AN APPRECIATION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 75, 30 March 1914, Page 7

AN APPRECIATION

THE LATE CONSTABLE MAHONEY. (By "W.F.") "Dennis you are too good. Ypii know they don't appreciate it as they should. You're a brick." Thus spoke the late Dr. M'Arthur. at a sitting of the Upper llult Court some time ago. to Constable Dennis Mahoney. Coimtable Mahoney ftniled genially and replied : "It's all right, sir. Thai's all right. Will yon lake the- next nisc, tfir?" And in his hadte to hush up the incident the constable called the next defendant in much loiider tones than were necessary, considering the restrictions of the local Courthouse. It was Dr. M'Arthtir's turn to smile, and he did fio to otheie gath' ered in the Court. The writer is now nt liberty to divulge the incident which gave rise to what is lecorded above. The constable had paid, out cf his own pocket, a fine imposed at a previous silting of the Court— had paid it becaime the defendant was in unfortunate circumstancps', and was unable to meet tho liability himself. It would have been the duty of the constable 1o secure a warrant' for the man's imprisonment-— a course lie would never take. In his remarks the late Dr. M'Arthm was only partially reirect. "They don't appreciate it ass they .should." Many— an overwhelming majority —did appreciate it. and they would have rcupected tho man all the more had they known everything. A few irresponsible, such as exist in any community, took fldvnn* tage of Ins kindheavtcdnces. But he continued to treat all alike, and bore malice to none. lie was an institution at Up* per Hutt ; a charitable institution. He wa* ft typical t-onntry policeman, whom the uniform did not suit. As a matter of fart, he seldom wore the blue root except on Court daju. Court day. which came once a month, was a great day foi him. 01' Are you coming up on Wednesday," he would any to a Post reporter. "Something big on. Just want to yon tlie tip. John — and Bill . have had n fine row. Assault cusp. See yon hit-er." Then ho would disappear. Constable Mahoney wa« ever reluctant to arrest anybody, and except when duty absolutely colled for it. he would never take anyone into custody. Ho Was nlwnyu there to a««!<=t those in trouble, and wonM be the last to cause difitress, bo it ever so small. The kind action mentioned in this appreciation w&s oniv

ono of many similar actions. Upper Hutfc is the poorer for Constable Mahoney'fc dtaVK. Ho wtis &n object lcisson lor all. He bubbled over with good nature. He'wns. as the lato Magtes* trale eaid, "a brick."