✨ Police and Gaol Reports
85
My attention has also been drawn to the increasing importance of the district of Kai-Iwi, and the desirableness of a police constable being stationed. In the event of such an appointment being made, a station in that district will also be required.
It has been decided to hold half-yearly sittings of the Supreme Court at Wanganui. This will greatly facilitate the prosecution of offenders, and at the same time will diminish the expenses under the head of Departmental Contingencies; as heretofore persons committed for trial at Wanganui were sent to Wellington, and the expense of conveying constable and prisoners to and from Wellington was a heavy item in that vote.
The converting of the Rutland Stockade at Wanganui into a commodious gaol, and quarters for the police, is a work of considerable importance, and the results that will arise therefrom I anticipate will be of a most beneficial character. The officers of the gaol will now be in a position to classify the prisoners, and to enforce the necessary discipline as required by law. Two additional constables, to act in the capacity of warders in the gaol, will have to be provided for, as it is evident that the present force of one sergeant and four privates are inadequate to perform the police duties of so large a district as Wanganui, and to take charge of the gaol as well.
As a large number of criminals hitherto were sent here from Wanganui, caused by the want of a proper gaol, and the non-sitting of a Supreme Court, now, as these wants no longer exist, I am sanguine in the belief that a decrease of crime in that district will be the result.
All classes of crime have steadily decreased throughout the Province during the last twelve months, and the up-country districts, especially, have been remarkable for the good order observed by the inhabitants, and the almost entire absence of any serious crimes.
It is my pleasing duty to record my approbation of the efficiency, zeal, and good conduct of the men under my command, and I may fairly say that the decrease of crime is mainly attributable to their zeal and efficiency in preventing and detecting crime.
I enclose, herewith, an estimate of salaries and contingencies for the year commencing 1st April, 1872, and ending 31st March, 1873.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
FREDERICK ATCHESON,
Inspector of Police.
Henry Bunny, Esquire,
Provincial Secretary, Wellington.
ANNUAL REPORT by the Warden of the Wellington Gaol.
Gaol Department,
Wellington, 22nd April, 1872.
Sir,
I have the honor to forward for your information the following report relative to this department, for the year ending 31st March, 1872.
The amount appropriated by the Provincial Council for the year was ... £2,870 17s 6d.
The total cost of the maintenance of the Gaol has been ... £2,018 18s 11d.
Amount expended less appropriation ... £851 18s 7d.
In consequence of the want of accommodation at the Karori Asylum, it has been the practice for some years past to commit lunatics to this gaol; there are three here at the present time. The average for the year has been about two and a half.
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Wellington Provincial Gazette 1872, No 10
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
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Report by the Inspector of Police
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⚖️ Justice & Law Enforcement18 April 1872
Police force, stations, districts, Wellington Province, law enforcement
- Frederick Atcheson, Inspector of Police, author of report
- Frederick Atcheson, Inspector of Police
⚖️ Annual Report by the Warden of the Wellington Gaol
⚖️ Justice & Law Enforcement22 April 1872
Gaol Department, maintenance costs, lunatics, Karori Asylum
- Warden of the Wellington Gaol