NINETEEN YEARS' SERVICE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18969, 6 April 1927, Page 6

NINETEEN YEARS' SERVICE.

REV. F. RULE RETIRES. BENCH AND BAR MEET PROBATION OFFICER. Before commenting the sitting at the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, opportunity was -taken to say farewell to a very familiar figure in the Courts, the Probation ' Officer, the Rev. Frank Eule. Mr Rule is retiring from his position owing to the decision of the Department to introduce Government full time officials to carry out the probation system in each of the four main centres. Mr H. A. Young, S.M., presided and with him on the Bench were Messrs JJ. D. Mosley, S.M., H. P. La wry, S.M., S. E. McCarthy, H. Y. Widduwson, | and A. Williams. Mr Young said that together with j liis colleagues, he was sitting to express whole-hearted appreciation of the work done in Christchurch by Mr Rule, and the great esteem felt for a friend and fellow-worker. Associated with the speaker were the retired magistrates, who were Justices of the Peace, and the President of the J.P.'s Association. Recently the Department concerned with the probation system had decided to appoint a full time probation officer. Mr Rule had been unable to apply for that work on account of the pressure of his other social tasks. He had been a probation officer for 45 years, and had been doing social work iu Christchurch for the last eighteen years. At all times, day or night, he had ably and cheerfully assisted the Magistrates and all those brought before them. He had received a small allowance from the Government, an allowance, which was totally inadequate for the time and labour involved. Mr Eule's work had been a labour of love, and of great value to the community. The probation system ■was becoming greatly used, and it was now- recognised that it was necessary to have full time officers. "With great regret,'' said Mr Ttouug, "we sever our official relationship with Mr Rule, nnd we hope that for many years he will continue to carry out that work for which he is so eminently fitted." Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., said that lie had known Mr Rule in Canterbury for the last twenty years. Mr Rule had devoted his whole heart and soul to his work over a long period of years, and it was with sincere regret that he had learned of Mr Rule's retirement. "In the evening of his days we wish him every success and God speed.' Those who had come under Mr Rule's jurisdiction had had a lot to thank him for,, said Mr H. P. La wry, S.M. The great majority had been able to cairy out the terms of their probation with complete satisfaction, and Mr Rule had thus earned the gratitude of many. ''lll these times* we do not exercise go much the punitive as the reformative side of justice," said Mr McCarthy. "My Eule has displayed great wisdom. "Unless the probation system is administered wisely it will simply be an aid to crime and criminals. To his work Mr Rule has brought the grace of very matured wisdom." -!Mr H. "Y. Widdowson, said that the fact that the probation system had proved a success on aH hands was due to the work of men liko Mr Rule. The Department was to be congratulated in having had the services of Mr Eule and-those retiring with him. All knew of Mr Eule's great work in the City's, social , welfare, and his time ' would be well, occupied with this in the future. ' " ' Mr A. Williams,! president of the Canterbury Justices of the Peaeo Association, said that the City was losing a very trusted and valuable officer, and, on behalf of the Association he wished Mr Eule every success in the future, m his efforts in the interests of fallen hum of the Canterbury Law Society, Mr W. M. Hamilton, said that although he had not come into contact with Mr Rule very frequently, he had seen the great benefit of ,his work. Were 'it not for the ;probation officer, many people would lie lost as valuable mombeis of society. The speaker then read a letter of appreciation of Mr Rule s ' work, and regret at his retirement, from Mr W. J. Hunter, late president of the , Law Society. Mr Hamilton concluded that Mr Riile had brought the grace of humour to his other attributes. He might fitly be described us a "Father O'Flynn.". ■ ' Mr C. S. Thomas, representing the j criminal bar, .said that Mr Rulo had always been a keen officer. He is one of those 'rare birds'—if I may use the expression-—who is able to temper justice witti .ni.ercy, and there are many men and women in Canterbury w r ho thank Mr Eule for the opportunity to rehabilitate themselves. . For the police, Sub-Inspector Mathew spoke of tho genial and happy presence of Mr Eule in the Courts, and expressed- the regret felt by all tho police at' his retirement, also _ the hope- tliat he would not give up his good work. Major E. Barnes offered good wishes and regret at Mr Eule's retirement, on behalf of tho Salvation Army. Eeplying, Mr Rule said that tho question of emolument had never entered the question;.probation officers did their work for the love of it. "It is nearly - 19 years since a number of Presbyterian business men asked mo to start a branch of the Presbyterian Church's .social service work in tho Courts, and since then I have been in close touch with the work. lam grateful for the v?ry kind remarks and references to my-services." No' better successor, he said, could any man have than Mr A. Bissett, who took over the work of the Juvenile Court eleven years ago. Later, in the senior Magistrate's room the three Magistrates and Mr M. Foley , (clerk of the Court) presented Mr Eule with a gold-mounted fountain pen.