PETONE'S TRIBUTE

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 141, 12 December 1923, Page 2

PETONE'S TRIBUTE

TO POPULAR POLICE OFFICER

FAREWELL TO SUB-INSPECTOR BIRD.

The citizens of Petone paid a tribute of respect and esteem to Sub-Inspector Bird last evening, when they assembeld in large numbers at the; Couscil Chambers to bid him good*-bye. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) presided, and the proceedings were enthusiastic, . fully demonstrating that the citizens recognised the good work performed liy the Sub-Inspector in Petone. The Mayor stated that they sincerely regretted Sub-Inspector Bird was leaving them. They wished him well in his new sphere. They all congratulated him on his promotion, which was well merited. Daring the seven years that Sub-Inspector Bird had been in charge 9 1 Hutt district the improvement had been most marked, and it was a tribute' to the inspector. Apart from his official capacity, he was also a good citizen, and Mrs. Bird was also highly respected and esteemed. Her work among the sick and distressed was well , ?V ,°? behalf o{ ihe citizen*, ho asked Snb^nspector .Bird to, accept a Petone rug and a well-filled wallet as E token of the high regard he was held by all sections of the community. (Applause.) To Mrs. Bird he handed a gold wristlet watch.

Mr J. Piper, J.P., on behalf of the local Justices of the Peace, wished the bub-Inspector well. He particularly wished to stress the great work Mr Bird had done with -erring children. By his fatherly manner he had placed many » boy on the right road! Under tha guidance of. Mr. Bird, Petone had aii upright and humanitarian Police Force a credit to the Department. Mr. and* efemW hf9ir kedn°blydD^>6

The Jlayor read a letter from the Mayor of Lower. Hutt (Mr W T Strand), .on behalf of the ■ residents' of the Hutt borough, congratulating SubInspector Bird on his promotion/ -while at the same time regretting that his advancement meant his removal from the district. ■•■■■.

Congratulatory speeches were also made by Messrs. B. W. Short, B. Savage, and A y Anderson.

• Sub-Inspector Bird was given an ovation when he rose to reply: "With all modesty he said that any success that lie might .have attained was due to the assistance he had' received from the citizens and his loyal staff. (Applause) He could not find words' to thank the people of Petone for their- kindness and beautiful presents, but he appreciated them very much. There was a' timewhen policemen' had been looked upon as human monsters, but that day had passed. The Police Force was now more concerned in preventing than punishing crime, and it was a good sign when the cells were empty. During his stay in Eetone he had received nothing but' kindness, courtesy, and respect/NanS he was. sorry to leave, a s he had made many firm friends.

: "For They Are Jolly Good Tellows" was enthusiastically sung, and the gathering terminated with the singing' "of "Auld Lang Syne." '