EX-INSPECTOR GILLIES.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 13980, 1 March 1911, Page 5

EX-INSPECTOR GILLIES.

» PRESENTATION FROM POLICE FORCE. At tne Christcharch Police station yesterday afternoon, after the monthly parade of the members of the police ioroe. a gathering, which was largely '/ attended, was held in the library for the purpose of making a presentation to ex-Inspector Gillies. Sub-In&peetor MeGrath presided, and Inspector Kiely was also present. In presenting Mr Gillies, op behalf of the lorce, -with a Chesterfield suite, and asking him to accept for Mrs Gillies a handsome diamond brooch, and ior Miss Newsomc (Mr Gillies's niece) a handsome diamond bracelet, Sublmpector MeGrath said that the presentation was intended to show the high esteem in which Mr Gillies was held t>y the force. He (Mr MeGrath) did not intend to say anything regarding Mr Gilhes's long and honourable career I? 10 . lorep —the no-wspapcrs of the Dominion had generously done him justice in that respect. It was twentyfive years since he first met Mr Gillies, who was then a sergeant stationed at Auckland, and then as ever he possessed the respect and esteem of his comrades and the confidence of his superiors. When he (Mr MeGrath) was appointed sub-inspector at Christ- i church, Mr Gillies was the first to send him a kind congratulatory tele- ; gram. Mr Gillies was a strict dis-; ciplinarian, but■ •-was never harsh or! unkind to anyone. He was sorry to ; lose him as a colleague and as his chief, j but he tras glad to know that he re- j tamed his friendship. He voiced the j feplines of the force generally \n wishing Mr Gillies a long and happy" life to enjoy his well-earned pension and tho companionship of his estimable wife, whoso neighbourly kindness in times of sickness lie would always remember. (Applause.) Chief Detective Bishop, on behalf of the detective branch, concurred with the remarks made by Mr MeGrath, and added that ho did not wish to serve under a better inspector. The detectives during the period Mr Gillies was in charge, had spent a very happy time. Inspector Kioly said that he could not let the opportunity pass without adding his tribute to that of those who bad spoken. Ho had known Mr Gillies since 1882, when both were-serving in the Auckland district and had succeeded ; him in some of the stations where he served. During his official career. Mr Gillies had earned flic res?ioct of the public and the confidence of those who served under him, and tliev nil regretted his retirement from the service at such an oarlv ago. H rt found, or succeeding Air Gillies in Christohurch. that Mr Gillies was held in the highest respect by his men and by the public generally; when it came to his own turn to drop the reins of office, he hopor , j that he would bo held in the samp re- j spect by the public nn»l the men serving ; under him. Personally, he would *ay to Afr Gillios "God-snood,". and would boprv that he would hove many happy days to enjoy the rest to which he war entitled. (Apnlniiso.) Sersp:\nt« McLennan ami Bird and Constable Kestor endorsed tho romnrkr of the previous speakers. Mr Gillies, who wa.s received wit-- n;i plause, iwiid that he was at a lors t<find suitable expression for his thank< for the very kind remarks that hud been made. Mrs Gillies. Miss Newsomc and himself would always foci grateful for the magnificent presents and for thr affection that hnd prompted th«iv; who had given tlu-m. It was close upor nine years sinrp he look charge of the Canterbury district, nnd when he arrived the only person in tho Dcpai tinon'. that he kiiew was* Inspector Elli-on whom he succeeded. He had done hi best, as ho hnd always done whilst in the service, to satisfy the public and to lie just and fnir to the men rerviiiunder him. He had been n strict disci plinarinn, but he had been brought mi der strict discipline in the Irish Con stnbulary. Since 1875 ho had been in i the New Zealand force, ;ind the mat j who would not be satisfiod with thoi service and to retire, on a decent pension was a glutton. (Laughter.) Hγ was not sorry to leave the Department. He had fully made up his mind, who; j the last Commission was held, to lon v< j the service after he had completed ?<•' years' service. He did not need to g<; into details, because he was not suiisiied how tilings wore being done. l\v was not, however, going out of Liv force as a man with a grievance; ho could assure them that they would never find him a man with a grievance If sit any time ho was in a. position t»: serve any member of the police force, of ihe Dominion, he would do so. He referred in eulogistic terms to tin career ol Hlib-Inupcctor MeGrnth, ati'l said th.it as sub-inspector at Chri.it church no man could have been mon? faithful or could hnvo doiip \m work hotter than Mr MeGrath. During the nine years he (Mr Gillies) had been ii. charge at Christehureh, 98 per cent. >.i. tho crime reported had been detected and the 1 per cent, undetected wa> I crime ill respect to which the property could not be identified. This result, h said, was duo. to the energy, zeal, and loyally of those \vhr> hnd served undri him, and lie thanked all ranks for the loyal support they had given him. lU thought ho was handing over to Inspector Kiely :i body of men as efficient ar any in the Dominion, and from what Ik know of them they would be as loyal to Mr Kiely as they hnd been to him. He had known Mr Kiely for thirty-tlirco years, and ho did not know of <>no crooked poult in his whole carcor. Tho men when they wont before him would receive justice. Ho could not, he added, sni'ak too highly of the detoctivo branch, the members ol which h:id always boon loyal nnd had done their work well, never taking the question of hours into consideration. H>' paid n high tribute to the district staih mid said of Sergeant MoLcnnnii that a mnro conscientious and. more trustworthy officer was noi in tho service. Mrs Gillies Jind desired him to thnnk tho numbers of the force for their kindly thought)illness in enquiring for him when ho was ill and was unable to sec them. (Applause.; Cheers were then given for Mr and Mrs Gillies, and tho company sang "For He's a Jolly Good Follow.' , Air Gillies then shcuk hands with tho officers and men.