POPULAR POLICE OFFICER

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 127, 23 February 1940, Page 5

POPULAR POLICE OFFICER

PUBLIC FAREWELL CONSTABLE T. J. CUMMINGS* RETIREMENT WARM TRIBUTES TO YEARS OF SERVICE A fitting conclusion to the twenty-nine years of continuous service which Constable T. J. Cummings has spent in Whakatane was the public farewell tendered he and his wife in the Winter Show Hall last evening 1 . Representatives of the town's local bodies, country organisations and visiting Police offi--cials composed the official party while the Hall itself was crowded with friends who made the occasion their opportunity of wiling both Mr and Mrs Cunv--Ifniiigs the very best prospects for the future. The follcfvving were associated with the presentation party: His Worship the Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry; Mr W. McCracken County); Mr A. F. Moncur, M.P •{Electorate); Mr D. J. Cummings, Commissioner of Police; Mr G. Edwards, Inspector in -charge of Gisborne District; Sub Inspector Carroll, in charge at Rotorua; Constable T. G. Edwards, Foxton and late of Whakatane; Constable O. S. Taneatua; Constables H. A. Xodge, C. Lockie and J. Watt, of Tauranga, Mr Skinner, exConstable in charge of Tauranga; Sergeant M. Farrell and Con stables F. M. Fuller and R. A* .A- Prater, of Whakatane,

Tribute by Mayor. "Constable Cummings has practically grown up with Whakatane/' "said Mr Barry, in his opening re!marks.. "He came here in 1911 as a sole Police officer, his duties also •"embracing those of Clerk of Court. "Now, the same district has a Ser•'geant and two full-time constables .as well as a separate Clerk of Court" 'He contended that Constable Cum mings had been more of. a friend to the people of the district than an -actual police officer. This applied particularly to the Maoris who held him in high regard. In presenting his cases in court, he had always been fair and just and the legal profession owed him a debt of gratitude for his ready co-operation .and assistance. Apart from his official duties he "had identified himself with the Whakatane district and his affection for' it was boVne out by the fact that he intended making it his permanent home. Mr Barry concluded by paying a warm tribute to Mrs Cummings and the manner in which she had supported and .assisted her husband during the long years they had been in Whakatane. He congratulated them both and .wished them a happy retirement, which, he said, they had so justly earned. Mr McCracken, apologising for the absence of the County Chairman, said he consideyd it a privilege to speak for the county residents on the achievement of so long a record of service. He would like to say that Constable Cummings had the unique distinction •of being regarded more in the light of a father by law-breakers. Both he and Mrs Cummings were held in the highest esteem throughout the district and he could only wish them the very best in the future.

A Book on Experiences. Mr A. F. Moncur, M.P., advised Nonstable Cummings, should he '•t'Jirer be short of cash, to write a book on his earjy experiences in Whakatane. He was sure he would then have sufficient funds for the rest of his life. A policeman's job was a most exacting one and it spoke volumes for the regard in which Mr and Mrs Cummings were held to know that upon their retirement, they were settling in the town as two of the most respected citizens. He added his good wishes. Tendering an apology for the 'Auckland Superintendent, Mr J. Cummings, brother of the guest of honour, who was unable to be present, the Dominion Commissioner, Mr D. J. Cummings, said he could not restrain a feeling of regret at the Force losing such a valued and -able officer. His record of service was unique for New Zealand. He referred to the long hours, bad raads and poor transport which had to be contended with in fhe «early days. He compared it with

the modern facilities which the district provided. Through all those trying years. Constable Cummings had won the friendship and affection of all with whom he had contact . Speaking of Mrs Cummings, lie said he knew that not only had she been a wonderful wife and mother but she had also rendered yeoman services to the people of the Whakatane district. Always most charitable to those who were confined in the cells, she had also assisted many a poor tramp by giving him a meal or a shake-down. He took the opportunity of thanking Ihcm both for their services to the Force and to the public. Former Colleague's Tribute. Inspector Edwards added his congratulations, endorsing all that had been said by the previous speakers. There were many people in Whakatane, he said, who had benefited by .a kindly word of advice from Constable Cummings. A former colleague, in the person of ex-Constable Skinner, of Tauranga. adopted a breezy vein when extending his compliments. They were mates in the early days, and, he confided to the audience. Constable Cummings had played him many a dirty trick. (Laughter). The fact that their guest had two brothers occupying the highest Police positions in ..New Zealand might lead his hearers to suppose that 'Tim' had the least brains of the family. This was not so and he would risk hurting the feelings of others who might be present, by publicly stating that 'Tim' Cummings had more than the lot put together. He assured the gathering that they had the best constable in New Zealand.

The Presentation. Presenting Mr and Mrs Cummings 'with a beautiful silver coffee and tea service and a handsome carved Grandfather clock, the Mayor.conveyed to them the best wishes of the residents of Whakatane. Mr Cummings, who was greeted with musical honours on rising to speak, was obviously moved. He admitted that he was entirely overcome by the complimentary references to himself, the kindly words spoken of his wife and the large crowd of good friends who had assembled. When lie first arrived in Whakatane, lie confessed he thought the place one of the last on earth. It was certainly nothing like it was to-day, but now, after nearly 30 they were more than prepared to make it. their permanent honic In the old days things were pretty wild. There was only one access road and an old punt to cross the river at Te Teko. One thing stood in his memory, that was the many wonderful friends tficy had made. Of his wife, he could only say this —that it was due mainly to her co-operation and splendid support that lie was able to carry on through the difficult years. If, during one of his long periods of absence; it was necessary to deal with some offender, she was quite capable of locking him up. He thanked one and all for the very beautiful gifts, and observed that he officially' retired on March 12th, his birthday.

The Social Aspect. Under the control of Messrs J. Partridge and D. V. Saunders the dancing programme left nothing to be desired. Old-time and modern numbers were provided by Ted Hayden's Melody Boys, who made a point of introducing many of the less modern steps for the benefit of the large number of older dancers. Much appreciated items were given by the following artists: Solo, Mrs J. H. Warner, "The End of a Perfect Day." Elocution, Mr M. YV. Claris, "Jones of the Lancers." Solo Mr H. Armstrong, "Invictus." Supper was served by a capable band of local ladies.