VALEDICTORY

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 59, Issue 55, 5 April 1930, Page 8

VALEDICTORY

SENIOR-SERGEANT J. A DEMPSEY. - PRESEXTATION MADE. By this morning's express train, Senior-Sergeant J. A. Dempsey, who has proved himself to be one of the most popular police officials ever stationed in Hastings, left to take over his new duties in Wellington — duties which involve promotion which has been well and truly earned. Last night, Senior-Sergeant Dempsey was met in Hastings by his fellow members of tlie police force, and at the gathering, the Napier force was represented by Inspector Cummings and De-tective-Sergeant Fitzgibbon, and in appreciation and esteem, he was asked to accept a solid leather suit case, which carried with it the hest of good wishes for the senior-sergeant' s success in the capital city. Inspector Cummings, in saying farewell, expressed deep regret at the departure of Senior-Sergeant Dempsey, who had endeared himself to all, done full justice to liis position, done full justice to the department and done full justice to the public. The inspector stated that when any man could do all these things, hei had done miglity well. "You have acbieved these objects and ac-hieved them thorouglily," said the inspector. The inspector referred in the highest terms to the departing officer's sense of fairness and devotion to duty. He expressed personal regret at the departure of sueh a valtled officer, but it was really natural that such a man should go to a higher position, and no doubt the day was not far distant for his promotion to cornmissioned rank. "There is no doubt in mv mind that you are destined for it. and there is no' doubt that you will fill such rank with as much credit as you filled your position liere," said the inspector. , . "Speaking personally," eoutmued the inspector, "I must say that in mv position as inspector I have never felt at all anxious as to how your duties were carried out. I am perfectlv satisfied that the administration of this district was well looked after by you, and that the requirements of the district were well catered for. I wish you and Mrs Dempsey and your family nothing but happiness, health and prosperity in your *new quarters. Sergeant G. A. Doggett expressed regret at the senior-sergeant' s departure and this regret, he said, was aiso voiced bv the wliole staff, with wbom the senior-sergeant had got on so well. Sergeant Doggett' s wishes were for the best of Iuck for the senior-sergeant and his family. Detecfcive-Sergeant Fitzgibbon said h? was not pleased at the departure oi' the senior-sergeant, but lie- was pleased in the knowledge that. he was going • to more important duties. "You are a man who has been greatly respected bv the staff and by the publi- of Hastings, and I am sure that your departure .will be Hastings' loss," he said. Constable R. T. Bradley said that all the constables would deeply miss their senior-sergeant, for they looked upon him with great personal regard, both as a friend and as the officer-in-charge. In reply, Senior-Sergeant Dempsey said it was with a very heavy heart that he ivas leaving, and he could not say that he was going to his new duties as cheerfully as he_ should. He was very thankful to the inspector for his he7p and advice in the past, and to Sergeant Doggett lie owed liis special thanks, for the sergeant had been an untiring and willing assistant. "I came to rely on him so much that when I get to Wellington I will feel that I have 110 one to lean on," said the senior-sergeant. The speaker thanked Detective-Sergeant Fitzgibbon for many kindly acts and much good advice, and as for the constables. they had sliown a most consistent devotion to cluty, and thougli at times they had cause to gnimble, they had never offered a word of complaint. "They are a most excellent, capable, conscientious and courteous staff, and I regret that I have to say good-bye," concluded the senior-sergeant.