TRIBUTE FROM BENCH

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 546, 26 December 1928, Page 11

TRIBUTE FROM BENCH

FAREWELL TO POPULAR POLICE OFFICER PRESENTATION AT STATION The impending severance of an association 20 years old, was responsible for a warm tribute paid by Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., to Sub-Inspector Cummings at the Police Court this morning. Mr. Cummings, who was recently promoted from senior-sergeant, has been appointed Sub-Inspector at Dunedin and leaves for the- South at the end of the week. Mr. Cutten referred to a 20 years old working association, during most of which time Mr. Cummings was in the detective office. “I understand that the position you now hold was less than that you formerly occupied, but that you accepted it to gain more varied experience,” continued the magistrate. “You have now gained your reward, and, on behalf of the magistrates, I congratulate you on your advancement.” Mr. Cutten spoke of Mr. Cummings’s unfailing courtesy and the care he had taken with his work which had relieved the bench to a great extent. “You go to my old home town,” he said, “andrl am sure you will be happy there, though you will find it very different from Auckland. They built a beautiful gaol there right in the centre of the town, but could find nobody to put in it so it is now the police station.”

Thanking Mr. Cutten for his remarks, Mr. Cummings recalled days now long past when the court had been much, harder worker than at present and Mr. Cutten had found it necessary to sit from 9.30 in the morning until as late as nine at night. “After listening to your worship’s judgments I have often left the Court feeling a much wiser man than when I entered it. The bench has always been most kind to me” lie said. Mr. Cummings thanked the clerk of the court, Mr. J. McEwon, and the Press for the consideration they had shown him. POLICE FAREWELL Superintendent Wohlmann Inspector Hollis, Sub-Inspector McCarthy, and Chief-Detective Hammond were among those present at a farewell held in the Auckland Police Station last week. Superintendent Wohlmann paid a high tribute to the work of Mr. Cummings during his many years’ service in the detective and uniform branches of the Auckland force. A handsome dinner and supper set was presented to Mr. a.nd Mrs. Cummings, and the gift of a full dressingset was made to Miss Cummings.