PRESENTATION TO SERGEANT O'MALLEY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8213, 17 August 1906, Page 5

PRESENTATION TO SERGEANT O'MALLEY.

The citizens' presentation of a testimonial and purse of sovereigns to Sergeant O'Maliey took place in the Horou&h Council Chambers, last evening. The Mayor cresided, and there were also present—Rev. Dean MoKenua, Messrs B. J. Dolan, A. Haughov, 11. U. Bennett, J. O'Mearn, E. Rawson, J. McK. Millar, R. II Krabagan, T. G. Mason, A. Henderson. J. 0. Ewington, Tbos. Duncan, A. J. Hafcbaway, R. Brown, 0. A. Powuall and R. Pin- , hey. The Mayor said that it gave hirn much pleasure to presaut the testimonial to Sergeant O'Maliey, and yive expression to the high esteem in which he was hold by the people of Maqterton. In his official capacity the Sergeant had at all times carried out his duty iu a manner that had stamped him as a man of honour in every shape and form. He was, declared the Mayor, a straightforward man in every respect. It should be pleasing to the Sergeant to know that ho was held in such high esteem. "We are all deeply sorry that you are going to leave us," said the Mayor, addressing the Sergeant, "bat knowing that, we can only wish you and your wife and family a long life of health and prosperity." Mr Dolan, Secretary of the Presentation Fund, in the rourse of his remarks, stated that not one subscription to the Presentation Fund had been solicited; they had all been given spontaneously. Sergeant O'Maliey always did his duty well , and tactfully. Rev. Dean McKenua, while endorsing the sentiments of the previous speakers, thought it a matter for regret that a man of the Sergeant's (act and ability should be forced to retire from the polioe force before bis proficiency had ceased, Though he was an old man the Sergeant Cuuld yet give points to many a younger member of the force. However, he was retiring on his laurels, and he would now end a glorious career iu peace, and, he hoped, prosperity. Mr Pownall expressed his pleasure at being present, and said he had exero'sed much haste and "ridden over footpaths" to get there (laughter). Speaking professionally, he said he bad been on the other side of the table to the Sergeant on a good many occasions, and he had often tried to get the better of the Sergeant, but he was afraid that the Serjeant had got the better of him on more occasions than otherwise. Though the sergeant had had a good many oases to deal with, he (Mr Pownall) had never known him to press for a 'oonviotion against an accused person whom he believed to be innocent, and he always believed in giving a prisoner fair play. "The best thing we can do now," said Mr Pownall, jooularly, to make the Sergeant secretary of the Licensed Victuallers' Association.'! (Loud laagnter). Mr Duncan aaid he had known the Sergeant for 25 years, and had always found him to be a true man. During his aareer in Masterton the Sergeant had given great assistance to the Benevolent Society, and through the oareful manner in which he bad handled oases he had saved a great amount of. the ratepayers' money. He was pleßsed to be present, but he was sorry that the town was losing the services of the Sergeant. Mr Rawson said that he had always found Sergeant O'Maliey absolutely impartial and devoted to his duty. He thought it a matter for regret that the public should be deprived of the services uf a man with long years of experience such as the Sergeant had had. The Sergeant had haa many exciting experiences. Though the Sergeant had retired from the Polioe Force, the speaker was pleased to learn that he was still going to remain in the town. The Mayor then presented Sergeant O'Maliey with a purse containing 72 sovereigns, and an illuminated address, of which the following is the text:—"We, the undersigned, residents of Masterton and surrounding diatriot, desire on this, the occasion of the relinquishment of your position as Sergeant in charge of the local polioe force, to mark our appreciation, in some public and tangible form of your oondunt as an official and as a oitizen. Coming to us with a distinguished reputation you ably sustained that oharacter for integrity, which was a proinineotj feature of your previous career. The taot and impartiality with whioh you discharged your onerous duties, entitle you to our highest respect and esteem, and we trust that your years of retirement may be many and marked with i all the happiness whioh your devotion to d'lty has so well merited," The testimonial was signed by 101 citizens. Sergeant O'Maliey, r in a few well chosen remarks, thanked the citizens for the testimonial and purpe of sovereigns.