A POPULAR POLICE OFFICER HONORED.

New Zealand Tablet, 11 August 1921, Page 37

A POPULAR POLICE OFFICER HONORED.

Prior to his departure for Wellington, having been promoted from Constable in charge of the Paeroa police district (a position he has very capably filled for the past sixyears) to the rank of sergeant (writes our own corresponsoffial’ b &oea f T ‘ H ‘ Dyer WaS enterta:in ed at a smoke social by the townspeople, among whom he is held in the highest esteem. The Mayor (Mr. P. E. Brennan) presided at a largely attended gathering in the local Returned Soldiers’ Hall. Mr, H. Poland, M.P. for Ohinemuri, telegraphed his regret at his inability to be present, eulogising him and K ye f S f &S a P<“cer, -d wfshing him and his family every Prosperity in his advanced position and new location. After Mr. E. W. Porritt (solicitor) had paid an .eloquent tribute to the fine character of the r 0 as°it:r n T?; the Mayr ’ " his Civic ca P a nd also as a justice of the peace, spoke in- laudatory terms regarding Sergeant Dyer’s tactfulness, consideration and other sterling qualities which go to make-what their’guest Tntsk 0 V ** L d watch also nT S i? rgeant Dyer ’ S acee P^ anc e of a gold watch, also of a gold wristlet watch for Mrs. Dyer,

Mr. Brennan said these were gifts from all sections of the community, ,as the subscription list testified; a plain indication of the high esteem in which both recipients were regarded by the people of Paeroa. in acknowledging with expressions of sincere gratitude the honor shown him and Mrs. Dyer, the sergeant said he regretted leaving Paeroa, where he and his family had been very happy. One’s ambition naturally was (he said) to advance in whatever service his lot may be cast, and in his (the speaker’s) instance promotion in the police service having come to him he must go where duty called. Mr. T. E. McMillan, of. the Ohinemuri Gazette in eulogising their friend’s capabilities as a police-officer, remarked that a learned judge had expressed the opinion that the highest function of the police was not to bring criminals to justice but to prevent crime being committed. Sergeant Dyer (he said) had lived up to this high ideal, and in honoring him the people of Paeroa were honoring themselves. In a similar strain kindly sentiments regarding their guest were voiced by a number of other prominent residents of the district.

The proceedings, which were enthusiastic throughout, were interspersed with musical and elocutionary items capably rendered and much enjoyed.