In the eastern agriculturing district the criminal per centage is 1 in 113— Prostitutes 1 in 1122 In the south and south-western 1 in 104 „ 1 in 1829 In the midland district 1 in 103 „ 1 in 1307 The present returns show that only the very small proportion of about one-fifth of the known criminal classes are in prison at any one time. Of the parties proceeded against by indictment, nearly one-fourth were of “previous good character;” and of those proceeded against summarily, full one-half were of “previous good character,” and of both classes fourteen per cent. of both sexes were under sixteen! Considering that until very recently, at least 4000 of the worst criminals were annually removed from the country by transportation, and that though a much more efficient police system has been in force, yet the number of commitments has not been sensibly increased, the inference is drawn that a better system of prevention prevails, and that better prison management has led to the absorption of a large number of discharged prisoners in honest employments. There are in the country— Houses for receiving stolen goods 3,122 Houses to which thieves and prostitutes resort, viz.: Public houses 2,402 Beer shops 2,151 Coffee shops 386 Other suspected houses 2,157 7,096 Brothels and houses of ill fame 7,915 Tramps’ lodging houses 6,987 —————— Total houses of bad character 25,120 A curious comparison is given of crimes and arrests. The number of known crimes of a grave character against the person, and all violent offences against property (excluding offences dealt with summarily by magistrates) were 57,868. Crimes. Arrests. January, February and March 15,785 7,950 April, May and June 12,895 6,982 July, August and September 12,592 6,698 October, November and December 16,596 8,828 —————— —————— Total 57,868 30,458