RETIREMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 58, 9 March 1936, Page 8

RETIREMENT.

PROBATION OFFICER

MR. W. J. CAMPBELL'S CAREER

PRAISE FROM THE BAR. The retirement of }Tr. W. J. Campbell, probation officer and maintenance officer at Auckland, was announced to-day. The news occasioned some surprise in police and legal circles, especially as Mr. Campbell's duties cease immediately, and he commences a period of three months' retiring leave to-niorroxv.

Mr. Campbell joined the New Zealand Police Force in 1897 at New Plymouth under the late Inspector McGovern. After a term of duty there he was transferred to Wanganui, where he served as a mounted constable for six years. He was then selected to take charge of the Pahiatua police district, remaining in that position for 18 months. Transferred to the Justice Department, he came to Auckland in 190(5 and remained in the Department until 1921, when he received the appointment of probation officer for Auckland.

In 1921 the Maintenance Facilities Enforcement Act was passed, and 011 it becoming law Mr. Campbell was appointed as maintenance officer, and asked by tlie Justice Department to initiate the Act and report upon its operation. After cigbt months' experience in his new position, he was able to report that the effect of the Act had been a £9000 increase in the amount of maintenance collected in Auckland. It was after this that maintenance officers were appointed in other parts of the Dominion. Success of Probation System. As probation officer, Mr. Campbell came to know all phases of crime work in Auckland. At the present time there are 2000 maintenance cases 011 the local court's books, and all these have come under Mr. Campbell's supervision and direction. While he has dealt with thousands of men who have been placed on probation, Mr. Campbell declares that the failures under the probation system have been few and the successes many. Last year was, an astonishing one with the "Crimes Act men." there being not 011 c failure. "It will come as a distinct shock to all members of the legal profession who have had any experience of the Supreme and Police Courts to know that Mr. Campbell's compulsory retirement lias been insisted upon by the Justice Department," said Mr. Allan J. Moody, the well-known barrister, who lias been a practitioner in Auckland for over 30 vears. "Since Mr. Campbell took over the duties of probation officer in Auckland he has been regarded as the most painstaking and efficient probation officer in the Dominion." "Many an accused person who, otherwise would have suffered the ignominy, disgrace and humiliation of a sentence of imprisonment can thank —and has thanked—Mr. Campbell for his kindly interest. To my Awn knowledge many a man has been saved from himself and turned into a useful citizen through being given an opportunity to redeem himself by being placed 011 probation. A mail placed under Mr. Campbell's supervision, has always received the benefit of his valued experience, and with younger offenders, Mr. Campbell has acted in a fatherly way." Mr. Moody said that he could say without fear of contradiction that the success of the probation system, more particularly in Auckland, could be attributed t.o Mr. Campbell's interest in his work and to his efliiency. "His successor will have to be particularly patient, conscientious and efficient and possessed of a stout heart to follow in his footsteps. It has been a matter of comment, not only by judges of the Supreme Court, but also by magistrates that Mr. Campbell has been instrumental in saving thousands of pounds paid back by way of restitution and costs in criminal prosecutions." Mr. Campbell has taken an interest in local body affairs, particularly those relating to education. He is still a member of the Auckland Education Board and is the second oldest member of the board in regard to length of service. For eleven years he was a member of l/ie Ponsonby School Committee and for six years served as chairman. For eight years he was 011 the board of management of the Elam School of Art and he was one of the first members af the Auckland Primary Schools' Association. Mr. Campbell is well known in bowling circles, and, in addition to being a member of the Ponsonby and Auckland Clubs, he is a delegate to the Auckland Centre.