EX-INSPECTOR PENDER.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11245, 10 April 1902, Page 6

EX-INSPECTOR PENDER.

PROPOSED TESTIMONIAL.

At the invitation of t!ie Mayor of Christchurch (Mr A. K. ii. Kiiodts), a meeting w.-is he'd yesterday afferroon to consider the desirablencs« of recognising ex-Inspector Pender's long and fffieisiit service 'n tiie police force, and to mark bis retirement from that force. The M.'.yor presided, and th-Ere tree present—Bishop Grimes, Hon. C. C. Bowen. Messrs H. P. MurrayAvns'.ey T W. Stringer. Lieut .-Col. Slater, W. HaYris. J. Neill. T. Gapes, A. Carrick, G. R. Hart, E. O'Connor, W. Prudhoe, and a number of others.

The Mayor explained that he had received a communication regarding the presentation to be made by Justices of the Peace in Wellington to Inspector Pender, and asking that" similar steps should bs taken here. Subsequently he had received a letter from Mr T. Gape's, suggesting that a public meeting of citizens should be called, and that lie testimonial .should include others besides Justices of the Peace. He (tha speaker) had known Inspector Pender as long as he could remember, and he was also well known to those present. No words of his were necessary to commend the proposal to them, but what he could he would do to assist the movement. Apologies had been received from Messrs G. Humphreys, R. J. s>. Harman, and J. MeXamafa, all of whom had intimated their intention to help in the matter. The Hon. C. C. Bowen, in a brief speech, spoke highly of Inspector Pender, of whom lie had had a good opportunity jof judging over a quarter "of a century ago. Inspector Pender had directed his endeavours towards the prevention of crime. Mr T. Gapes also spoke in eulogistic terms of Inspector Pender, and moved that a testimonial from the citizens of Christchurch be presented to Inspector Pender on the occasion of his retirement from the police fore?. Mr H. P. Murray-Aynsley seconded the motion, and said that he ha<l been a member of the Provincial Council when they got Messrs Shearman and Pender to take charge of the police force in Canterbury. Inspector Pender had brought the force to Euch a state of efficiency that they had had to take him away- to" Wellington, in order that he might bring their force up to the same efficient state. \ The motion was agreed t<?, and it was decided that the gentlemen present form themselves into a general committee, and that the following, with povrer to add to their number, be appointed as an executive committee, to carry out details:—The Mayor, Hon. C. "C. Bowen, Bishop Grimes, Messrs T. Gapes, J. Neill, E. Smith, W. Harris, E. "O'Connor, H. P. Murroy-Aynsley, and G. B. Hart. It was also decided that the testimonial should take the form of a purse of sovereigns. The members of the general committee will receive subscriptions. Mx T. Gapes was appointed secretary.