Widnes Examiner. — 1903-01-30 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.  During the year the police have specially supervised 441 houses whose tenants were temporarily away from home, and there was no robbery or similar interference with such premises. Once again I respectfully ask persons who may be leaving their houses unoccupied for a period to acquaint me with their intended absence, with a view to the special watching of their residences. There are now in the Borough 87 licensed victuallers, 39 beerhouse keepers, and 73 Shops licensed for thesale of intoxicants not to be consumed on the premises. There are, in addition, 12 places licensed for the sale of wine. Forty-five places are licensed for music and dancing, and 12 for the performance of stage plays. The licence for the Y.M.C.A. on Friars-green has lapsed, the premises being now used as an autioneer's establishment. 'Thirteen alehouses, 4 beerhouse licences and off-beer licences have been transferred during the ye. • _  The sum of k7O 4s. has been collected from parents and guardians by the police under magisterial orders, towards the partial maintenance of children detained in Reformatory and Industrial Schools. This sum was forwarded to H.M. Inspector of Reformatories. There are 7 proprietors of cabs in the Borough, and 94 drivers licenstd to ply for hire. Electric trams are now running between Sankey Bridges, Latchford, and Wilderspool, and Longford Bridge and the Cemetery. The duties of the police during the construction of the lines and since their inauguration have been enormously increased through the difficulties of regulating traffic. The necessity of keeping a number of men continuously at fixed points has greatly strained the numerical resources of the Establishment.  During the year the police have executed 213 warrants for apprehension or commitment, and have served 1,020 summonses. Town Council and Corporation Committee Notices to the number of 5,640 have also been delivered by them. During the same period, l'i persons wanted for offences committed in other localities have been apprehended by the Warrington Borough Police, and handed over to the proper authorities. Four hundred and ninety-seven persons have been conveyed from Warrington to H.M. Prisons during the year. 'Three convicts on ticket-of-leave, and one person under Police Supervision have reported themselves to the Warrington Police during the year. Three have left for other districts and one is still reporting. Seven runaway 'horses have been stopped by the police at personal risk. One Constable for conspicuous bravery in one of these cases, was awarded the badge of merit. During the year lost property to the value of £9B has been found or recovered by the police, and in most cases restored to the owners. Ninety-two cases of sudden, premature, or violent death have been investigated-1)y the police and reported to the Coroner. In 43 cases there were no inquests. In 49 cases inquests were held, and verdicts returned as follows, viz.: 33 "Accidental death," 4 "Death from natural causes." 4 "Suicide whilst temporarily insane," and 8 "Open verdicts." Lost children, to the number of 106, have been restored by the police to their parents or guardians. Twenty-seven horses, cattle and sheep were found straying, taken to the pinfold, and subsequently handed over to their respective owners. _  The police upon night duty have found -161 shops, warehouses, and private houses insecure through doors, windows, etc.., being left open or unfastened. The occupiers of the premises in such cases were notified and cautioned.  - The gross cost of the pay and clothing of the police establishment for the year 1902 was £6,317 13s. 6d., halt of which is fepayable by the Government. During 1901 the cost was £3,265  The Police Superannuation Fund amounts to £12,956 7s. ld., the total income during the year being £979 155., the charges upon the fund amounting to £305 18s. Bd. There are upon the pension list 2 ex-Chief Inspectors, 1 ex-Sergeant, and 1 ex-Constable. I deeply regret to report the death of two old and faithful public servants, viz., ex-Chief Constable Samuel Hunt, who died on December 12th, and ex-Inspector George Cox, who died on December 15th. The remains of the former were interred in the Warrington Cemetery on December 15th, full police honours being accorded. The latter having died in Monmouth (where he had resided since his retirement from the force), was buried there on December 18th, the force being officially represented .by Chief Inspector Phillips. Lieutenant-Colonel Eden (H.M. Inspector of Constabulary), inspected the force on the 21th of April, and pronounced i t efficient as to physique. numbers. discipline, and equipment. He also expressed his high approval of the method and accuracy with which the police books and records were kept. In concluding his report, the Chief Constable tenders his thanks to the Chairman and members of the Watch Committee, the Town Clerk and other kind heads of Corporation departments and also to Mr. G. F. F. White, clerk to the Borough of Justices, for the assistance they have given him.