PRESENTATION TO INSPECTOR PENDER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 1947, 2 June 1874, Page 3

PRESENTATION TO INSPECTOR PENDER.

r ■ A ceremony of a very interesting nature took place at Matson's buildings, Cashel street, at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon. A largo and influential number of citizens met together for the purpose of presenting a testimonial to Mr Inspector Pender on the occasion of his promotion as Chief Inspector of Police in the province of Canterbury, and his removal from Christohurch to take charge of. the Timaru district. The chair was occupied by Dr Turnbull, who had acted as chairman of the committee appointed at a preliminary meeting to collect subscriptions and decide as to what should be the nature of tho testimonial. All classes of tho community ■were represented at tho meeting yestorday afternoon, and tho whole proceedings were highly flattering to Mr Pender. Tho chairman, in opening the proceedings, said — Gentlemen, we all know the purpose for which wo have assembled here this afternoon, and I think it quite unnecessary for mo, when there are, I believe, three gentlemen to speak to exactly the same purpo?o concerning our guest here this afternoon, to enter into any lengthened remarks concerning Mr Pendor. I will only contont myself with saying that the committee, I think, have shown great wisdom in selecting a gentleman to present this expression of esteem to Mr Pender such as Mr Tancred, who has so completely held the respect and good wishes of tho community during his long career amongst us. (Cheers.) I think tho wisdom of tho choice is indisputable, and I cannot do bettor than to call on Mr Tancred to convey to Mr Pender our best wishes for his welfare, and to ask him to accept these things which lie on the table boforo mo. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) Mr H. J. Tancrod, Speaker of the Provincial Council, wes loudly cheered on rising to address the meeting. Ho said : Mr Pender, — Tho very pleasing task has been committed to mo of addressing you on bohalf of those who arc here assembled to do you honour, aud of requesting your acceptance of this testimonial which is hero beforo you. Permit me, in undertaking this office, to say a few words expressive of tho feelings of respeel which I entertain personally for you, and which I am convinced are entertained not only by those who hear me, but by all who know you. (Hear, hear, and loud cheers.) ' I th^'nk I may say without fear of contradiction that tho kindliness, the forbearance and the sagacity with which you have discharged your duties — sometimes not of a very pleusanf character — havo endeared you to the people of this part of the province, and have won their highest good-will and respect — (hear, hear, and cheers) — arid that while tho kindness of your heart and your obliging manners have gained for 3-011 a very large number of private friends, your firmness und integrity in the performance of your public duty, have won the approbation and the confidence of tho whole community. (Hear, hear, and loud cheers.) With regard to this latter point, I havo had opportunities which perhaps many who hear me have not had or may never have, perhaps, of appreciating your merits. Circumstances, hiiye come to my knowledge in connection with my functions as a magistrate, which show in a very marked way your judgment in dealing with cases of difficulty, and I know that in not a few instances your groat tact has had the effect of anticipating, and by anticipating, of preventing breaches of the law and of preserving order where tho public peace was seriously threatened. (Cheers.) I doubt not that in tho now sphcro upon which you are about to enter, however much you may regret the breaking-off old tics, you will huve the satisfaction of looking back on a long career hero as a career of usefulness to the public and of credit to yourself. (Hear, hear, and loud cheers.) I feel that lam very inadequately expressing tho sentiments of thoac who have commissioned me to address you— (" no, no")— but I hope that what I say will effect the main object I have in viowj and that ia to show you how greatly you are

esteemed by us : and I trust tlia'; this testimonial will sometimes be tin; ine;ins of recalling to your memory the warm friends whom you leave behind. (Cheera.) Let. me assure you, in conclusion, that wherever your future lot may be cast, our best wishes will follow you —(hear, hear, and cheers) — and that youi name will always bn remembered amongst us as the name of a kind-hearted and honourable gentleman — (hear, hear, and cheers) — as well as of an ableand zealous officer. (Renewed cheers.) It only remains for me now to wish you all happiness and prosperity in youi future career, and to ask you to ac;epfc of this testimonial which lies before me. (Loud cheers.) Mr Tancred then proceeded to present the testimonial to Mr Ponder. It consisted of a silver tea and coffee