VALEDICTORY.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 12989, 11 January 1915, Page 3

VALEDICTORY.

PRESENTATION TO SERGT

WILLIS

A large number of Palmerston Justices of the Peace, met at the Court House on Saturday morning to bid farewell to Sergt. Willis, of the Police Force, who has been transferred to Feilding. Mr E. Edwards was in the chair, and said he was pleased to see such a large number of Justices present, to express their goodwill towards the Sergeant. All the Justices were unanimous in their expressions of goodfellowship, and were quite satisfied that Sergt. Willis had carried out his duties in a quiet, steady and efficient manner. He had much pleasure in presenting a gold medal to Sergt. Willis as a memento from Palmerston Justices. Mr Edwards also expressed goodwill to Mrs Willis. The medal was inscribed: "To Sergt. Willis from Justices of Palmerston, 1915." Mr H. J. Canton stated the Justices of Palmerston recognised merit and ability, and he thought the right thing had been done in making the presentation. The Sergeant had carried out his outies in a very efficient manner, and he hoped they would have the opportunity of seeing Sergt. Willis when he came to Palmerston on his visits.

Mr E. Gardner had had a good deal to do with Sergt. Willis, and had always found him an excellent officer in every way. He did not see any re,*fc<m why Palmerston should lose a good man when they got one, and he thought the Justices should be eo: suited more in regard to selecti : ; me a f' .r Falmerston. Mr /•. Watt said he had enjf d bis friendship with Sergt. Willis, and he appreciated his advice. The Sergeant always showed a certain amount of sympathy with prisoners, and always gyve justice. Mr W. Park also expressed appreciation at the able manner in which Sergt. Willis had carried out his duties, and wished him evey suceeßS in his new sphere. j Mr J. H. Hankins said he was not a ! J.J?., and apologised for intruding at the meeting, but he wished to inform Sergt. Willis that the members of his profession wcutd not fail to recognise his ability, justice, and fair play.

Sub-Inspect or Marsack endorsed the sentiments of previous speakers. He took the sentiments not only as a compliment tt; tbe Sergeant, but to the whole fcice. He had been in Palm erst en for 2 -!•> years and had had an excellent epp..n unity of judging Sergeant Willis. The Sergeant had not only been his right hand man, but also his friend. lie regretted losing Sergeant Willis, but his transference was pr imoticn, and really speaking, he was only going r.cxt door. As a gentleman Sergeant Willis was always honourable, a'.id ha<t a large streak of human nature through his being.

Sergt. Willis t.eartillv thanked the Justices ler their presentation and kind sentim"nts. :tri< 1 stated his relations with the Justices had always been satisfactory, and he hoped his successor's would be the same. Once again he thanked them for their present and stated he would treasure it for all time. (Applause.)