POLICE CHIEF TO RETIRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17755, 27 January 1926, Page 7

POLICE CHIEF TO RETIRE.

MR M’KINNON GOES OUT ON MARCH t, AFTER 44 YEARS,

Superintendent William H. M’Kinnon, who since September. 19ff3, has been chief officer at the Central Police Station, Christchurch, will retire on March 1 next after forty-four years’ service with the New Zealand Police Force. It was in 1879 that* Superintendent M’Kinnon, then not quite eighteen years of age, first joined the Force at Wellington. He was not quite sure whether he would like the work. But the policeman’s life held a strong attraction for him and he decided to give it a trial. The following year .Tike most young people starting out in life, he thong'll t that he would like a change, so*be resigned. JOINS UP AGAIN.

But young M’Kinnon was meant to be a policeman. He had all the necessary ’ qualifications for the job. and he had them in good measure. So it was not surprising that in 1881 he again presented himself at Wellington headquarters to rejoin the forcb. They were glad to have him back. Men like young M’Kinnon were not too plentiful in those datfs. Not until 1903 did Superintendent M’Kinnon gain promotion, to the rank of sergeant, but it was long before then that he earned a reputation as a firstclass officer—a man for whojn no task was too dangerous. He was a policeman from first to last, and he was regarded as one of the best. Immediately after his promotion he was transferred to Auckland. SHOWS HIS WORTH. Frpm sergeant at Wellington, Superintendent M’Kinnon was promoted to sectional sergeant at Auckland, where he remained-Tor three years. Then he was transferred to Waihi, staying .there until 1911, when he was promoted to the rank of senior sergeant. It was then that he was able to show his real worth. However good he might have been as a constable Superintendent M’Kinnon. was better equipped for the administrative side. Highly intelligent, observant, and always courteous and obliging, he was fitted for an administrative position, and once he became senior-sergeant at Auckland the authorities were soon to find it out. He proved himself a firstclass prosecutor, and gave the solicitors of the Queen City a lot of trouble. But he was always fair. /

COMES TO CHRISTCHURCH. In 1913 he was promoted to subinspector, and filled that office at the Central Police Station, Christchurch, until 1915, when he was transferred to Wellington. Two years later he was again transferred, this time to Palmerston North, where he held the office of sub-inspector for about twelve months. Superintendent M’Kinnon was now climbing the official ladder fast. He had shown his worth, and the authorities were quick to appreciate his abilities. So in 1918 he was raised to Inspector, and continued on at the Palmerston North Station as occupant of that office. Then, in September, 1923, he received notice of his promotion to the rank of Superintendent in charge of the Canterbury Division. That is one of the big jobs of the force, but Superintendent M’Kinnon was the man for it. For nearly three years now. he: has been responsible for the administrative side of police matters in the division. A DUTIFUL OFFICER. He has proved himself to be a dutiful energetic officer, and is held in high respect by the hundreds of men who have served under him throughout the Force in New Zealand. With all his 1 ability. Superintendent M’Kinnon is a modest map. During the forty-four years he has beeii cortriected with the Dominion Police Force he has handled some big jobs, he has figured in cases which have become notorious throughout the country, but he prefers not to speak of them—modesty is his most striking characteristic.