OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14193, 6 November 1911, Page 9

OBITUARY.

EX-POLICE INSPECTOR PENDER

AX EVEXTFtTL CAREER

Ex-Police* Inspector Peter Pcnder, •who had Jived in retirement at Rcddiffs for several years past, died at his residence early yesterday morning. The Into Mr Ponder was ono of the l>estknown police officers in New Zealand, and had nn unusually eventful career. Ho was born in Wexford, Ireland, where \he received his education. After a shcirt period of farming ho joined tho Royal Irish Constabulary as a lad, and soon afterwards was sent on a special mission to England and Wales. Not long after his return ho was promoted to tho position of sergeant, and took up h;s duties, serving in some of tho disturbed districts At tho time, of .tho SmithO'Hrien troubles. In 1851 Mr Pender joined the Mounted Staff Corps, winch numbered sixty men, and was known as "Lord Raglan's." After drilling at Knightsbridgo, London, tho company wns sent to the Crimea. Mr Pcmlnr was present at tho several attacks on, and at tho taking of Sevastopol, and afterwards at tho battle of Tchenerc; subsequently ho went with tho First, Royal Dragoons, who were acting with •tho FTench, to tho interior of tho Crimea, on a reconnoitering expedition. On his return he wintered at Scutari, Constantinople. After this the lato Mr Ponder joined Colonel Grant in tno Interior of Turkey-in-Asia to assist in organising tho Turkish Contingent Cavalry. Returning to Constnntinoplo, ho went, back to Britain and re-joined tho Irish OonstabuV»ry. 11l 1806 ho came out to the colonies, landing nt Melbourne, and after a few months on the Ovens goldnelds he joined the Victorian police as a constable. Lator he served with O Ilara Burko. who after distinguished himK«lf as an explorer in Central Australia. In the Kcrrv Country, on tho border of Now South Wales, the lato Mr Ponder served for five years, and in 1862, with three others, volunteered to assist in organising the police, force in Canterbury. For thirty years nfter his arrival in Xew Zealand, with the except ion of a- few years spent in Tirnnrti, lie this etntionrd in Christchurch.' In IR6S) he was promoted to the position of of Police, and was transform! to Wellington in ISD2.

Tlirre years Inter he was sent on a 1 special * mission to Enulaml. Mr Prmler was married in 1H64 in ChristeWoh to Miys O'Hnra. who died in T?9l. Ivavincf two sons and four

('nucht«r<;. ITf retired on pension in •Tunp. IPOC!'. nnd took up his rcsidrnco at RodoHffs. Tho lato T'tspcctor Pendor l">ld tho m and rlnsp for Rebn=to.rol.'thf Turkish medal, nnd tho New lo"t; sorvico modal. Solemn Ttoqtiiftn Afa«<« will bo rolcbrated in tho Roman Catholic Cat!"Hlral tomorrow at 0 a.m.. and tho funeral (which will bo nrivaM will tnko p'are> immediately afterwards.