POPULAR OFFICER

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 10473, 31 December 1927, Page 10

POPULAR OFFICER

INSPECTOR, ECCLES FARE-

WELLED

TRTBT7TES FROM GISBORNE; FORCE

The esteem and popularity cloyed bv r Inspector W. Eccles among members of the Police Force in the Gisborne district was strikingly demonstrated by the sentiments uttered at a farewell gathering yesterday to the departing o/lieer on the eve o! his departure to take up the duties of Inspector in tile Hamilton pcl.ee district. Panic and file of the force throughout the district were represented and all testified to the fine characteristics of .Inspector Eccles as an officer 'and a“ man. There was general regret among members of the force at. losing so good a chief and comrade as inspector Eccles, said Senior-Sergt. McLean in opening tho function. Personally he had been associated with Inspector Eccles here but a short time, but he had known the departing chief by reputation for many years and knew everyone recognised in him a desire to give his colleagues a square, deal which was the most that anyone could expect. Whilst exercising strict discipline among his men Inspector Ecoles had /at the same time enforced it with mercy and kindness. .Before his departure for Hamilton on promotion to a district twice the size of Gisborne members of the force felt they must express their esteem iii sometangible form. The honor of making the presentation was deputed to .Detective McLeod being the oldest moodier of the force here. Ho recalled l when bland the inspector met first in Dunedin, some eighteen years ago, their chief .then being a sergeant. Tho speaker lost sight of the inspector for many years until lie came to Gisborne two years ago during which time his association with members of the force had been most pleasant. His departure from the district was a matter for widespread regret. This opinion lie had heard expressed by all classes of tho community. Inspector Eccles bad been more of a mate than an officer to the speaker poisonally, and their work had been done under the most pleasant circumstances. Whilst regretting his departure Detective McLeod said that as their chief was going to Hamilton on promotion lie honed that his stay there would he as pleasant as m Gisborne. On behalf of the force, lie then presented Inspector -B-cles with a handsome gold mouuii-d walking stick suitably inscribed 'for himself and a handsome cut glass jug and vase for Mrs Eccles, conveying to them the best wishes of the staff and compliments of .the season. Stating that lie was tho only member of -the local force who served under Inspector Eccles' as a countable, Sergeant Dempsey endorsed (he sentiments expressed. saying that the force bad grown to know him and that his requirements were )-i the highest interests of the service. He was closely associated with ihe constables all of whom recognised licit' Inspector Eccles’ promotion was well deserved. All members of the force had worked cheerfullv and without grumbling under the guidance of the departing officer and tlrlegret at his' departure was widespread. lie conveyed lu the inspector he si wishes for' the future and expressed the hope the time was not far distant when he would again have the pleasure of scrying undet him.

On helm If of members of the force 011 the Fast Const Sergf. Carroll, in regretting the linspector's departure, said that they were pleased that their chief had climbed a time higher on the ladder. Inspector Kccles. since he had been in tlio district, had always been most courte-ms to assist wherever ixissihle. It was some 20 years since the speaker had first met him. and in those days Inspector Codes was a. constable in the dockland district,' and by dint cf hard work and study Md risen to the important office which lie * <>w held. They would all look I'onvard with pleasure to any further prer- otion that he might receive. Constable A. Lcc-kio. on behalf of the constables of the district. remarked that during the time he had been with the service, he had served under 11 commissioned officers, and had never found one who nave a fairer deal than Inspector Kccles., JTe laid stress upon the assistance the inspector had given to the constables, pointing out that he had gone to great pains for wmr months to coach those constables who were sitting for their examination. However, what was their loss was Hamilton’s gain, and lie would wish Insnector Freles and .Mrs Feeles long life and happiness in their new homo. “The many kind remarks made about me are not altogether deserved,” began Inspector kccles, in reply. “If I have met with success during my term. here I attribute it to a very great extent to the kyaltv of the men.” He was leaving with mixed feelings of pleasure and regret, he continued —pleasure at the years spent with the force in Gisborne and regret at- the necessity for his departure. "While he ha 1 been in Gisborne he had tried, to instill the fundamental manciples underlying the force, and he pointed out that without the loyalty of the men the sv.ste.in would have become chaotic. Both branches of flic service had worked with the utmost loyalty, and it was a pleasure to have been associated with them; he could not have found a hotter lot of men anywhere in New Zealand. If the men were loyal to those above them they were doing a great deal towards the advancement and efficiency, of the service, and during his term of office here he had had the whole-hearted co-operation and loyalty of every unit of the force. The speaker had had the best non-commissioned officers under him; in Senior-Sergeant Fitzpatrick, who had just been promoted to the rank of sub-inspector' in Christchurch, lie had had atj excellent officer, and Senior-Sergeant McLean, who had replaced him, was an equally efficient man. He honed very soon to see Sergeant Dempsey promoted to the rank of senior-sergeant and wished him every success in the future. He had also to thank Detective McLeod, the oldest member of the Gisborne force for his whole hearted co-operation and attention t 6 duty, and wished all members of the force every success in the future. He would impress upon the men the desirability of looking forward to some objective, aTy.l if they did that there was no reason why each should not pass his examinations, and reach ,a, high position in the service, c , but that could only he done hv hard work and study. The speaker was

ahsolutelv satisfied that the police and public in Gisborne were on hotter terms than thev had ever I|?cn before, and fie would like "to*' than]; the law-abiding, citizens for their ooooeration with, thexforce. He must also thank the press for the squaredeal given to him. There had not. .>-yny-ane discordant, note in the rear" .police and the • -jjfcfc time he hqd. jjp--- 1 - 1 iwdcof-

TR WITTES BY BUSINESS '"MEN

Late in the afternoon Police Inspector Eccles was invited to meet a gathering of business men composed chiefly of members of the Rotary Club arid the Savage Club to which organisations lie has Belonged. Sterling tributes to the excellent manner inVhich lie had carried out l\is. important police duties here were paid and each of the speakers said lie would be. greatly missed for his ■good-fellowship. In reply, Mr Eccles said that He had thoroughly, enjoyed his association with the two ciubs mentioned and lie would retain fond recollections of the many pleasant gatherings that he had attended in Gisborne under their auspices.