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Appendix I.

ANNUAL REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF POLICE.

Police Office,
Wellington, 3rd April, 1875.

Sir,—

I have the honor to submit the following Report on the state of the Police Force of this Province for the year ending the 31st March, 1875.

The numerical strength of the Force on the 31st of March last was as follows —
Inspector, two first-class Sergeants, three second-class Sergeants, and twenty-eight Constables.

There has been a slight increase of crime during the past year over that of the previous year. The total number of cases sent up to the Supreme Court at Wellington and Wanganui for trial, during the past year, amounted to thirty-six, as against twenty-three for the previous year.

The offences have been of a varied description, and the offenders generally had no previous knowledge of each other, which circumstances show that there is no organised gang of offenders in our community.

The country districts, during the past year, have furnished a few offences of more than usual seriousness; but, taking into consideration the great increase to the population in the various districts, the comparatively isolated cases of crime which have been recorded show, in my opinion, that the country districts are enjoying their usual prosperity and immunity from crime. On my recent visit to the various police stations in the eastern and western districts, abundant evidence of the good order and prosperity of the settlers came under my notice.

A want that was much felt at Greytown has recently been supplied. I refer to the erection of a substantial and conveniently-built police station and lock-up in that district.

A suitable station and lock-up have also been erected in Carterton, and a constable will shortly be appointed to that district.

At Feilding, where there is a large and increasing population, a lock-up has also been erected, and a constable will shortly be appointed to that district.

At Wanganui, a station and lock-up in the vicinity of the Court House is much needed. The gaol there at present serves for the purposes of a lock-up as well, but the situation of the building (on the top of a high hill) is very inconvenient, apart from other considerations.

I trust that it will not be considered that I am travelling out of my province in calling attention to the too prevalent offence of wife and children desertion, and the inadequacy of the law for punishing cowardly men, who, without warning, leave their wives and children in a state of destitution. The result of this is, that the Government are almost always compelled to assist in supporting their abandoned families. I have reason to believe that this Province is not singular in this matter, and that every Province in New Zealand would hail with satisfaction any amendment in the “Destitute Persons’ Relief Ordinance” (a measure passed by the General Legislature in 1846), that would provide such severe punishment for unnatural fathers and husbands as would act as a deterrent.

The fact of several instances of waggon drivers and persons in charge of other vehicles, during the past year, having been found in a state of intoxication, thereby endangering their own lives, and also the lives of others, as well as the possible injury to property, suggests, in a marked degree, the desirableness of an amendment being made to the present “Traffic on Highways Act,” which would give power to the Magistrates to inflict a severe penalty, by fine or imprisonment, on any person who shall be convicted of drunkenness, while in charge of any such vehicles.

In looking back upon the year’s experience, I feel that it is due to the members of the Force generally to record the fact that very few of the crimes committed have been undetected, the result of diligence and attention to their duties.

With reference to the Estimates for the year 1875-76, I have deemed it prudent to estimate for three additional constables for the city, one for Carterton, and one for Feilding.

I have, &c.,

FREDERICK ATCHISON,
Inspector of Police.

His Honor the Superintendent,
Wellington.