380 



EEPORT — 1882. 



The decrease in the number of committals has steadily continued for 

 the last forty years, partly from a decided diminution of the heavier 

 crimes, but partly also from the fact, that many offences previously tried 

 by Sessions, are now disposed of summarily by magistrates.' The number 

 of committals and proportion to population were as follows : — 



It will be observed that the proportionate number of committals is 

 greatest in Scotland and least in Ireland, but throughout the period the 

 diminution is considerable and satisfactory. Whence, however, is it, that 

 with fewer crimes committed in Ireland than in EnofJaud and Wales, the 

 number of committals in proportion to population is generally larger in 

 Ireland than in England and Wales ? This is due partly to the larger 

 number of apprehensions in proportion to crimes, the result to some 

 extent of a larger police force, and partly to the greater vigour exer- 

 cised by the magistracy in Ireland. The proportion of committals for 

 indictable offences has been hitherto taken as a gauge for measuring the 

 state and progress of crime in any country, yet, where possible, it is 

 safer to measure the same by the number of crimes reported to have been 

 committed. 



Within the last twenty-five years the proportion committed for trial 

 in England and Wales has been as follows : — ■ 



Years 

 1857-61 

 1862-66 

 1867-71 

 1872-76 

 1877-81 



Average numbers 

 17,824 

 19,757 

 18,445 

 15,136 

 15.640 



Twenty- five years' average 17,360 



Proportion per 1,000 

 0-89 

 0-97 

 0-83 

 0-64 

 0-62 



0-78 



§ 8. Committals and Convictions. 



The great test, however, of the existence of harmony between law and 

 public opinion is the result of the trial, indicating as it does the greater 



' By the Juvenile Offenders Acts, 10 & 11 Vict. c. 82, 13 & 14 Vict. c. 37, and 

 34 & 35 Vict. c. 78 ; and the Criminal Justice Acts, 18 & 19 Vict. c. 126, and 31 & 32 

 Vict. c. 116; simple larceny, the offender consenting, and not exceeding 16, and 

 even above that age, the oifender pleading guilt)' ; stealing from the person, the 

 offender pleading guilty, without reference to age or value ; larceny as a clerk or 

 servant, the offender pleading guilty, without reference to age or value ; and even 

 embezzlement by a clerk or servant, the offender pleading guilty, and the amount 

 above 5*'., or offender consenting, and amount not exceeding 5a". ; all offences pre- 

 viously tried by sessions have been subjected to summary jurisdiction. 



