POPULAR OFFICER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 125, 8 March 1935, Page 6

POPULAR OFFICER

SENIOR-SERGEANT KELLY. HIS WORK IN ASHBURTON. TRIBUTE PAID IN COURT. Tributes to the work of Senior-Ser-geant W. T. Kelly during the three years he has been in charge of the Ashburton Police Force were paid in the Ashburton Courthouse this morning prior to the sitting of the Magistrate's Court. Congratulations upon his promotion to the rank of SeniorSergeant and transfer to InvercargiU were extended by Mr C. R. Orr Walker S.M., and other speakers. "This is the last occasion on which Senior-Sergeant Kelly will appear in the Ashburton Magistrate's Court prior to his transfer to Inyercargill," said the Magistrate. "I wish to tender my hearty congratulations to him on his prcmotion as I have every reason to be satisfied with his conduct and work in Ashburton. Senior-Sergeant Kelly has all the attributes of a successful officer. I sincerely hope that he' will be promoted to higher positions in the force. Senior-Sergeant H. Martin who ivas in Ashburton a few years ago, is now an inspector and I anticipate that his successor will soon reach a similar rank."

Concluding, the Magistrate said Sen-ior-Sergeant Kelly was a young, ambitious and capable officer and he had every confidence that he was capable of filling higher positions in the force with credit to the force and the country. These remarks were endorsed by Mr 11. Kennedy on behalf of the legal profession which he said regretted' SeniorSergeant Kelly's departure as his work in Ashburton had been greatly appreciated. Senior-Sergeant Kelly had been very fair to accused persons and his kindly manner had been gratefully acknowledged. Mr Kennedy complimented the Senior-Sergeant on his promotion and expressed the hope that he would have further success in the future. "I wish you, Mrs Kelly and your family the best of happiness, added Mr Kennedy. "I feel I have not earned these kind remarks but have always endeavoured to carry out my duty," said SeniorSergeant Kelly in reply. "I have tried to place the true facts in all cafes before your worship and leave it to you to decide. It has also been my aim to treat prisoners as I would wish to be treated myself. I am sorry to leave and I would like to thank your worship for your guidance while I have been here." Senior-Sergeant Kelly also thanked Mr Kennedy for his kindl remarks The lawyers and the police had worked well together and he appreciated their assistance. The senior-ser-ceant also thanked the clerk of the court (Mr A. J. Ching) and his assistants for the manner in which they had always obliged him. "The newspapers have greatly assisted me,"' said Senior-Sergeant Kelly. "Any proceedings have been very fairlv reported and requests that I have made have at once been granted. Every -assistance and consideration has been given me. I will feel leaving Ashburton very much. These have been my three happiest years in the service.