POLICE OFFICERS FAREWELLED AT GREYMOUTH

Grey River Argus, 12 October 1949, Page 2

POLICE OFFICERS FAREWELLED AT GREYMOUTH

Three members of the Greymouth Police Force were on Monday evening accorded a rousing reception by the citizens of Greymouth in a true West Coast manner This was the second occasion within a week that a representative gathering of the public of Greymouth and the surrounding districts have turned out to pay homage to departing members of the constabulary. The guests of the evening were Sergeants B. W. Wootton and H. O. Hansen and Detective-Sergeant N. Thompson who leave for Dunedin, Palmerston North, and Nelson respectively. Mr A. Beban, who presided, said that Greymouth was losing three efficient officers and as most people knew them, thorough gentlemen. He emphasised the point that all three had carried out their duties in a scrupulously fair manner. Mr Beban said that he was delighted to join with the people of Greymouth in honouring the departing guests, first as friends, then as imn who carried out their duty with merit and honour. He wished them and their families health, happiness and prosperity in their new localities. Mr D. R. Dowell, on behalf of the gathering made a presentation to each of the guests and said that it gave him great pleasure at being called upon to act in such a capacity. He said that he knew all three both as citizens and in their efficent duties and their fair mindedness and sincerity of purpose was undoubted. He wished them every success in their new appointments which were all on promotion. . Mr T. Mclntosh thanked the guests for the co-operation they had so readily given the Fire Brigade at all times. The brigade, he said, was fortunate to have benefited from the years of experience of the three officers. He had not known them as citizens, but as men of outstanding qualities on duty he could say much in their favour. He wished them and their families continued success in the future.

Mr P. Blanchfield said that the West Coast had always been noted for records. “We had great statesmen in the late Richard Seddon, Harry Holland and James O’Brien. The day the Canadian soccer team was beaten in Greymouth, West Coast, defeated the strong Auckland Rugby League team at Carlow Park. In the ring, on the race track and on the football field we have had record holders. To-night we have established a new record with the citizens of Greymouth turning up in such large numbers to farewell members of the police force." He wished to reiterate the remarks of the previous speakers and stressed the point that nothing would be a success unless there was co-operatior and in the members of the police force in Greymouth we had this very necessary feature. The gathering was a great testimonial to the good wives of the departing men, he concluded. Mr R. R. King 'endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers and said that he had known all three officers since they came to the town. Each one had done his work thoroughly and with common sense. “Common sense and j our own discretion is better than . any rule book,” he added. This was a predominant feature in the work of the departing officers who were leaving the district on advancement which was a credit to them. He wished them and their wives everything they wished themselves. Mr J Forrest said that he could only endorse the remarks of previous speakers and said that he had known the officers in both private and official capacities and had not known better fellows. He wished them every success in the future. Mr A. Jacobs said that he had met them intimately and thanked them for the consideration they had givc-n—if any (laughter). He wished them and their families the best of luck in their new appointments. Mr J. Foster said that it gave him great pleasure to say a few words as a son-in-law of one of the departing guests. In Mr and Mrs Wotton he said he had an exemplary mother and father-in-law, they being of a kindly disposition and no one could realise how much he and his family would miss them. He assured them that their' kindnesses would never be forgotten. He also wished the other guests and their families every futture happiness.

Other speakers who sounded the praises of the guests were Messrs H. Morgan, R. Gardiner, W. Haybittie, T. Johns, T. P. Ryan, F. Breeze, W. R. Smart, J. Russell, T. Gifford and J. Stackhouse.

On behalf of the ladies, Miss T. Scully, Mesdames T. Dargan C. V. Beaumont and D. R. Dowell spoke in glowing terms of the wives of the guests of the evening.

Sergeants Wootton, and Hansen and Detective-Sergeant Thompson all suitably replied. Occasion was taken to bid good luck to Mr V. McHerron on the eve of his departure for Australia with the St Kilda Band. He was accorded musical honours. 1

Appropriate toasts were honoured and items were rendered by Messrs J. Lalor, D. McGill, R. Malpass, P. Blanchfield, V. McHerron, and Miss Scully. Mrs R. Buchanan was accompanist.