VALEDICTORY

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20524, 14 June 1938, Page 9

VALEDICTORY

TRIBUTES TO ABILITY SGT. J. McGRATH HONOURED FAREWELLED BV COLLEAGUES Striking tributes to the ability of Sergeant J. T. McGrath, clcc* or .be Hamilton Police District, who bus been transferred on promotion to clerk of the Christchurch Police DistUct were paid at the farcAelle to him arrange! t?y his colleagues yesterday. The Aral function was in • af.ernoon in the Police Station when all Ilamiltor inemDers and many country policemen were present at a presentation made by Sergeant T. Kelly. Sergeant Kelly presided ami in opening the proceedings he referred to the well earned promotion gained by Mr McGrath, stating that tho Christchurch office to which Mr McGrath was going, was the third largest in the Dominion and Mr McGrath was going there as chief clerk. Mr Kelly paid a high tribute to the work of Mr McGrath during his long term in Hamilton and also made* feeling reference to the high esteem in whica Mr McGrath's father, Superintendent McGrath, was held throughout New Zealand. Superintendent McGrath, who had retired at that rank, had been one of the best officers the force had ever known and Sergeant McGrath was following in his footsteps. Detective J. Hayes, and Constables C- H. Maisey (Cambridge), E. McDonnell (Otorohanga), T. Grace, G. Donnelly and J. Mills (Hamilton) endorsed the previous speaker's remarks and then Sergeant Kelly made a presentation of a canteen of cutlery and several dishes to Mr McGrath on behalf of the Hamilton Police District. Funotion In Evening Prior to making the presentation Sergeant Kelly read a letter from Inspector C. W. Lopdell, who was unavoidably absent. In his letter Inspector Lopdell paid a fine tribute to the work of Mr McGrath during his service in Hamilton and he wished him every success in his new sphere. Sergeant McGrath suitably replied. In the evening a pleasant function was held in the Masonic Hall, Hamilton East, to bid farewell to Sergeant McGrath, this being the first function of its kind held by the police In Hamilton. Sergeant Kelly presided over a large attendance representative of the entire Hamilton Police District. In proposing-the toast to the guest of the evening Sergeant Kelly, reviewed the various stages experienced by a policeman from first joining the force until he received promotion and paid another very fine tribute to tlie outstanding ability of Sergeant McGrath.

Constables T. Grace (Hamilton;, C. H. Maisey (Cambridge), T. McGruer (Ngaruawahia), E. McDonnell Otorohanga.', H. M. Kirby (Hamilton East) and Detective J. Hayes Hamilton endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers. In reply Sergeant McGrath referred to the happy associations he had had during his stay of 17 years in Hamilton and added that although he naturally was pleased with his promotion he was sorry to leave Hamilton. Other Toasts Sergeant Kelly mentioned that Sergeant McGrath had passed all his examinations for his Senior Sergeant's stripes and he and other speakers hoped that the well earned promotion in rank would riot be long in eventuating. The toast of Absent Comrades was proposed by Detective Hayes, while the toast of the Justice Department was proposed by Mr E. G. Scrimshaw and replied to by Messrs L. Parlane and D. Barrett. The toast of the New Zealand Police Force was proposed by Mr P. Reid, who thanked the police on behalf of the business people of Hamilton for their excellent work. Mr Held also referred to the popularity of Mr McGrath and wished him every success for the futuro. During the evening an excellent musical programme, arranged by Mr E. L. Watkins was much appreciated by the audience. The programme included songs by Messrs E. H. Quill, H. Saunders, C. Joll, S- Stevens; the Harmonic Four (Messrs Quill, J. T. Battersby, K. P. Eade, G. Wheeler) ; ventriloquism. Mr J. Grey. Mr Battersby was the accompanist.

FRANKTON RAILWAY OFFICIAL TRANSFER TO MARTON Mr 0. Green, acting yard and traffic foreman at the Frankton Junction Railway station has received notice of bis promotion to foreman and his transfer to Marton. Mr Green has been stationed at Frankton for 23 years and lias taken a prominent part in the various sporting activities of the railwaymen. On Saturday evening Mr and Mrs Green and family were tendered a farewell by the Frankton Junction Sports Club in the Institute Hall, Mr J. I*. Traill presiding over a large attendance. In muk'.ng a presentation of a chiming clock to Mr and Mrs Green on behalf of the railway men, Mr P. Johnnon paid a tribute to the services rendered by Mr Green to ttie service and to the sports club and lie congratulated him on his well-merited promotion. He wished Mr and Mrs i ircen every success in their new sphere. Mr W. G. Stewart, stationmaster. and Messrs F. Mole, L. Greene ar.d W. Hebditeh, representing various organisations of the sports club, endorsed Mr Johnson's remarks and the guests of honour were accorded musical honours. During the evening opportunity was also U «ii to make a presentation t*» Mr and Mrs P. Johnson. Mr Johnson having recently retired from the secretaryship of the club after 17 years’ consecutive service. A chiming clock was also presented in this case and Mr Johnson was also given a wristlet watch. Many members eulogistically referred to the outstanding work of Mr Johnson for the club. During the evening there was a bright programme with the following items: —Orchestral selections, the Sports Club orchestra Mrs W. Greene. Messrs W. Greene. P. Te Wiri, J. Fawcett : Mr P. Te Wiri; daniees Misses P. Hebditeh and D. Johnson.