APPRECIATION OF A POPULAR POLICE OFFICER.

New Zealand Tablet, 23 September 1920, Page 39

APPRECIATION OF A POPULAR POLICE OFFICER.

The decorum which usually characterises courthouse proceedings' was waived this morning (says the Danhevirke Evening News of September 10), when a gathering of business men, lawyers, and townsmen took place there “ for the purpose of farewelling Senior-Sergeant OTTalloran, who has been in charge of the Dannevirke Police Station for the past three and a-half years, and who has been promoted to Napier. The Mayor, Mr. G. I. Anderson, occupied the chair, and expressed the regret felt by the townspeople at losing a capable and popular officer, one who had always done his duty and had done it with tact. Still, as the change means promotion, they must congratulate Senior-Sergeant O’Halloran on his well-earned reward. The departing officer had discharged his duties most efficiently . and though they must often have been of an unpleasant nature, he had managed to perform them without unnecessary harshness or offence. It was a great thing to have an efficient officer in charge of the station, and he was glad to say the town was a clean one and orderly, and they had to thank Sergeant O’Halloran for making it so. On behalf of the townspeople, he wished SeniorSergeant and Mrs. OTTalloran every happiness and prosperity in their new home. Mr. R. Fraser expressed, on behalf of the Bar, their esteem and appreciation of Senior-Sergeant O’Halloran, with whom their relations had always been most cordial. It had at first been intended to make a separate presentation from the Bar, but they had afterwards decided to pool their fund with that of the townspeople, and with them to wish SeniorSergeant and Mrs. OTTalloran every good thing for the future.

Speaking on Belial of the Justices of the Peace, Mr. Thomas Bain, in the absence of the senior Justice, acknowledged the great assistance they had always received from Sergeant O’Halloran in the discharge of their duties, and expressed their cordial wishes for the future welfare of himself and his family. The chairman then handed to Mrs. O’Halloran a well-filled wallet as an earnest of the appreciation of the residents for the good work done by her husband as senior police officer of the town, after which the court rang with the hearty singing of the usual complimentary chorus and the cheers which concluded it. Senior-Sergeant O’Halloran said it was difficult for him to express his feelings. He did not feel nearly so courageous as he usually felt in court. He thanked them all very much for the kind things said about him, and hoped that some at least might be true. He reciprocated heartily the good feelings of the Bar, with whom he had always got on well, and thanked Mr. Fraser for his kindly remarks. Addressing Mr. Bain, as representing the Justices, he paid a high tribute to the efficiency and fairness of the J.P.’s of Dannevirke. He had found them one and all absolutely efficient and lairminded. and ready at all times to perform their duties. _He knew of no town which had a better class pt Justices than Dannevirke, and was sure that any police officer who could not work with them was not worthy of the office. They had been of great assistance to him in keeping the town clean, and he concluded y again thanking all for their kind remarks, handsome gift, and the good wishes for their future, and expressed regret that his promotion meant his departure from Dannevirke. 1