WAIMATE LONG SERVICE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23114, 31 January 1945, Page 3

WAIMATE LONG SERVICE

Retirement Of Sergeant W. P. Gilligan Public Farewell

Sergeant W. P. Gilligan, who has been in charge of the Waimate police station fox - more than three years, received many tributes to his work and popularity from representative citizens, who met to honour him on his retirement after a period of 38 years of service. A presentation was made, and good wishes were expressed to Sergeant and Mrs Gilligan for their future happiness in Christchurch, where they are taking up residence. Reference to Sergeant Gilligan’s long period of service was made by the Mayor <Mi' W. F. Boland), who said he had been promoted to the rank of sergeant in September, 1922. He had exercised excellent control in Waimate, and crime was lacking in the town. On behalf of the citizens he tendered to Sergeant and Mrs Gilligan good wishes for a happy retirement well earned by long and meritorious service. Inspector D. L. Calwell, who is in charge of the South Canterbury police district, expressed thanks to the citizens of Waimate cox' the kindly interest shown toward Sergeant Gilligan, the speaker remarking that he took this as a tribute to the service generally. He spoke of the variety of duties which the Police Department vias called upon to undertake, and tendered thanks for the co-operation civen by the various local bodies and citizens generally. He said the police were loyal to the public and always gave of their best. Sergeant Gilligan, with 38 years of service to his credit, was deserving of the appreciation of the public. On behalf of the Department, Inspector Calwell expressed best wishes to Sergeant Gilligan on his well-earned retirement.

Other Tributes

Mr G. R. Watters, who spoke for the legal fraternity, said that Sergeant Gilligan and the solicitors had got on well together. No one had reason to fear that he would not get justice and a fair hearing from the sergeant in his official capacity. When prosecuting, Sergeant Gilligan had always put forward the good points for a defendant. The solicitors would remember him as a genial and helpful police official. Mr S. Grut spoke as Coroner and on behalf of the Justices of the Peace, acknowledging the guest’s willingness to help when advice was required. As Coroner and as a Justice of the Peace he could testify to this, said the speaker; and they would remember him as one of the most‘genial sergeants of police ever stationed in Waimate.

The Rev. A. H. Acheson, who spoke fox- the Ministers’ Association, said that police officers and ministers came together at times in connection with certain cases. The Waimate ministers had always found Sergeant Gilligan capable of taking a sympathetic view. “He has shown himself to be a true Christian gentleman,” said the speaker. Other speakers who joined in paying a tribute were Messrs D. M. Webster (Clerk of the Court), E. E. Earnshaw (Postmaster), A. H. Cooke, H. H. LeathWick, and Constable J. Quirke. The presentation of an envelope containing money was made by Mr Donald Macdonald, who represented the mercantile ilrms. He said he endorsed the remarks of the other speakers. The sergeant and the police generally were willing to give help freely when required, and they deserved thanks. The presentation, he said, carried with it the good wishes of the citizens to Sergeant and Mrs Gilligan. In his acknowledgments, Sergeant Gilligan said he sincerely appreciated the kindly remarks, and the thought which had prompted the presentation. He said he had tried to, do his best during his stay in Waimate. His relations with the various people with whom he had come in contact during the course of his duties had been most cordial, and he felt well rewarded in the fact that his work had been appreciated.