EXCITING LIFE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 204, 14 September 1937, Page 5

EXCITING LIFE

Mr J. R. Esson to Retire This Month BAILIFF AT HASTINGS An exciting life iu the Police Force during which ''he handled a murder case single-handed and was twice knifed while carrying out his duties, is recalled by the retirement of Mr, J. 2R. Esson, bailiff at the Hastings Magis* trate's Court. Mr. Esson, who joined th© Police Force in 1900 and has been statloned in Hastings for over 20 years as bailiff, inspector of factories and . probation and. maintenance officer, retires on superannuation at the beginning of next year. Mr. Esson will actually sever his connection with the Court at the end of this month, when he will begin three months' leave. In the course of his long service Mr. Esson has had a varied eareer. .The famous Rottman murder case in 1914 was one of the big tasks he handleld while stationed as a constable at Mangaweka. Mr. Esson, on his own* with no assistance from. detectives, brought the murderer, a German, whe was allowed out on licence to work on a farm, to jjustice. He was later haugdd in Wellington for the brutal murder of Mr. and Mrs. MeCann and their yoilng child and at the trial the presidiUg justice paid special tribut© to the part Mr. Esson had played. On another occasion at Hamilton Mr. Esson caught a crimiual whd had ab* scOnded while on bail of £500. The man was sentenced to five years* im« prisonmant. Twice while making arrests at Mangaweka Mr. Kssdfi wai "knifed" by the men he was taking into custody. Throughout his long period of service in Hastings Mr. Esson has proved mmself thoroughly capabie and courteous. He has always carried out hifq duties with a kindly consideratiou, and as probation and mamtenance officer he has given help and assistance wher^ ever he felt it was needed, There wili be many people in Hastings in all walks of life who will be sorry that Mr, Essott is leaving his position, but all will wish both he and Mrs, Esson many years of health and strength in which to enjoy the rest which they have earned. Mr. Esson joined the Police Force !n 1900, being stationed first as a constable in Auckland. Later he served in Christchurch and Lyttelton before being transferred to Napier, where he acted as watchhouse keeper, official photographer and inspector of weights and measures for three years. He then occupied a similar position in Wanganui, after which he took charge at Shannon for three years, before being transferred to Mangaweka, where he was stationed for over six years, aeting as Clerk of the Court as well as constable. In 1917, through failing health, Mt> Esson appiied for a transfer from the Police Force to the Department of Jtistice. At the end of July, 1917, he. caffie to Hastings. For six months he .acted: as deputy-Clerk of the Court while the Clerk was ill, and at the end of thatf time took up the offlce he now holds. At the s*id of the present month Mr. Esson will -leave on three months* holi* day, which will be speut visiting other parts of New Zealand. 'Mr. and Mrs. Esson will continue to reside in Hastings, but they contemplate making st trip to. Sydney .before settling down.