SUPERINTENDENT WILLIS

Otago Witness, Issue 4029, 2 June 1931, Page 21

SUPERINTENDENT WILLIS

RETIREMENT FROM POLICE FORCE " FAREWELL BY REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING. The retirement of the Superintendent of Police for Otago, Mr J. C. Willis, was marked on Saturday evening by a function at the Central Police Station, which was attended by a very representative gathering of citizens. Mr A. C. Hanlon, K.C., took the chair, and there were also present:—Messrs J. R. Bartholomew and H- W_. Bundle, stipendiary magistrates; Commissioner W. G. Wohlmann, chief of the police of the Dominion; Messrs F B. Adams, Crown solicitor; F. W. Mitchell, Deputy Mayor; H. West, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce; W. G. Kindley, president of the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Association; J. H. Wilkinson, president of the Justices of the Peace Association; J. P. P. Clouston, postmaster at Dunedin; and representatives of the various departments of the Force and the Department of Justice in Dunedin. Telegrams expressing the good wishes of the senders were read by Mr Hanlon from Mr H. J. Dixon, S.M., Inspector Bird (Timaru), Inspector McCarthy (Invercargill), and Senior Sergeant Martin (Ashburton). Several country members of the Force intimated their regret at. being unable to attend.

The chairman said that they were gathered for the purpose of taking leave of Superintendent Willis, who was retiring after 40 years’ service in the force during which time he had borne an unblemished record. The speaker remembered personally when Mr Willis had come to Dunedin as a constable 40 years ago, and he remembered one or two fights they had had subsequently in the court. Mr Willis had been promoted to the rank of sergeant while in Dunedin, and he had later been transferred from place to place throughout the Dominion. He was made a sub-inspector and was stationed at Wellington in that capacity for some time before being made inspector and sent to Timaru and later to Hamilton. He had then become superintendent and was placed in charge at Dunedin, where he had remained for the past five years. Mr Hanlon went on to say that though the members of the Bar were mostly in opposition to the police when they met, he could not help admiring the force of the Dominion which,, he was sure, would be a credit to any country, Mr Willis, he knew, was a man of the strictest integrity, and he had found, early in their acquaintance, that he could always’ rely on any information given him by Mr Willis to be correct. During the time of his service he had endeared himself, not only to those under him, but also to the general public. In conclusion, the speaker wished Superintendent Willis long life and happiness in his retirement. He was pleased to welcome so many representative citizens to the gathering. Mr Bartholomew said that it gave him much pleasure to be present at the function. He had known Mr Willis for 20 years and he had been impressed at an early stage with that officer’s efficiency and straight-forwardness. A police officer had to have a sound knowledge of criminal law as well as many other attributes such as scrupulous fairness, and Mr Willis bad been possessed of all these qualities. He added his good wishes for Mr Willis’s future happiness. Mr Bartholomew also extended a welcome to Inspector W Eccles, who had come to Dunedin as Mr Willis’s successor. He had previously been stationed at Dunedin, and he wished him success in his new and responsible appointment. Mr Bundle also added a tribute to the manner in which Superintendent Willis had done his duty during the years of his service as head of the force in Dunedin. He b.ad been a high example to others below him in the service.

Mr Adams said that during the 10 years or so he had been connected with Crown work in Dunedin his experience with the force generally had been very happy. He had not actually come into contact with Mr Willis to any great extent, but such contact as had occurred had had the effect of impressing him with Mr Willis’s ability. He could now look back upon his long term of service as having been useful and valuable to all in the community. The Deputy Mayor said that Mr Willis must indeed be happy to see so many of his colleagues gathered on that occasion. He wished to express his gratitude for the help which had so often been extended to him and to the City Council by Superintendent Willis. Dunedin had always been very fortunate in the type of man who came here as head of the police force. He was very pleased to know that Mr Willis had decided to make his home in Dunedin.

Mr West, on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, and Mr Kindley, on behalf of the Manufacturers’ Association, also made complimentary reference to the work done by the force in Dunedin and to the efficiency with which the members of the service had been guided by their chief. Mr Wilkinson, as president of the Justices of the Peace Association, said that Dunedin had every reason to be proud of the police force for the manner in which the interests and property of the community were safeguarded. When justices of the peace had been on the Bench at various times they had frequently had to rely upon the advice, of the police to aid them in their duties, and they had reason to be grateful for the help so offered. Mr Clouston, postmaster, and Mr A. E. Reynolds, chief clerk of the Magistrate’s Court at Dunedin, also spoke briefly. Inspector Cummings, speaking on behalf of the non-commissioned officers and the men of the staff, said that there was no need for him to refer to Superintendent Willis’s efficiency. He could say, however, that the superintendent’s first consideration had always been the public, and he had at all times been ready and willing to offer help and advice to the younger members of the force. The department was losing one of the most capable officers with whom the speaker had ever served. The men had asked him to convey to Mr Willis their regret at his retirement from the force and their appreciation of the manner in which they had been treated under his command. Commissioner Wohlmann said, that Superintendent Willis must feel very

proud and gratified at the manner in which his retirement from the force was being recognised. It was exceedingly gratifying to the department to see the chief interests of the city represented on an occasion of that kind. Superintendent Willis had been a distinguished member of the service, and he had always upheld the ideals of the department. The speaker and the retiring superintendent had been firm friends for many years, and he knew that Mr Willis was possessed of a high sense of honour and loyalty, and was noted for the justice, fair play, and consideration which he extended towards his men. All would regret that he was now leaving the service. The commissioner went on to say that the service had changed a good deal in late years, and he then referred to the training of young recruits before and during service. Mr Willis had reached the highest place but one in the service. He wished him a long and happy retirement, and hoped that he would still find opportunities to serve the community where he had decided to make his home. He then presented Superintendent Willis with a large grandfather clock, and with other gifts for his wife and daughter. Superintendent Willis, in reply, said that it was overwhelming to see so large a gathering and to hear the things said by the various speakers. Referring to hie own career, he said that he had been stationed in practically every part of the Dominion, and he knew the country from .end to end. Some time ago he had made up his mind to spend his retirement in Dunedin, which he considered the most beautiful city in the Dominion. He added that Dunedin was also the most law-abid-ing community in which he had ever served. Speaking of the manifold duties winch devolved upon a police officer, the speaker stated that at one place where he had been stationed he had not only had to perform the burial service on occasions, but had also, in his capacity of registrar, had to marry people. “ 1 hope none of them bear me any ill-will,” he concluded. His term as superintendent P. uned * n had been the happiest portion of his career. His work had been made easy by the loyalty and co-operation of his staff, and he would watch with interest the careers of many of those who had served under him. He wished to express his thanks to Inspector Cummings for the manner in which he had carried out his duties during the past two years and a-half. He had always found Mr Cummings a most loyal, honourable, and capable man. and in his 40 years’ service he had not met another man of greater ability. His successor was extremely fortunate in having such a lieutenant. Mr Hanlon, in welcoming Superintendent Eccles to Dunedin in his new capacity, congratulated him upon his promotion it Mr Eccles took Mr Willis's career for a pattern he was quite sure that, when the time came for him to retire, he would be accorded just such a recognition as had been given to his predecessor. Superintendent Eccles briefly replied.