MOTORISTS’ GIFT.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 October 1933, Page 6

MOTORISTS’ GIFT.

BRAVE - AUCKLAND CONSTABLE EFFORT TO CATCH CAR THIEF. (Per Press Association Copyright.) ; ,Auckland. October 26. The courage displayed by Constable Edward Stewart on the night of ‘September 19, when he attempted to arrest a motor car thief in Grey Lynn, received public recognition whan lie was presented with .a cheque for £IOO from the N.Z. Motorists. Constable Stewart was seriously injured when he was crushed against a stationary car, and -he is still a patient at the Auckland Hospital, where life 'presentation was 'made by the Mayor, -Mir G. W. Hutchinson. “I am here as Mayor 0 f the city, at the request of -"![ of the Automobile Associations of the Dominion, to present to you something tangible to mark the motorists’ appreciation of your attempt to apprehend what motorists call .a car thief, but which the l,a\v is pleased to term a c°nverier of tears,” said 'Mr Hutchinson. The cheque had been subscribed by the members of eight Automobile Associations. .and also by the Pioneer Sports Club, and the Ashburton, South Canterbury, Southland and Nelson Motor Cycle Clubs. Inspector .Hollis, on behalf of the Police Department, thanked the. AufomoSile Associations for the enthusiastic manner in, ; which, they had taken the matterup. .. .Constable .Stewart had simply done his; duty. It- was ~very pleasing . for the lp.en of the Department to know that the motorists thought so. much of the Constable’s effort- that they had made him a handsome presentation. The Inspector said he hoped Constable Stewart would not be permamently crippled. -Whatever happened, he would be retained in the service, as long as his health allowed. “I only did wihafc any other constable would do under the circumstances,” said Constable Stewart.! “Any other Constable would do the same thing to-morrow im such a case. It is only a matter of doing your duty.” Constable Stewart .added that -he was only sorry that his ■ attempt to catch the thief ' had not been sue-, cessful, as it was seldom that thepolice, got the opportunity of catching nil offender red-handed. The handsome cheque would compensate him for the injuries lie had received. He asked that -his .appreciation should be conveyed to all those interests which had subscribed to the presentation.