POLICE SERGEANT’S RESIGNATION

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27443, 1 September 1954, Page 12

POLICE SERGEANT’S RESIGNATION

DISCUSSION IN HOUSE (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, August 31. The Minister in charge of Police (Mr W. H. Fortune) today offered in Parliament to show the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) the departmental file on a former police sergeant, Mr J. B. Kearton, who resigned some months ago. Mr Kearton was official photographer in Christchurch. The House of Representatives was discussing the Police Department vote when Mr Nash asked why Sergeant Kearton. who had 32 years* service in the force and was doing a magnificent job, had been transferred to Nelson. It was such a shock to him, said Mr Nash, that he resigned. Later, because the department said he did not withdraw his resignation within one month, he had to leave the force. Mr J. K. McAlpine (Government, Selwyn): Do you know his whole history? Mr Fortune: I will give you a look at his file.

Mr Nash replied that he was only acting on evidence given to him. He understood that somebody else was to get Sergeant Kearton s job. but while Sergeant Kearton remained in his position the other man could not take over.

Mr Fortune said that Sergeant Kearton was certainly not transferred because someone else wanted his job. A sergeant was required in Nelson, and Sergeant Kearton was transferred there. Nelson was a very desirable station. Since his resignation the work was being done by a constable.