service, a gold watch and albert chain, and a box containing 250 sovs. Tho watch, which was obtained at the establishment of Messrs B. Petersen and Co., High street, bore the following inscription : — " Presented to Mr Inspector Pender, upon his promotion to the Chief Inspectorship of the Canterbury Police Force. Christchurch, Ist June, 1874." ■ The gold albert was purchased at the establishment of Messrs G. Coates and Co., High street. The silver tea and coffee service was procured at the establishment of Mr Sandstein, Caahel street. - , ; The box containing the 250 sovs. was made of New Zealand fancy woods. The inside of tho lid boro the following inscription :— "This box, containing 250 sovs., together with a gold watch and chain, and a tea service, wa3 presented to Mr Inspector Pender upon his promotion to the Chief Inspectorship, at a meeting of the residents of Christchurch, held at Matson's buildings, Ist June, 1874." The Chairman inquired whether any other gentleman desired to address the meeting.Mr Harris, Superintendent of the Fire Brigade, said : Mr Chairman, Inspector Pender and gentlemen, some may think it presumption on my part to rise to follow such an able speaker as Mr Tancred, but I am deputed by the officers and members of the Christchurch Fire Brigade to present Mr Ponder at this time . with an address expressive of the feeling they hold towards him as an efficient officer. (Loud cheers.) It seems, perhaps, somewhat out of place to do so now, but I assure you that it is anything but out of place. We have been brought together in the discharge of duties about which there might very likely be occasions on which wo might be at variance with each other. At fires it ia not an uncommon thing for people to get at words with each other, but during the 12 years I have known him, Mr Pender and the officers and members of the fire brigade have worked harmoniously together. (Loud cheers.) I think lam right in saying that I have worked at nearly every fire in Christchurch since Mr Pender has been here, and lam glad to say that tho most cordial feeling has always prevailed between us, and I think I may only read tho words of tho address to express what the officers and members of the brigade wish to convey. Mr Harris then read the following address : " This address is presented by the officers and members of the Christchurch Volunteer Firo Brigade and Fire Police to Inspector Pender, Canterbury Police Force. ' Sir, — We feel this, the occasion of your removal from our district to take charge of that of Timaru, a fitting opportunity of expressing to you the feeling of our Brigade, and thanking you for tho kind and courteous manner in which you havo always assisted us in our duties at times of fire. We trust this will bo a pleasant reminder of the many times we have worked so harmoniously together, and in your sight be a memento of our good will and best wishes for the welfare of yourself and family. — W. Harriß, Superintendent and Chief Fire Inspector of the Christchurch Volunteer Firo Brigade; W. R. Mitchell, Captain Christchurch Volunteer Firo Police. Ist Juno, 1874,'" Tho above address was placed in a frame manufactured from New Zealand wood. The address was beautifully and artistically illuminated on vellum by Mr James Goodman, and tho manner in which the work was executed wa3 greatly admired by all present. Tho Chairman inquired if any other gentleman desired to address the meeting. Mr W. R. Mitchell : Mr Chairman and gentlemen, as Captain of the Volunteer Fire Police, I should liko to say a few words on their behalf. The Volunteer Fire Police Force, which I have the honour of presiding over, has been, I think, more intimately connected with Mr Pender than the B'iro Brigado, inasmuch as to be of any public service, we havo to receive tho co-operation and assistance of the regular Police Force at all times when on duty at tires. It therefore affords me very great pleasure in Baying that, during the five years I havo been connected with tho Firo Police, we havo received tho assistance of every constable as well as tho officers of tho regular Police Force, and Mr Pender has at all times shewn great courtesy and kindness towards the Firo Police. (Cheers.) In con : elusion, I can only join with the words of the address in wishing Mr Pendor.a very prosperous future. (Loud cheers.) ' Mr George Orain said he wished to say a few words. Some time ago ho differed with Mr Pender, and his opinions found their way ' into the newspapors. Since then, however, ho (Vlr Oram) found that he was wrong, and it '■ afforded him great pleasure to say so on an occasion like the present. