rendered it unwise to diminish the strength of the Department, which was kept throughout the half-year at about the same level.

By strict economy I was enabled to effect a saving in the votes for salaries, while maintaining a force sufficient to preserve order, secure property, and efficiently to supervise the criminal element then resident in the Province.

This latter (the criminal element) did not, during the winter, diminish in the same ratio as the mining population of a better character, which may probably be accounted for by the fact that many of them having committed themselves in the Colonies from whence they came, were unwilling to return to them.

Crime during the winter has considerably increased, as may be seen by comparing the present calendar with the former one—and one case of murder, the first that has been known in the Province since the discovery of the gold fields, is included amongst the charges. I am, however, glad to be able to reiterate the statement contained in my last half-yearly report, that in no instance has the perpetrator of a serious offence escaped arrest.

With reference to the internal arrangements of the Department, I have but two alterations of importance to note, viz.: the transfer of Mr. Sub-Inspector Keddell, to be Commissioner of gold fields, and the transfer of Mr. Storekeeper Duncan, to be Gold Receiver. The vacancy caused by Mr. Keddell’s removal has not yet been filled up, and I propose to have the duties of storekeeper discharged by a quartermaster-sergeant. The remaining personnel of the Department has not altered more than might be expected; and, notwithstanding the attraction of recent gold discoveries, which at one time threatened inconvenience, I am glad to report that no deterioration has taken place.

The prospects of the Department during the ensuing half-year are more arduous than they have hitherto been. The new gold fields have caused a large increase of population, and necessitated a more than proportionate increase of Police Stations, as they not only require protection themselves, but, being situated at a long distance from Dunedin, need expensive escort arrangements, and the formation of stations along the whole of the road. The latter precaution is the more imperative from the fact that the track lies through country offering many advantages to the highway robber.

In the large increase of population during the last few weeks I regret to be