VALEDICTORY.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XVIIII, Issue 447, 15 November 1916, Page 2

VALEDICTORY.

SERGT. ECCLES Fare.

WELLED

The Justices, solicitors, Court officers and some business peopjp met at the Court llmise to sa'v good-bye to Sergt W. Keeles.w'ho was to leave this al'iernoon transfer and promotion to T 8 Kuiti. MrR. NicoJ. who presided,said he knew the guest when he was a lad attending school in Nasebv He had turned out a man of rote character, and an officer of whom the Force might feel proud, I t wishing him happiness in bis new sphere of activity, he presented him, on behalf of tin- ftatheriiw with a silver cigar-holder, cigarcutter, and matchbox, and for Jits Eccles a silver purse. Other speakers were MrW.H, Beckett, who complained that the Department was irenting WaiI mate as a convalescent station, ia policy which made it unlikely | that an energetic ofacer would j ever remain long, and specially praised Mrs Eccles iW hercluireii ! work: Mr 10. .1. Alv.iii, wiic ssiJ that Sergt. Eccles had cleaned up tho town, and hoped his successor would continue that job: Mr A, Carter, who regarded him as a first-rate officer and a very good, citizen; Mr S. I. Fitch, who said 1 that as a solicitor he soon saw by the Sergeant's conduct of cases that Waimate would soon lose him through promotion, nor would Te Kuiti hold him long; MrE. Hassall, who specially praised his work as Inspector of Factories; Mr G. J. Shack leton, who slid it gave satisfaction to the public to' see the laws enforced, and that it was Sergt. Eccles's talents wanting more scope which was the occasion of his early transferwhile he did not deny that cat Waimate climate was deserving ! of Mr Beckett's compliment; Mr N. M. Orbell, who had heard well of the departing officer; MrJU. Purchase, who said Sergt. Eccles was one of the youngest sergeant? in New Zealand—certainly the youngest ever in Waimate; and Mr R. J. Logan, who spoke fa the press. Sergt Eccles, in the course*! an appropriate reply, thanked tne other members of the Force,die Clerk of the Court, the Justices. the solicitors, and the press, he bespoke a helpful attitudetowaj. Sergt, Connell, his successor, 'ls conclusion, he would almost certainly re-visit Waimate, ashefe a stake in the town, Mrs Eccles was also very fond of this place and they would both rememwr with pleasure their stay here.