SUPERINTENDENT M‘GRATH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18687, 17 October 1922, Page 8

SUPERINTENDENT M‘GRATH

A POPULAR POLICE OFFICER. Superintendent' M’Grath, who is retiring on superannuation after 44 years of service, was entertained at a sociality members of the police force at Kroon’s Hall last evening. The social was largely attended, and was marked by an excellent camaraderie. Sub-inspector Eccles occupied the chair. ■ After a number of musical items Dr Evans proposed the toast of “The Police Force.’’ He said that his toast was second only to the toast of the evening, and referred in semi-humorous vein to the many responsibilities' which fell on the force. He asked them to drink the health of that efficient and most deservedly popular body of men, the police force. The toast was enthusiastically honoured, 1 Senior-sergeant Mathieson replied to the toast on behalf of the police force.- _ The Chairman proppsed the toast of Ex-Superintendent MTJrath. He said that they were gathered 'there tha.t evening to do honour to Ex-Shtperintendent ■'M’Grath, who was retiring from the police force. Their guest of the evening had joined (he armed constabulary as a raw recruit away back in June, 1878. He had been through Parihaka and through the various branches of the force till he had reached the rank of superintendent. During 25 years of his service he had served in the detective force, and had been called on to carry through many important cases, his work in which had always been marked with the greatest care, intelligence, and foresight. It was, however, as an inspector and a superintendent that their guest had displayed his greatest ability in the police force. He would say without (ear of contradiction that Ex-Superintendent M’Grath had proved one .of the best officers ho had ever served Under.—(Loud applause.) Ho thought in saying that he was echoing the voice of every man in the Otago and Southland division;—(Applause.) Their ex-superinten-ident’s control had alwavs been marked with kindness and (consideration. . There was nothing of the' martinet about him. The days of the ‘martinet, in fact, were past, and, moreover, ho was not necessary, as in his (the speaker’s) opinion they had the most efficient police force in the world. He considered that* this pleasing state of affairs had been brought about in a large degree by the fact that during the past 25 years they had had officers from the police force as comnlissionors. Every policeman knew, and also every layman, too, that for the police force to bo brought up to an efficient state they must have a police officer rising from the ranks as the “head seraing.” The officers in the lower ranks, and one of them was Mr M’Grath, had also played their part in building up the officering of the force. The great tact, *i 1 ' lc j 1 y manner, and discretion of Mr , c" ral h had played an important part in placing him in the high position to which he, had attained. That his work had been appreciated was demonstrated by the large attendance that night of policemen and officers from the Otago and Southland district. Ihe young policeipen had always received a square deal from Mr M’Grath—(applause)— and he had always been very good to the man who walked the beat. Mr M’Grath Lorn A to Z—no man knew it better. There was no intricate case or question of law that he could not unravel. He had worked himself to his high position n s J leer ability.—(Loud applause.) .Both the plain clothesmen and the men of .o bther ranks would sever their connection with him with very great regret. The speaker went on to refer to the excellent work done by Superintendents M’Grath and . n Sht in getting the police pension scheme inaugurated. Commissioner Tunbridge had also assisted grealty in the movement. He hoped that their reliring superintendent j 1 ,V on ° s ,P a FP d t 0 en i°. v good health and that ho would live to spend many hapn v applause')' 5 n °' V home in Wellington,—(Loud

Chief Detective Bishop said that ho was parting with one. of his best friends in the P °l IC ?,,?. rce -, He haci known ex-Superintend-ent m Grath for abfiut 30 years, and had served tinder him, he supposed, longer than anyone there that night. He had taken his first degree as it were, from Mr vf<n a !i "r, ICn ho ' vas Chief Detective A 1 Grath. There was no better man in the police force.-(Loud applause.) Mr M'Grath had always looked after his subordinates and had seen to it that they had received every consideration ahd justice.—(Applause.) Tie their ox-superintendent on being blessed with a very fine wife and a very fine family.—(Applause.) Senior-sergeant Mathieson said that he had first met Mr M'Grath 25 years ago. . a matter of fact ho owed his presence m the police force to the , help he had recoived from Mr M'Grath. Some 21 or 22 years ago it was a much harder matter to get into the police force than it was that a 6, re , fo 7 ed to the fine work Mr M Grath had done as a member of their Appeal Board. Mr M'Grath was a fine stamp of police officer and a splendid organiser, and he had not been spoilt as his promotions had come to him,—(Loud apHe was glad to see a number cf the retired constables with them that night to do honour to (heir cx-superintendent (Applause.) The toast was ’drunk with musical honours and cheers, and three cheers were also given for Mrs M'Grath.

