JUDGE'S TRIBUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 184, 5 August 1936, Page 18

JUDGE'S TRIBUTE.

PRISON OFFICIAL'S WORK.

ERRED TOWARD MERCY.

(By Telegraph.—PreßS Association.)

WAXGANUT, Tuesday

At the conclusion of the criminal sessions of the Supreme Court this morning Mr. Justice Ostler, in addressing Superintendent E. Ching, of the Wanganui prison, who is retiring at an early date said, "I understand, Mr. Ching, that in a week or two you are retiring from the position of officer in charge of the Wanganui gaol, and probation officer, arid as this is the last time I shall see you at a criminal sitting in Wanganui I would like to say that I have known your figure for the past twelve years as gaoler and probation officer, and I do not know how many years before that you have filled the position. I have come to have a very high opinion of you as a probation officer and gaoler. Your humanitarian nature and kindness of heart have appealed to me. and I have always had the greatest confidence in your reports. If you have erred at all it has always been in the direction of inercv."

Superintendent Ching, in his reply, thanked His Honor and said he had always tried to do his very best as gaoler. His work had been very hard, and also that of probation officer, which was an honorary position.. He highly appreciated the complimentary remarks of His Honor. Mr. A. R. Howie, president of the Wanganui Law Society, said he would like to associate himself with the remarks of His Honor. Mr. W. R. Bain. Crown Prosecutor, also added a tribute, and said it was a pity that with his experience Mr. Ching had to retire even at this late hour.