WELLINGTON PRISON

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 422, 1 May 1937, Page 6

WELLINGTON PRISON

Superintendent Farewelled Press Association—Copyright. Wellington. April 30. The changing of the guard was witnessed a't the Wellington prison tonight, when the staff met to bid farewell to Superintendent John Down, who is l retiring after 40 years’ service with ‘the department. The presentation of an armchair was made on behalf of the staff by Mr. B. L. Dallard, Controller-General of Prisons, and a clock was presented to Mr. Down by Mr. A. Longmore on behalf of the Wellington Justices’ Association. Mil Down ha& had wide experience ,n 'the Prisons Department. He was In charge of tree-planting camps «at Hanmi'.r and Kaiotapu, and was in charge of parties which opened up Che Waiweria and Hia-utu prison farms. He was largely instrumental in starting the nurtery of native shrubs on Mount Crawford, which is being developed for the purpose of replanting Watts Peninsula in co-operation with the Wellington Beautifying Society. Expressing ithe department’s appreciation of Mr. Down’s work, Mr. Dallard said that little did Mr. Downs realise when he began 40 yeare ago as an assistant warder 'at the Wellington prison thait he had a marshal’s baton in his knapsack. His tuccess had been due to the fact that he had Invariably made the department’s Affairs his chief concern. Mr. Down’s successor is Mr. W, E. Stewart, at present chief warder of the Wellington prison.