POPULAR POLICE OFFICER

Evening Star, Issue 21708, 1 May 1934, Page 11

POPULAR POLICE OFFICER

DETECTIVE-SERGEANT HUTTALL FABEWELLED The popularity of Detective-sergeant Nuttali, of the local detective branch, with all members of the Dunedin Police Force, was illustrated last evening when, on the eve of his departure for Napier, where he joins the uniform branch with the rank of sergeant, he was farwelled at the Central Police Station by a large and representative gathering of the force. Chiefdetective J. B. Young presided, and many tributes were paid to Mr Nuttall regarding his ability as a police officer and his personal worth. Mr Young said that Detective-ser-geant Nuttali had been stationed at Dunedin for over five years, and during that time he had earned the esteem and admiration of every member of the police force in the district and also of the good-meaning members of the community. Ho had spent a good deal of his time in the plain-clothes branch of the service, and he did not think there was any man better liked by the uniform branch than Mr Harry Nuttali. The number of the..uniform men present was an indication of the esteem in which they held-him. His ability as a detective was well-known, and so far as involved cases were concerned the speaker did not think there was any man in the New Zealand police force better qualified to deal with them than Detective-sergeant Nuttali. Mr Young thanked Mr Nuttali for the assistance he had been to the speaker during the time he had been in Dunedin. He regretted that it was on account of illhoalth that Mr Nuttali was leaving Dunedin for Napier and going into the uniform branch. They all hoped that the transfer would have a beneficial effect upon the health, of Mr Nuttali and his wife, and also that they would have the pleasure of his association again in the not distant future. Senior-sergeant Mac Lean said that they hoped Mr and Mrs Nuttali. would benefit by the change in Hawke’s Bay. Mr Nuttali was one of the “ whitest ” men the speaker had ever met, and they were all sorry to lose him (Applause. ) Sergeant Boulton said that Mr Nuttall had been a wonderful comrade, and his career had been one to be proud of. He had never yet heard a man say a bad word against their friend, Harry Nuttali, and his sojourn here would leave very pleasant memories behind. The remarks of these speakers were endorsed by Sergeant Vaughan (on behalf of the sectional sergeants). Detective ■ geant Dnyle, Sergeant M'Knt.ree (on behalf of the South Dunedin

station), Detective J. Russell, and Constables S. Holder, W. Brown, Brooks, T. Johnson, and Ledlie, and a tribute to Mr Nuttali was also paid on behalf of the Press. The presentation of a fire screen, fender, and log box was then made by Mr Young, and in the course of a feeling reply Mr Nuttali said that it was most gratifying to him to see such a large representation of both branches of the service. During his twentyseven years in the service he had made good friends in both branches of the service, and he decided to acknowledge the consideration he had received from officers and from ail members of both branches. If he had been of assistance to any member of the uniform branch it was a pleasure. On behalf of his wife and himself he thanked them most sincerely for their presentation, _ which would bring to them recollections of the happy days they had spent in Dunedin. (Applause.) The gathering then joined in singing ‘ Auld Lang Syne.’ Mr Nuttali left for the north by the through express this morning.