79

A constable (a halfcaste named Ransfield) has recently been appointed to the
Otaki district. The appointment, I feel certain, will give satisfaction, as the constable
in question can speak both the English and Maori languages, and has an intimate
knowledge of the surrounding districts, and the customs of the Natives.

In Wanganui, as I anticipated in my report last year, crime has greatly
decreased. The holding of Supreme Court Sittings there and the erection of a proper
gaol has conduced to this result in a great measure. The Province is also saved a
considerable amount of expense, which in former years was incurred in transmitting
prisoners from Wanganui and the surrounding districts for trial to Wellington, together
with the accompanying expenses of the necessary constables and witnesses.

The districts of Manawatu and Rangitikei, during the past year have been
remarkable for the good order observed by the inhabitants, and the absence of serious
offences.

This is a very satisfactory feature, when the large increase to the population is
taken into account; and the increase has been unusually great, owing to the initiation
of various Public Works, and the increasing prosperity of the districts in question.

The small number of offences recorded in these, as well as in the other country
districts, I feel convinced, is in a great measure due to the efficiency of the constables
placed in charge of the districts, and the support which they receive from the well
disposed settlers.

I would further add that crime of all kinds has during the past year throughout
the Province greatly decreased, being less than in any former year since my connection
with the Police Force, a period extending over twelve years.

The great demand for all classes of labor which at present exists throughout the
Province, has had the effect of rendering it difficult to suitably fill up vacancies in the
force. I would therefore (keeping in view the necessity of retaining good and efficient
men) respectfully urge upon the Government the desirableness of increasing the rate
of pay, as recommended in my return of the estimates for the forthcoming year.

I have, &c.,

FREDERICK ATCHESON,
Inspector of Police.

His Honor the Superintendent,
Wellington.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE WARDEN OF THE WELLINGTON GAOL.

Gaol Department,
Wellington, 10th April, 1873.

Sir,—

I have the honor to forward, for your information, the following Report
relative to this department for the year commencing on the 1st day of April, 1872, and
ending on the 31st day of March, 1873.

The general conduct of the prisoners has been very good; they have performed
their work in a most satisfactory manner. There has been no organised insubordination,
and but very few breaches of the Prison Regulations committed by them; there has
been no escape or attempt to escape during the year.

The general health has also been very good.

In April last they were employed for a short time in forming and metalling the
roads and footways round and about the new Provincial Buildings; and during the
latter end of November, and the early part of December, they were engaged in forming
the streets and footways on the Reclaimed Land, and making a road in Buckle street,
near the Cricket ground.

During the remainder of the year they have been employed in levelling a site for
the new Lunatic Asylum, on the Adelaide Road, and making and metalling the roads
leading thereto; they have also erected a very substantial bridge, built sheds, made
culverts, and sunk two wells, each of them being six feet in diameter, and about seventy