A Popular Police Officer Honored

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 42, 25 October 1923, Page 45

A Popular Police Officer Honored

A representative gathering of citizens took place in,the Borough Council Chambers last night for the purpose of bidding farewell to Sergeant O’Connell, who has been stationed in Waimate for the past seven years, and is retiring on superannuation (says the Waimate Daily Advertiser for October 6). A presentation, in the shape of a well-filled wallet, was made by the Mayor (Mr. W. E. Evans) on behalf of the residents of the town and district. The Mayor explained that the object of the meeting was to mark the close of Sergt. O’Connell’s career in the police force, of which the last seven years had been spent in Waimate, and on behalf of the burgesses and Borough Council of the town he wished to express his appreciation of the manner in which the Sergeant had carried out his duties while stationed in the district. He did his duty without fear or favor and never strained a point to make a case good. The town was losing a good officer, and they hoped that when the new Sergeant’s time came to retire they would be able to regard him with the same amount of affection and be as sorry to lose him. Mr. A. 0. Middleton, on behalf of the legal profession, said he appreciated the honor of being able to speak at the function. In the legal profession they had unique opportunities of seeing the work of the Force from day to day and they had all been struck by the fairness with which Sergt. O’Connell had conducted his cases. He concurred with the Mayor when he said that the Sergeant never took an unfair advantage when prosecuting. If there was any fact that would tell in favor of the accused, Sergeant O’Connell could be depended upon to bring it out. He was very sorry indeed to have to say good-bye. It was the close of a long and honorable career in the Force and it closed with the best wishes of the citizens of Waimate, and he assured the Sergeant, with the very best wishes of the legal profession. He had been • a kindly friend, an upright man, and a painstaking officer. Mr. E. Hassall, J.P., on behalf of the business men of the town, and as the senior J.P., said they all appreciated very much the manner in which the Sergeant had discharged his duties. The Sergeant was of a very high character and they were very sorry to lose him. He wished him and his family many years of happiness in retirement. Mr. A. J. Hoskins, speaking on behalf of the various sports bodies, said he was pleased to have the opportunity of adding a few remarks to those of, the previous speakers. In his position he was more or less responsible for the running of various sports meetings at which they had to depend on assistance from the police. During’ Sergeant O’Connell’s term in the’ town they had had every assistance possible. He concluded by wishing the Sergeant every happiness in his hew home. Mr. S. I. Fitch said a point missed by the previous speakers was the consideration which the Sergeant had shown to his subordinates in the Force. He joined with the others in wishing Sergeant O’Connell every happiness in his new sphere of life. •*■■■' Mr. 0. Craighead, on behalf of the Trade, said they hoped to come across another officer, as good and as considerate as Sergeant O’Connell. He would take with him the best wishes of the hotelkeepers of Waimate. Constable Swan endorsed the previous speakers’ remarks and hoped that the Sergeant would live long to enjoy his retirement. \ The Mayor said the making of the presentation was a most pleasant duty from their point of view: He knew their guest would appreciate tluTgift, not from a monetary point of view, but as a mark of esteem the citizens of Waimate held him in. In handing over the wallet he would like to express on behalf of the citizens of Waimate their great appreciation of the kindly and tactful way in which the Sergeant had carried out his duties, and expressed the hope that .he would be long spared to enjoy the rest his 33 years of honorable service had earned. He had much pleasure in handing Sergeant O’Connell the wallet. . For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” was sung and cheers given for the Sergeant and Mrs. O’Connell. On rising to reply, Sergeant O’Connell was greeted

with prolonged applause. :He said he was deeply moved by the manner in which the citizens had honored him. He had been about seven years in Waimate, and he could assure them-they had been the happiest he had spent in the Service. He had been in many places, and had to do with many people and perform a great variety of duties. The time had passed very quickly while in Waimate and he regretted he would not be here longer. He thanked the citizens for the presentation and for their kind words. He was going to live in Christchurch, but would always look forward to visiting Waimate, and to hear of matters pertaining .to its welfare. He thanked them from the bottom of his heart and thought he scarcely deserved it all. He was pleased to know he had given satisfaction as an officer, as he had made a big effort to carry out his duties to the best of his ability. On behalf of Mrs. O'Connell he thanked tiiem once again for the presentation and for the kind things they had said. (Applause.)