POLICE COMMISSIONER RESIGNS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4472, 1 July 1930, Page 2

POLICE COMMISSIONER RESIGNS.

NO REASONS .GIVEN

Wellington, Last Night

Following a meeting of Cabinet yesterday morning the Crime Minister. Don. G. Wl Forbes, announced that the resignation had been received of I lie Commissioner of police , Mr. W. B. Mollveney. Tin; Crime Minister sajil that lie hud nothing to say concerning the Commissioner's resignation. Mr. Mcllvcney had handed in his resignation to the Government with a ~.quest that he should be relieved of bis duties, and it would lake (effect immediately. Mr. .Mcllvcnc.y also declined to make any statement.

It is just 4A years since Mr. McDvenev was appointed Commissioner. 1 iis career was remarkable in Ihnt be rose from, the post of junior constable to the highest position in his department, and was the lirsi New Zealand-born officer to hold The rank. Mr. Mcllvcney is I'd! years of age, and he started as a school teacher at Oreymouth in ISSI. In ISSS he joined the Cost and Telegraph Department,, and three years later left the public service-- for Australia. Tie returned in 1890 and joined the Defence Department on fim Wes I Coast, in 1892, being transferred to the police force at Dunedin in the following year. After a few months he was moved to Invercargill, and in 181)4 he was detailed for clerical duty in the subidii.ee there, and was also appointed in spec! ur of factories and inspector ot‘ weights and measures. Tn 1895 he was entrusted with the investigations in the Minnie Dean childnnmler ease at Wymlham. The following year he had charge of the McKeown murder ease at Gore. In .189" In* was placed in the detective office, and in 1899 he was

transferred to Wellington. In 19U7 lie was promoted to the position of chief detective. Almost immediately afterwards lie was sent on extradition duty to South America, and before returning to New Zealand he visited Spain, England, South Australia, and Tasmania. Li 1942 he was sent to Raioloiiga and ilie Cook Islands to appear for the ICrown in the ease

.‘gainst the Native Nootiga for the murder of his wife, for which a. to lake the trial. In 1913 and 1014, .judge wn> sent from New Zealand under ilie direction of the .Minister of Justice (Don. A. L. Devdman) •be was detailed to reorganise the ciiminal registration branch of the Police Department. In 1019 he was promoted to sub-inspector and stationed at Auckland, and he was engaged in the Ken I murder ease a! One whern. From I lieu up to 1.917 lie remained at Auckland, but in Dm c.urlv pun of that year lie was transferred to New .Plymouth in charge of that, district. In 1917 he was i runs furred to Wellington, detached from Hie police force and attached to Hie si alf of Captain Hall Thompson for the purpose of Dm adniinisl ration of the war regnla I ion.-.. In Sept ember, .1919, lie was given charge of the Wellington dis I. riel and promoted to inspector. In 1923 he visited the United Stales '"itH a view of obtaining and insight into the working of the police there. On bis return, in 1924, lie was promoted to the position of.suporinlendenj at Wellington, a position which he held until made I ommissioner.