INSPECTOR ECCLES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19102, 22 February 1924, Page 2

INSPECTOR ECCLES.

PRESENTATION FROM SOCIAL WORKERS. A number of the social workers of the city and others met in the matron’s room at the police station yesterday morning to make a presentation to Inspector Eccles, formerly sub-inspector at Dunedin, who has been transferred to Greymouth. The Rev. V. G. Bryan King said that the social workers of the city wished to congratulate Inspector Eccles most heartily on his promotion, which he richly deserved ; and at the same time they wished to express their deepest appreciation of the great kindness they had always received from him during his tenure as sub-inspector in Dunedin. They could not speak too highly of the help he had always given them” They had been very forunato in the stamp of men that they had had to deal with in the pblico force in Dunedin; whether they went to them, by day or by night they could rely on the members of the police force obliging them. And there Was no member from whom they had had greater consideration than from Inspector Fed ps. They hoped that the time was not far distant when they would have him back in Dunedin holding an even higher position than ho did at the present time. Their memories of him would be very happy. On behalf of the social workers- Mr King asked Inspector Eccles to accept a gold inscribed pendant as a token of their esteem and appreciation of his kindness. Mr F. G. Gumming said that he desired to associate himself heartily with what Mr King had said. His duties as probation officer had brought him into touch with Inspector Eccles more than had anyone else’s, and he wanted to bear his testimony to the latter’s kindness. As sub-inspector he had granted any attention asked for. Mr Gumming, said that they wished Inspector Eccles all success in his future work, and said that they would give his successor tlie same support as they had given him. They hoped to see him back in Dunedin shortly as superintendent, a position which he would no doubt attain if his health permitted. Mrs Jackson, Sister Nora, and the Rev. Mr Waymouth endorsed all that had already been said. The Rev. G. E. Moreton said that in the course of his work he had frequently been in a position to appreciate the recipient’s kindness. Like the late chief detective, Mr Frank Bishop, Inspector Eccles had tried to jjrive everyone a chance, and nearly always had something to say in favour of all. Chief-detective Lewis said that he did not think he could do more than say that the police had appreciated Inspector Eccles’s kindnesses just as much as the social workers had. He had shown to his colleagues the same consideration as ho had to the social workers, and Mr Lewis expressed the opinion that if anyone did not get on well with Inspector Eccles at his new station it would not be the fault of Inspector Eccles. _ • Senior-sergeant Mathieson said that he had been associated with Inspector Eccles for about four years, and he considered that they were losing a friend who had also been a very good officer. Inspector Eccles had certainly deserved his promotion, which ho had earned by examination, seniority, and hard work, and which be had not obtained by the “short-cut through the district office.” Inspector Eccles, in expressing his thanks for the gift, said that his duties in Dunedin had been very happy. His relations with the social workers had always been pleasant. They had carried out their noble work admirably, and he hoped that it would be continued in Dunedin with success. It was appreciated by the police. His success had been largely due to their assistance and to the support he had received from his non-commissioned officers, the detectives, and the constables. Without the co-opera-tion of the detective force tlie work of the police could not be carried out with much success, and the relations between the two branches of the force were of the best. The late Chief-detective Bishop had been a kindly, genial man, for whom they all tied sincere regard, and it could safely bo said that Chief-detective Lewis was following in his footsteps.—(Applause.) After expressing his appreciation of the assistance of tlie press, Inspector Eccles concluded by remarking that he had .never known the public to lie on better terms with the police than was the case in Dunedin at the present time. PRESENTATION PROM POLICE. There was a largo muster of the police and detectives at the station last night, when Inspector Eccles was presented with a gold-mounted ebony walking stick, a sot of stainless cutlery and spoons, a set of military hairbrushes, and a manicure set. The presentation ■ was made by Superintendent Norwood, who bore further testimonoy to the buallties of Inspector Eccles as a police officer and as a man. Chiefdetective Lewis. Senior-sergeant Mathieson, the sergeants, suburban constables, and other members of the force added appreciative remarks. CITIZENS’ PRESENTATION. At 4 o’clock this afternoon a citizens’ presentation vrill be made to Inspector Eccles at the Commercial Travellers’ Club. It is expected that the Mayor (Mr H. L. Tanley) will preside over the gathering, which, it is expected, will be well attended.