AFTER MANY YEARS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 13, 16 January 1926, Page 11

AFTER MANY YEARS

POLICE OFFICERS FAREWELLED

SUB-INSPECTORS KEMP AND

HOLLIS

TRIBUTES FROM BENCH AND BAB.

There was a representative gathering of the Bench and the Bar in the Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon, ■when a farewell was tendered i Sub-Inspectors T. S. C. Kemp and J. Hollis, wHo were recently promoted to the rank of inspector. Messrs. W. G. Eiddell, S.M., and E. Page, S.M., were on the Bench, and those present included Mr. P. S. K. Macassey (Crown Proseeutor)j Mr. M. Myers, K.C., ex-Commissioner O 'Donovan, ex-Superintendent M'Grath, Superintendent M'llveney, Superintendent Broberg, Mr. B. Kennedy (president of the Wellington Law Society), Mr. I. Salek (representing the Justices of the Peace), many members of the legal fraternity, detective branch, and Justices of the Peace. LAW SOCIETY'S TRIBUTE. "T desire if your Worships will permit: me to mention that two officers of the Police Force, Sub-inspector Hollis and Chief-Detective Kemp, both of ■whom have been intimately associated with the administration of criminal justice in this Court, are . about to depart to offices elsewhere in New Zealand," said Mr. Kennedy. "I will make on behalf of solicitors who usually practise here some remarks which those who havo had opportunities of observing the character and conduct of both desire me to make. Sub-Inspector Hollis bas been in Wellington in his present office for about a year, and lie will take with him upon his promotion to his new office the congratulations of all who have met him. "Chief-Detective Kemp has been in Wellington for four years, and has filled an office in which ho has very frequently come into contact with solicitors. I may tell him that we have heard with regret of his impending departure, although we naturally congratulate him on his well-earned preferment. The office of chief-detec-tive is a very important one, and one which calls for the exhibition of qualities which are not generally found in combination. A chief-detective must be zealous in the detection of crime, but he must also, as all officers know, be scrupulously fair in presenting to the notice of the Court the evidence against the accused person. He must not unduly press the facts. He must not strive merely for the victory. He must aim only to expose the truth. He should state what is in favour of an accused as well as what is against him. He must bear in mind that it is not only important that justice be dono, but that it is equally important that an accused, both before and more especially after arrest, be so treated that, if a conviction follows, it has the approbation of the public. A chief-detective must never lose sight of the traditional principles of British justice. It is because Chief-De-tective Kemp has in his conduct exemplified these principles, and because he has been uniformly courteous, fair, and just, that we have assembled here to extend to him our best wishes on his recent promotion." THE OPINION OF THE BENCH. Mr. Riddell apologised for the absence of Mr. C. Bi Orr Walker, S.M., who had been unavoidably detained. On behalf of the Magistracy of Wellington, Mr. Biddell said he wished to congratulate Sub-Inspector Hollis and j Chief-Detective Kemp on their promotion" to. the rank of inspector in the Police Force. Both were officers of experience and ability who had been in Wellington long enough for the Magistrates to form some estimate of thei* worth. Sub-Inspector Hollis had been here for a little over a year, and prior to coming to Wellington had had ex< perience.in the detective aad uniform branches. He had brought the benefit of that experience into his work here. "Chief Detective Kemp we know better," said Mr. Biddell, "because he received part of his early training in Wellington, under Chief-Detective M'ttrath, who was one of the ablest, if not the ablest, detective in Wellington. He was stationed here for some years, and was the first deteotive to be promoted to the rank of sub-inspec-tor. He had a very sound .knowledge of criminal law, and set a very high >tandard of efficiency in detective work. That same standard of efficiency was set in. the uniform branch by Sn^tnepectpr OT>onovan, who later lieftame Commissioner of Police. Severa! detectives followed, and all have tried to meet the standard of efficiency which was created. "As far as Chief-Detective Kemp is concerned, it seems to me that during the four years he has been wif;h us he has taken as his ideal that high standard of efficiency that was set before. During his term here he has discharged his duties both in and out of Court in a very able manner, so as to gain the respect and confidence of the Magistracy, the Bar, and the public. His work has been noted for the fairness he employed in presenting evidence against those who were unfortunate enough to be before the Court. "Both sub-inspectors have helped the Magistrates to carry out their duties in accordance with the best traditions of British justice. We regret the loss of their services. It will be a loss to Wellington, but we wish them success in their new districts, and hope they get future promotion in the police service.'' Mr. L Salek, on behalf of the Justices' Association, also spoke, and said the Justices all appreciated the help which had been given them by both officers. "HALL MAKE OF CHAEACTER." j "Your Worships, this is rather embarrassing to a man of my disposition, though I must admit it is a, proud moment,'' said the Chief-Detective in reply. The position of Chief-Detec-tive in a place like Wellington was no sinecure. It entailed endless cares and worries. His connection with dc- | tnctive work in Wellington commenced twenty-five years ago, and he re- j «allc(i some of the chief-detectives un- ' der whom he. had served. He. refer- j red to the fact, that moat of his cri- I minaJ work had come under Air. Page, S.M., whom he described, in the -rords of the Chief Justice. A3 "an adornment to the Bench." Mr. Page, he jaid t not onjy_ kad tins confideiice of

the Bar but the confidence of the police and the public. Mr. Kemp recalled the names of several eminent lawyers —Mr. A. Gray, K.C., Mr. Myers, K.C., Mr. Wilford, Mr. O'Leary—who had appeared daily in the Court in years gone by, and with whom in his work he had come into contact.

'' After a quarter of a century I am leaving this Court," he said, "which has been the scene of my little victories and losses. I came here as a young man full of ambition', and now when I leave I realise that the fulfilment of one's ambition is little more than an empty dream. You, Sir, who are able to judge, have put the hall-mark on my character. It will be my duty to. see that that hall-mark goes unsullied to the end." Sub-Inspector Hollis suitably ii;plied also.

PRESENTATION FROM THE STAFF.

Later, at the Detective Office, Mr. Kemp was presented with a pair of field glasses by Ms staff. In making the presentation, Superintendent M'llveney said while it was his pleasure to have had Mr. Kemp working, under him, 1 he had observed the very able manner in which he had carried out the duties which had devolved on him. "I know just how valuable your expressions of opinion have been," he said, "and how valuable they have been, not only to me, but in the head office."

Mr. Macassey said he had woTked •with Mr. Kemp in connection with the punishment of . crime >in both Courts, and he paid a tribute to the chief -detective's outstanding I knowledge of criminal law, his sound judgment, and his remarkaETe fairness. "I am sorry he is going away,'' said Mr. Maeassey. "I shall miss him very much indeed, but he will carry with him the very best wishes of the Bar in Wellington. " Mr. T. P. Mills, Probation OfficeT, also spoke. He described the chief deteefcive as a strong humanitarian with a large heart. "If he has ever orred, it has been on the side of the aeeus^ ed person," he said. "He hag a heart, very big, and I have learnt to love him." I wish him God-speed in his new work." . Detective Walsh, senior defective, paid a tribute to Mr. Kemp as an administrator and head of the staff. ' 'He has been an ideal chief-detective in every way," he remarked. Mr. Kemp briefly replied. He said he only wished he could express the sentiments he felt at severing his connection with Wellington after a quarter of a century's work. He paid a tribute to the detective staff, which he said was the best in New Zealand, containing men of good character, who had zeal and ability. "I hope we will always be on the very best of friendly terms," he concluded.

A canteen of cutlery was presented to Mr. Kemp for Mrs. Kemp".

Mr. Kemp went South to take up his duties at Timaru last night.