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) In fai-t, it would be unmanly on his part if he did not como forward now and admit that he had been in the wrong. (Hear, hear.) Ho was very glad to hear all tho expressions of esteem and goodwill towards Inspector Pender, and ho (Mr Oram) trusted tho time would como when that gentleman would be in a different position. (Hear, hear.) Ho (Mr Oram) felt convinced that every one would always be much pleased to see Mr Pendcr whenever ho came to Christchurch. In conclusion, ho wished Mr Pender all joy, comfort, and happiness. (Cheers.) Mr Fredk. Thompson said he had known Mr Pender for several yearß. He always considered him to be tho right man in the right place, and ho felt suro that Mr Pender would continue to merit tho samo opinion on the part of tho public. (Loud cheers.) The Chairman : Now, gentlemen, we havo a very pleasing task to perform — that of drinking Mr Pender's health. I feel certain that no assembly has ever drunk a health with a heartier goodwill than wo will drink Mr Pender's health on this occasion. (Loud cheers.) Sevt-ral bottles of champaeno having been uncorked, and the company having filled their glasses to the brim, the Chairman asked those present to drink Air Pender's health. The toast was drunk with thyed-times-tbree^ and musical honours. Ihe health of Mrs Pender and tho " little ones" was also duly honoured. ' Mr Pender was loudly cheered on rising to

address the meeting. He said — iVfv Chairmar and gentlemen, I dare say 4 you will :tll make an allowance under the circumstances, because I think it is very well known that k is the first time I have been called upon to address a public meeting. Sometimes I have had to appear in the police court under rathei different circumstances — laughter — but the present is the first time on which I have experienced tho pleasure of bfiing allowed to address any public audience in Christchurch. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, I need scarcely tell you that I feel very proud of tho position I hold. I think any man possessing the feelings of a man at all must feel an inward pride which it is quite impossible I can express. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) I am sure, gentlemen, that looking at the beautiful watch and all the sovereigns and the other things here before me, it is enough to make any man feel a pride in himself after heing so many years amongst you, but I consider that the very strong expression of feeling which you have shewn on my behalf is a thing to be very much more proud of. (Hear, hear, and cheer3.) I think it was in 1869, that Mr Commissioner Brannigan left Dunedin, but with that exception no such valuable presentation has been mado to any public officer in the police force since then, and I am really proud to be put in the same position as Mr Brannigan was on the occasion I refer to. (Hear, and cheers.) Gentlemen, I am sure that you will agree with mo that tho position I held here on many occasions was a rather disagreeable one. Very often I had to do very disagreeable things, but tho chief thing I kept in view was to bo civil. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) I believe that is the thing which has carried me through tho place with such apparent success. I believe it is nothing else but civility ; and I believe it is the duty of every police officer and constable — in fact, every public officer should bo civil. (Hear, hear.) Civility is a thing which tho public should expect from public officers — (hear, hear) — and I believe that has been tho cause, as I said before, of my success. I think Judge Johnston, in his Justice of the Peace, lays down riile3 for the guidance of police officers. I recollect that some years ago one of those . rules struck me very much. Judge Johnston says it is the duty of police officers to protect, not to oppress the public. (Hear, hear.) Gentlemen, I have always kept that in view. I think it is a splendid maxim for any police officer. It is a grand rule for any man to keep in his mind, as it will bear on almost every action. When it wa« officially announced to me, and when it became publicly known that I was to leave Christchurch, I knew I had tho good-will of a great many people in this city, but I confess I was not prepared for the very strong expression of feeling which tho citizens of Christchurcl: have shewn to me. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) I knew very well that I always met with civility. I believe that the people here in general are very fond of abiding by the law — very anxious to shew their willingness to abide by the law. I have always found that to bo the rule amongst tho people here. In fact, I have had no difficulty whatover in carrying out the duties of the police force. I do not think I need dotain you any longer, as a great many of you are losing your time and want to return to your business. (Cries of "No, no.") I cannothelp expressing the deep gratitude I feel to the people here. If I never had these things presented to me, I would have thought well of the people of Chrißtchurch. (Hear, hear.) With regard to Mr Harris and Captain Mitchell, I think it right to say that I feel very strongly a deep sense of gratitude for their kindness in the Fire Brigade and