OLD COMRADES MEET

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 26, 26 October 1942, Page 4

OLD COMRADES MEET

Days When Police Had Defence Background Up till ISOS the only entrance to the police force was from the New Zealand Permanent Forces, and the aspiring policeman of those days had. first to train in garrison artillery. Even. «aiter he joined the police force he was still liable to recall for annual refresher courses with the permanent force. This was one of the interesting situations recalled in Wellington on Saturday inght at the annual reunion of the New Zealand Permanent Force Old Comrades’ Association. It was also 50 years to the day since the president of the association, Mr. W. B. Mcllveney, a former Commissioner of Police, joined the permanent force, transferring 13 months later to the police force as the junior, constable in New Zealand. ' ' Among those who had a seat of honour were four old comrades whose ages aggregated 344. They were Mr. John Cameron (90), and Mr. H. J. Poole (ba), both of Lower Hutt, Mr. k. O Leary (86), and Mr. W. H. McAnenn (83)., There were apologies from Mr v. Daifour (82) and Mr. G. Winter (84). These veterans were members of the Armed Constabulary, which was disbanded in 18S6. . j The gathering generally represented members of the Armed Constabulary, the old New Zealand Permanent Artillery, the New Zealand Torpedo Corps, and men with 20 years or more service with the New Zealand Regiment of Artillery. Senior-Sergeant J. J. Power referred appreciatively to the help given the association by the R.S.A., and Mr. MeIlveney announced that £lO was bem* given to the R.S.A. building fund as an expression of the old comrades thanks. Lieutenant-Colonel A. H. W. Evenden proposed the toast of*the R.N.Z.A. Messrs. T. B. Nisbet, A. L. Elston, G. Tynan R. AVilliams, G. Luff, and R, Matheson, of the Tin Hat Club, provided a good entertainment programme.