1876 — Page 242

G.

POLICE SCHOOL, Honokona, lat February, 1877. Sta,—I have the honour to forward the Annual Report on the Police School under my charge, for the year ending 31st December, 1876.

Nothing has occurred during the year worthy of special notice. which the School is established is fixed, and the attendance compulsory, our statistics do not present such fluctuations ns they There have been no changes; as the basis on otherwise would. The attendance is entirely beyond the control of the masters, the School itself being subordinate to the requirements of the service.

The men have been attentive on the whole; and that they have availed themselves of the instruction given, is clearly shown by the large number of pass certificates now in their hands. The Europeans are gradually passing out. Those who are still compelled to attend are either stationed at the outlying villagas, or are on duty, when they reside in the Central District. From these causes, the average attendance is smaller than that of previous years. The recruiting now going on to filt πp the places of time-expired men, will however increase our numbers again.

With regard to the Europeans generally, the School has performed solid service. On the arrival of the English and Scotch contingents five years ago, a loud outery was raised against the compulsory attendance, more especially by those who stool most in need of what a school has to offer. All this opposition has now vanished into thin air, and there are few indeed who have a word to say in the School's disfavour. Passing the School is now regarded as a stepping stone to a higher class and promotion, and instead of the apathy which once characterised the attitude of the nien, we have had several instances of inen, during the year, attending voluntarily, even after they have passed the examination.

Three Europeans have passed before the Examination Board in Chinese. Nine have obtained pass certificates from the School. Thirty-five men have still to pass, of whom nineteen are at the outstations and sixteen at the Central.

In accordance with the changes inile in 1875, the Indians have been instructed, both in English and in Chinese, during the year. At the Annual Examination for the prizes awarded by Government, I was most agreeably surprised at the results, which were quite beyond what I expected. Men froin all the Stations in the Colony presented themselves, and showed by the creditable appearance they made, that they were keeping up their English and Chinese, when beyond the reach of the School. Four Indiaos bave passed before the Examination Board in Chinese during the year, and others are waiting to be examined. Amongst a number, there was a disposition to be obstructive and lazy; a little firmness, and insisting that the work given to be done should be done before leaving for their quarters, soon brought them to their senses again. Things are now going on ne smoothly as before.

The Chinese Constables attend twice a week, an hour each night. It is impossible to do much in so limited time, with a body of men whose personnel is constantly changing, unless the men supplement the teaching they receive, by private study, Our nim in the Chinese Cheeses is to make the instruction as practical as possible. Reading and Colloquial English with”u little Writing and Arithmetic are all that we can manago.

The upper Chinese Class however contains a number of men, whose command of English, written and spoken, entitles them to your favourable consideration. It is worth while considering whether they are eligible or not for any interpreterships which may fall vacant," They know English and they know Police duty. Such promotions would cause a greater interest to be taken in the study of English. If the hours of study were only increased, I see no reason why we should not be able to train our own interpreters, instead of engaging outsiders, who, though possessing a knowledge of English, are completely ignorant of Police work.

As the system of pass examinations ling exerted a beneficial influence over the European branch of the Force, I beg ta suggest that the system be extended, under the same conditions, to both the Indians and Chinese.

A knowledge of English and Chinese (colloquial on the part of the Indians, and written character on the part of the Chinese) would be all that would be required ut first.

The following are the statistics for the year :—

EUROPEANS.-

Total number of Soliool days, Total number of Attendarees,

Average daily Attendance,

CHINESE,-

Totul number of School days, Total number of Attendunces,

Average daily Attenduuve,

INDIANS,-

Total number of School days, Total number of Attendances,

Average daily Attendance,.

148

030

4.30

78

.0,884

.120.72

138 .4,001

35.95

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

W. M. Duane, Esq., M.A

Captain Superintendent of Police.

• One man was thus promoted in November lut.

W. M. D.

ALEXANDER Falconer,

Muster in charge.