Who's Who-and Why

NZ Truth, Issue 1204, 27 December 1928, Page 4

Who's Who-and Why

Gets The Pip

WHEN Jim Cummings hoists the silver pip of a sub-inspector to his shoulders on New Year's Day, he will carry the distinction of being the youngest commissioned-rank officer m the N.Z. Police Force. Sheer, unadulterated conscientiousness, conducted by a well-balanced practical headpiece is behind Cummings' progress m the Force. In the court he is one of the most concise, fact-without-fancy prosecuting- officers handling police cases m out courts to-day. "I leave' it to the court," — that's Jim's . stock phrase whenever the bench might ask his opinion on matters concerning an accused, and m which J.C. feels, m the interests of Justice, his mind should be kept to himself. Yet, if there is anything to be said m the prisoner's favor Cumraings will say it, and say it with the same degree of laconicism as marks his scrupulous care m the laying of charges. Over 21 years m the Force, the greater part of which has been with the . detective branch, J.C. now (takes up his duties as sub-inspector at Dunedin, after a lengthy sojourn m Auckland as chief-detective and, later, senior- sergeant.

Awarua Reaps Reward

""THERE are others beside the McI Dougalls and McPhersons .down Otago way. A pleasant-looking chap named de la Perrelle came to Parliament from the mists of -farthest south. . • He awakened one fine .morning recently to find himself the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle. But that takes too long to say m one breath. Let's talk about him as Phil Perrelle. v Phil represents Awarua, the electorate that m a fickle moment once withdrew its allegiance to Sir Joseph Ward after ; many years of consistent support. And though Awarua never got the chance of making the amende -honorable to Sir Joe, it has done the next best thing by returning a supporter to Parliament. Perrelle took his first gaze at this wonderful world m Arcowtown, a quaint little township tucked away m the hills of Central Otago. Not much of a place to-day, perhaps but a live centre m faroff years, where vital, determined men came a-hungry for the precious metal on the- banks of the Molyneux. Not for young Perrelle the uncertain, laborious and 100 often luckless cradling for gold m the icy Molyneux. He wanted a job that led somewhere. A post m the local printery as printer's devil was his first step on the road to fame. '

P. A. de la Perelle

And by the time he was old enough to vote, he had bought the whole affair, and informed the world that he was editor and proprietor of the "Lake County Press. 1 ' Later he left the musing Arrowtown to carve a niche m the bright little town of Winton. -Very early m life, Perrelle came to the front m local affairs. Singled out as a young man of balanced judgment and* discretion, he was invested at the ripe age of 23 with the insignia and dignity of J.P. Which might lead to the supposition that Perrelle is a solemn sort of chap m his middle age! Not so, really, for he is a fellow who enters with zest into the wholesome joy and sport of life. He has served his fellows on the Arrowtown Borough Council, Southland Education Board and other local bodies. He has also led the Southland. Mounted Rifles into peaceful action. Perrelle is not experiencing quite the same blank feelings of newness as some other members of . Sir Joe's Cabinet, for he has been m Parliament before. Futile to ,try and guess how long he and his colleagues will gather m Cabinet conclave. But it is no uncertainty that Perrelle is a popular New Zealancler and a genial .fellow. No airs about him, but a genuine handshake for old and new friends.