The chairman then presented ex-Superin-tancient M'Grath with a handsome coffee service, a set of stainless knives, a photograph of the last parade of the Dunedin Police Force, and a gold chain and locket. He also presented him with a handsome bag for Mrs M'Grath and a bangle for Miss M'Grath.

Ex-superintendent M'Grath, who was received with loud applause, said that ho had to thank them most heartily for the splendid testimony of their friendship they had given him that evening. He was pleased and proud to see such a,large gathering of his comrades to bid him good-bye on the, eve of his retirement from the police force. Many of them had come long distances, at much inconvenience ho was sure, and their presence was on that account all the more appreciated by him.' He noticed with great pleasure that some of his oldest comrades of the old days were there, looking hale and hearty. He thought that some of them had now been on the pension list for a long time. That encouraged him to think that he too would survive the shock of being severed from his old associations. He had always valued the good opinions of the men who had been associated with him in the force above all others (applause), and he had every desire not only to gain but to deserve that good opinion.—(Applause.) That he had succeeded in gaining it was clear from whit had been said that night and from their presence in such large numbers (applause), and above all by the very handsome and valuable presents they had given him, and for ifhich ho sincerely thanked them one and He also had to thank them very heartily for the presents for his wife and daughter. He was quite sure that they would be surprised and would appreciate the gifts very much indeed. He had been very pleased indeed with the remarks that had been made about him .Ho knew of course that they were not deserved (Voices: Yes they were), but nevertheless ho appreciated them deeply. He would always have many pleasant memories of his long connection with the police force, hut the function that night would certainly be the brightest of the memories of the past.—(Applause.) Dr Evans had spoken of the kindness (he police might show to the 1 public. That was quite true, and he would advise the young policeman never to miss a chance of doing a kind action. He desired to thank Dr Evans for keeping him in good repair since ho had been in Dunedin Ho would also like to congratulate the force and the citizens of Dunedin on the appointment of such an excellent officer as Superintendent Marsack. Superintendent Marsack was taking charge of a district where there was probably Jess crime than any other place in the world — (applause)—ami of a division of the police that was second to none in the dominion. He had had' a very easy time during his three years in Dunedin, and this was due to the. fact that the whole of the staff throughout (ho district, from top to bottom, had performed their duties in n highly satisfactory manner. He had had no trouble at all. He was sorry to leave Dunedin, where he had many friends, but for family reasons ho found it necessary to settle m Wellington He desired to warmly thank the promoters of such a highly successful gathering, and all of those who had in any way assisted in making it such a pleasant function. He would bo very hard to please indeed if ho did not feel very happy that m.'.it I thank you all very heartily,” he concluded amidst applause. lire Chairman proposed the health of Superintendent Marsack, He said that Superintendent Marsack was a man after ex-Superintendent M'Grnth’s own heart. Superintendent Marsack, in replying, said that a more loyal comrade than ex-Superin-tendent M'Grath it had never been his pleasure to meet. He asked the membcis of the force for their loyal support. They would ihen be tho happy family that ho always liked to see in the force, and (ho public would reap the benefit of their services. —(Applauso.l Ho wanted to follow as well as ho .could in the footsteps of their ex-superintendent. Ho had not a very long time to put in before he would have to retire, and if ha was held in but a, tithe

of (he respect which was accorded their exsuperintendent ho would bo well satisfied. —(Applausd.) A number of other toasts were also proposed and responded to. An excellent programme of songs, instrumental items, etc,, wag given by members of the police force and a number of visitors. A special wotd of praise should be given to the members of the force who organised and so capably carried .out the social.