VALEDICTORY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 8, 2 October 1937, Page 13

VALEDICTORY

Presentation to Mr. J. R. Esson COMPLIMENTARY AFTERNOON TEA ltepresentatives of the Hastings Courthouse staff, Police and Press and others assembled at the Police Station yesterday afternoon to participate in the presentation of an easy fireside cliair to Mr J. R. Esson, who is relinquishing ofiice as court hailiff and retiring from the service. Proceedings took the form of a complimentary af-ternoon-tea, the magistrate, Mr J. Miller, S.M., presidmg. When making the presentation on behalf of all those assembled, Mr Miller _ said that he was pleased to have the opportnnity of attending such a gathering and of extending to Mr Esson the hope that he would fully enjoy )>i« years of retirement. "I have a great deal of feeling for court bailiffs and also admiration for them," he said. "1 have noticed that the majority of them invariably appear to be the 'father' of the court staff, for while magistrates, clerks and other members of the staff rnove about from one district to another, the bailiff usually remains permanently attached to the ofiice. He thus proves to be a friend and father to the jumors, and as most bailiffs are men of sterling character their guidance and assistance is of inestimable value to those juniors, "As magistrate I want to thank Mr Esson for what he has done for me," continued Mr Miller. "After all the defendant is before me for but a fleeting moment, the spade work having been done by the police officers and i afterwards the probation officer takes over, and Mr Esson has proved to be a capable probation officer. With all public servants it is their duty to do the best they can in the interests of the public whom they serve, and it is all the more important that this should be so with a bailiff and probation officer. He has awlcward jobs- to perform and mannerism and personality means a Ibt m his job. Men are usually gpecially selected ior the ofiice, and I feel sure ■ that Mr Esson has been ideally iitted in every respect." Mr® Miller concluded by wishing Mr and Mrs Esson every happiness and prospenty for the future. "Aboye all, Mr Esson, 1 trust that you will not tind the break irksomc," added M; Miller. "Many men have fonnd it a most difficult matter to accommodate. themselves to the change of life that has been inade as the result of retirement, and I hope that you will take it philosophically and really enjoy your. self." * ' Mr W. M. Will, clerk of the court, said that during his 15 years' associntion with Mr Esson he had found him to be a real father, and there was not the sligktest doubt but that he would be greatly missed by all. He had carried out numerous jobs and had proved that he had not lost touch with mankind. Endorsement of the good wishes was made by £enior-Sergeant G. 8ivyer, Constable B. Earquharson, DetectiveSergeant L. Pope and Mr C. P. Wilkinson. "I feel that I have had a very strenuous life, and 1 ani now looking forward to enjoying my retirement to the fullest extent, " said Mr Esson in reply. He thanked tliose present for their exxpressions of goodwill and fellowship and said thal he greatly valued the esteem in which they held him.