POPULAR POLICE OFFICER.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 305, 26 December 1928, Page 3

POPULAR POLICE OFFICER.

MR. CUMMINGS FAREWELLED.

TRIBUTE BY MAGISTRATE

Mr. J. Cummings, who has been transferred to Dunedin as sub-inspector of police, was farewelled last week at one of the largest gatherings of police ever held at the Auckland police station. The speakers were Superintendent W. G. Wohlmann, Inspectors J. W. Hollis and J. Mcllveny, Sub-Inspector McCarthy and Chief Detective Hammond. All referred to the excellent record of Mr. Cummings during his 17 years of service spent mostly in the detective branch and paid a tribute to his ability, sense of duty and courtesy to all. A valuable dinner and supper set was presented by the local force to Mr. and Mrs. Cummings, and a beautiful dressing set was handed to Miss Cummings. After the business at the Police Court had concluded this morning, Mr. E. C. Cutten, senior magistrate, referred to the impending departure of Mr. Cummings from Auckland. Mr. Cutten said he had been in Auckland about 20 years and had known Mr. Cummings all that time. "Some years ago, when I presided over the Police Court here, I came in contact with Mr. Cummings a great deal," said Mr. Cutten. "I have watched with interest his steady rise to commissioned rank and I was particularly impressed with his work while in the detective branch of the service." Mr. Cutten complimented Mr. Cummings on his ability, and on behalf of the other magistrates he expressed grateful appreciation for the assistance which Mr. Cummings gave to presiding magistrates. Mr. Cummings was going to Mr. Cutten's home town and he was sure he would find it quite a pleasant place to do duty. "Years ago they built a goal in the middle of the town," said Mr. Cutten, "but they had no use for it, so they put the police in the building", which is now a police station."

Mr. Cummings thanked Mr. Cutten for the assistance given him during his younger days in the force, and added that he always came out of court wiser than he went in. He also thanked the court officials and pressmen for the assistance given him.