POLICE FORCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 33, 9 February 1939, Page 8

POLICE FORCE

OFFICERS PROMOTED TRANSFERS ANNOUNCED INSPECTOR J. LANDER TO BE SUPERINTENDENT Following the retirement of Superintendent D. C. Fraser, who is in charge of the Auckland police district, Inspector John Lander, in charge of the Wanganui district, is promoted to the rank of superintendent, according to an announcement made by the Commissioner of Police (Mr. D. J. Cummings). As Mr. Lander has only a short time to serve before he retires on superannuation, he remains in charge of the Wanganui district. Inspector James Cummings, in charge of the Palmerston North district, has been promoted to the rank of superintendent, and transferred to take charge of the Auckland district. Mr. Cummings takes over on February 17 from Superintendent Fraser, who retires on superannuation on that date. Inspector Cummings will be succeeded in Palmerston North by Inspector H. Scott, now. in charge of th" Greymouth district. Sup-Inspector D. A. McLean, Wellington, is promoted to the rank of inspector and transferred to lake charge of the Greymouth district in place of Inspector Scott. Inspector McLean was stationed at Wanganui about eight years ago as senior-ser-geant. Senior-Sergeant E. J. Carroll. Rotorua, is promoted to lhe rank of subinspector, and remains in charge of the Rotorua sub-district, which comprises Rotorua. Te Whaiti. Taupo, Tokaanu, Te Puke. Putaruru and Matamata. This sub-district still remains under the direct control of the inspector in Hamilton. Senior-Sergeant D. J. O'Neill, Central Station, Wellington, is promoted to the rank of sub-inspector and remains in Wellington. Senior-Sergeant G. J. Paine, in charge of the Training School, Wel-

lington, replaces Senior-Sergeant O'Neill at Central Station. Sergeant D. C. B. Beard, at present in charge of the district police office, Wellington, is to take charge of the Training School. Wellington. Sergeant R. T. Kearton, of the distrist office. Palmerston North, will replace Sergeant Beard at the district office, Wellington. Constable P. J. McEntee. Wanganui, replaces Sergeant Kearton in Palmerston North. Detectives H. C. Murch and R. H. Waterson. Auckland, and D. McKenzie. Christchurch, are promoted to the rank of detective-sergeant. Constables C. M. Francis, of lhe Criminal Registration Branch, Auckland. and H. Welch. Auckland, are promoted to the rank of sergeant. Inspector Career Inspector Lander joined the police force in September. 1899, at Wellington, and on leaving the training depot was transferred to Wanganui, but was sent to Palmerston North immediately. Palmerston North at that lime being under the control of the Wanganui district. Then followed three and a half years’ service at Foxton. Following a short period ol duty in Napier, he was sent to take charge of the Te Awamulu station, where he remained until 1915. when he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and transferred to Auckland City. Following 18 months’ duty there he was placed in charge of the Devonport Police Station for 18 months. In 1921 ho was promoted to Wellington with the rank of seniorsergeant . In 1920 he accompanied the Duke of Windsor, then Prince of Wales, on his tour through New Zealand, and in 1927 he was also one of the special police who accompanied the present King and Queen, then the Duke and Duchess of York, on their tour of the Dominion. A cherished memento of this visit is a gold watch with the crest of the Duke and Duchess on it, which was given to the police on that occasion. Mr. Lander was also the recipient of the Royal Victorian Medal. As inspector he also accompanied the Duke of Gloucester during his visit in 1935. and was given an embossed silver cigarette case as a memento of the visit. Inspector Lander has been in charge of the Wanganui police district since February, 1935.