A POPULAR OFFICER

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 78, 1 April 1916, Page 9

A POPULAR OFFICER

PRESENTATION TO MR. J. W.

ELLISON.

FACTS CONCERNING THE POLICE FORCE.

During his long connection with the Police Force of New Zealand, ex-Super-intendent J. W. Ellison, who recently retired on superannuation, has not only proved a capable and zealous officer, but. has also won the esteem and respect of those with whom he has been associated. These facts were again demonstrated last evening, when as many of the force as could be spared from duty gathered at the Lambton Police Station to bid Mr. Ellison farewell.

Constable Simpson, who presided over the gathering, said that after guiding them and guarding them for so many years Mr. Ellison was leaving them, and they had gathered together to do honour to their late superintendent. They had thought it fitting to show their esteem in pome tangible way, and he asked Superintendent O'Donovan to hand over to Mr. Ellison a suitable presentation, which had been subscribed to by members of the force all over. the Dominion. The presentation consisted of a handsome smoker's companion, suitably inscribed, a substantial cheque, and a silver kettle with stand and spirit lamp for Mrs. Ellison. . J

In making the presentation, Superintendent O'Donovan laid particular stress on Mr. Ellison's long and favourable association with the force. He had been a model to them all, both in official practice and in private. The speaker had known Mr. Ellison for very many years, and had always found him readyand eager to render assistance to any member of the force who needed it. I Mr. Ellison had seen the ups and downs of the Police Force, and had shouldered great burdens—for there were times when the burdens were really great. The fact that members of the force from all over New Zealand had contributed to the presentation was an eloquent tribute to a man who had gained his popularity by sheer force of character and i ability. On behalf of the Police Force, he wished Mr. and Mrs. Ellison long l-life and happiness. Mr. Ellison's reply was brief and appropriate. It was very pleasing to him to receive such testimony from his comrades. He had seen the Police Force grow up during forty-three years, during which time it had com 6to the forefront of the Civil Service rapidly. He remembered the time when. the force was-at; a very-low ebb, when- it was cramped and 'stunted by mismanagement. In those dark days little encouragement was given to a man to rise high in the service; the wages were poor, and the treatment of the force at the hands of those in charge anything but just and reasonable. Happily, that state of affairs did not last long, and. a brighter day had dawned. As to the force itself, he could not pay it too high a compliment. He had* observed closely, and had never found ( any semblance of crooked work amongst the force, the1 members of which had always set an admirable example to other departments of the Civil Service. If an : undesirable character found his' way.into the force he did not last long, for the reason that the others simply would not. stand him. Mr. ■ Ellison also paid a compliment to the Detective Force, the members of which he had found alert, intelligent, and thorough in their. work. He could not wish to meet a better" set of detectives than Wellington possessed. After referring to other matters connected with the Police Department, Mr. Ellison said that he hoped the force would always be kept in the forefront of the Civil Service. He thanked the members of the force heartily for the high honour they had done him.