OBITUARY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 223, 14 January 1911, Page 7

OBITUARY

W. S. PARDY'; AETAT 7C. Ex-Police Inspector Pardy died at his residence yesterday morning. Mr. Pardy first came to New Plymouth in October, 1882, when he took eharge of the local police force in succession to Inspector Goodall. In Auckland, from which place he came here, he had earned the reputation of being a particularly eiiicient and capable officer, which reputation he greatly enhanced here. When Mr. Ballance inaugurated what was calleo. his "one policeman policy" in connec-l tion with Native affairs 'on this coast I Inspector Pardy was placed in control of the police force of the district, and it was in a very great measure due to his ability and energy that the district was relieved of what had proved a great bugbear and hindrance to its progress. In undertaking the work Mr. Pardy had three obstacles to overcome. In the first place the settlers were not unnaturally alarmed at the probability of the Armed Constabulary being removed; secondly, the Constabulary were averse to their force being disbanded; and, thirdly, the Maoris were still inclined to be rebellious. With great tact and discretion Mr. Pardy bi'ought about a change amongst the Natives, soon convincing them that there was a power behind the "one policeman"; the settlers were reassured by seeing the Queen's Writ served in Parihaka and Te Whiti himself arrested and imprisoned by the civil force; whilst the disbandment of the A.C. Force was carried out so quietly that when it ceased to exist it wa,s scarcely missed. During his service in Auckland Mr. Pardy had made a name for himself, while in a subordinate position, in arresting a notorious criminal named Fred Plummer, who was terrorising the town. After his promotion hen: lie arresTed Titokowaru and other Maori chiefs for ploughing up the settlers' land on the Waimatc Plains, and subsequently he undertook the "second seige of Parihaka" with a handful of police, taking Tc Whiti, and gaining for himself the name among the Maoris of "General l'ardy." These were very anxious times for him, and his duties led him to undertake many long rides, attended generally by Constable"SculJy, whose death occurred only a week or two ago, at night, so that the Maoris came to regard him almost as a taipo so unexpectedly did he turn up where least expected and so accurately did he anticipate their movements. As a conductor of criminal prosecutions he was almost without equal in the police force, and his conspicuous services were on many occasions referred to by Ministers. In July, 18S7, Mr. Ballance, when addressing his constituents, said ;that "the colony was greatly indebted to one man, who had carried out the administration of Native affairs on the West Coast—he referred to Inspector Pardy 'for the great courage and discrimination he had shown, and for the marvellous success that had attended his efforts in getting the Natives under control." His services were recognised by the Government by his promotion to the charge of the Dunedin district, for which he left New Plymouth at the end of ISO2, being presented with an address and a purse of sovereigns, with a silver tea and coffee service for Miss Pardy. He remained at Dunedin until his retirement from the force some years ago, when he came to New Plymouth to settle down. In private life, though of a reserved disposition, he was very highly respected and esteemed. Latterly his health had not been good, and a recent trip to Melbourne appeared to have had a bad effect, for since his return he lias been steadily getting worse. In her bereavement, Miss Pardy, who has been a most devoted daughter, will have the sincerest sympathy"of a wide circle of friends.