Fire Police. I may say I have been in the habit of meeting Mr Harris at, I believe, all tho fires which have occurred since I came hero, and Captain Mitchell also since the Fire Police force was established, and whenover I cam© up to a fire and saw them, I always felt that we would do everything for tho best. (Hear hear, and cheers.) I always met them in the most cordial way. The kindest feeling always prevailed amongst us ; and I am suro I was glad to see not long since in one of the newspapers, that tho Auckland people are about to organiso a fire brigado upon the same model as that of Christchurch. (Hear hear, and cheers.) I don't think they can do anything better. They are certain to succeed if they get. as good officers, and are as well supported as tho brigado is in Christchurch. (Hear, hear.) As I Baid before, I am delaying you too long. ( " No, no.") I see a great many old friends hero, and I am exceedingly pleased at their presence, and on behalf of Mrs Pender and the children, I feel deeply grateful for your kindness. Really it would be impossible to express how strongly I feel in the mattor. I bavo heen down at Timaru lately, and met with great kindness there. Half the people I saw were from Christchurch, aud they rushed across tho street to see me. In fact, most people knew I was coming, and were glad to see mo, 'particularly Christchurch people. (Hear, hear.) I don't think I should sit down without acknowledging the very flattering speech made by the hon Mr Tailored. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) I know that Mr Tancrcd had very many opportunities, as ho stated, of knowing how I conducted tho duties of my office. I feel certain ho must have seen a great deal which many here have not, and I am exceedingly!pleascd to find him speak of me in such flattering terms.. It is perhaps one of tho things whioh' will be an heirloom, I may say, to my family. I cannot sit down without thanking him very kindly for the strong and kind feeling which he has shown towards me. I would also wish to thank the chairman. He has always been a friend of mine, and the best feeling has always existed between us. (Hoar, hear, and cheers.) We have met on many occasions, he acting in his professional capacity. I ain very thankful to him for the kindness he has shown towards mo. (Cheers.) I might also say that I am very happy indeed to see Mr Duncan, the Crown Prosecutor, present to-day — (hear, hear, and cheers) — and my old friend Mr Thompson aho. (Renewed cheers.) Gentlemen, you will excuse me for the very humble way in which I have endeavoured to put my feelings in form. Of course, a3 I said before, I am a new beginner at public speaking. (Cheers and laughter.) I should not on any account have forgotten to thank those gentlemen of the committee who havo so kindly given up their time in bringing this matter forward, particularly, I believe, Mr Mitchell. (Loud cheers ) Mr Duncan, Crown Prosecutor, then slapped forward, and said : Mr {chairmau and gentlemen — Perhaps you will allow n.e to express a few words in recognition, personally, of Mr Pender's real value -and' worth in the police force. (Hear, hear.) There are few (oven Mr Tancred, who claimed a considevabj.o knowledge of Mr Pender's work! who k.ave had niore experience than myself as Crown Prosecutor and solicitor, in being so largely assisted by Mr Pender. There is one thing I noticed in Mr Pender very early j he had that

i peculiarity of mind thoroughly adapted to tin ? office ho held. (Hear, hear.) There is in al 3 such a requirement that the weight of evi ; deuce should be sufficient to carry a convic i tion, and whero it is within that, that no pro > Becution should occur; and it is wise, over r where the police may hare a suspicion, unless ) there is sufficient evidence to convict, that the I person suspected should not bo brought before : the public. In that I early recognised Mr s Pender's capability for the" olfice he held. , (Hear, hear, and cheers.) I can well understand that many a person, perfectly innocent, • may have certain matters surrounding him to lead the police to entertain a suspicion ; but I having invariably known in the case of Inspector Ponder, that unless ho believed there was a ground to lead to a conviction, the case dropped. (Hear, hear, and cheers) —and he saved the character of many a person. (Hear, hear.) That is what I admire. (Cheers.) He and I have had many quiet chats and conversations about criminal prosecutions. Even after a committal I have conversed with him, and I have invariably gained from him information and assistance ; and it affords mo extreme pleasure to express to you tho high appreciation I havo held of Mr Pender's character in so far as my own official capacities wore concerned. (Loud cheers.) On the motion of Mr Wm. Wilson, a vote of thanks was passed to the chairman. A vote of thanks was also passed to Messrs Matson and Co., for tho use of the room, and the proceedings terminated.