EX-INSPECTOR JOHNSTON DIES AT HIS HOME.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17745, 15 January 1926, Page 11

EX-INSPECTOR JOHNSTON DIES AT HIS HOME.

There passed away yesterday at his residence, 2, Domain Road, Shirley. Mr James Johnston, ex-inspector of police. Fifty years ago Mr Johnston arrived in Xev/ Zealand from Ireland, and in 1876, when a youth of nineteen years, joined the Canterbury police, and in succession was stationed at Lincoln, Akaroa, Waiau. Culverden and Rangiora. While stationed in Rangiora he was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Two years later he was transferred to St Albans and after two years there was promoted to the rank of senior sergeant in charge of the Christchurch station. In 1912 he was promoted to sub-inspector, and appointed to Auckland. but was soon after transferred to Gisborne in charge of the East Coast and Poverty Bay district, in 1918 he was promoted an inspector and transferred back to Auckland, where he remained until the beginning of 1922, when he retired on superannuation. In the late ’seventies Mr Johnston took

part in several famous cases, and was in his time instrumental in bringing many notorious criminals to justice. There was no other officer of police in < anterburv so widely known and so highly respected as Mr Johnston. He was always a keen follower of every* form of sport. He was a member of the Canterbury Justices of the Peace Association and was a Past Master of the Ashley Masonic Lodge. He leaves a widow, two sons and two daughters.