278
6.
"there has been almost an entire absence of burglaries and larcenies from dwelling houses in the night time, on this district"
Inspector Mathieson, the Inspector in charge of the Harbour Police, says:
"I can only repeat the words of my former report, dated the 18th October 1879, with reference to the working of the Force on the two-thirds system. I know of no other system that would put the Police Force on so sound a basis."
Since my last report, the Water Police have been supplied with two small Steam Launches and they are used almost entirely for patrol duty in the Harbour, from 9 P.M. to 5 A.M., and these little boats appear to be a terror to the marine thieves in the dead of night.
7.
8.
Inspector Lindsay reports that "As crime has greatly decreased during the past twelve months, I am of opinion that the present system is the best mode of regulating the night duties. I cannot suggest any change further than that contained in the last paragraph of my report of 27th June 1879, as it appears to me that the Police is now well able to cope with the criminal class in this Colony.
When I took the responsibility of making this important change in the duties of the Police Force, it was in accordance with the strongly expressed opinion of Mr. P.