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Gift to constable
Presentation at the Higham Ferrers Police Court
There was a blank charge sheet at the Higham Ferrers Petty Sessions on Monday morning, but the sitting of the court was made interesting by the presentation which was made to ex-police Constable W.E. Powell.
His Worship the Mayor (Ald. T. Patenall) presides and the others on the Bench were Mr. E.H. Horrell (Deputy Mayor) and Mr. Owen Parker C.B.E. Those present in the public seats included the Rev. H.K. Fry (vicar of Higham Ferrers), Ald. C.W. Perkins, Ald. F.D. Brazier, councillor W.W. Chamberlain, and Councillor R. Patenall.
The Mayor said it was a happy coincidence that they should have a clean sheet, inasmuch as it was to be his great pleasure to review for a moment the excellent service that had been rendered the borough by ex-Constable Powell, who, having served his 27 years in the Force, entered into retirement on December 31sr last. He had been stationed in Higham Ferrers thirteen years and during the whole of that time there was nothing but good that they could say about him. His quiet and tactful manner, genial nature and courteous conduct had won the respect of the inhabitants and of the Council too. His character had been beyond reproach and he had carried out his duties in a capable and satisfactory manner. The Mayor made special note of the ex-Constable’s thoughtfulness for young offenders. He seemed, he remarked, to have endeavoured to prevent crime amongst the younger rather than to have sought to punish it. He had so conscientiously done his duty that he had won the respect of all the people. A few gentlemen had been asked, on Mr. Parker’s suggestion, to contribute to giving a little recognition of their goodwill and of their feelings of satisfaction for the manner in which Mr. Powell had carried out his duties.
Alderman Patenall here handed to Mr. Powell a wallet containing £22 this gift being accompanied by an illuminated address signed by the Mayor, by Mr. Owen Parker as a Justice of the Peace, Mr. E.H. Horrell as Deputy Mayor and Mr. W. Hirst Simpson C.C. as Clerk to the Justices.
Mr. Parker associated himself with “the well deserved tribute”. It was necessary, he said, to obtain the authority of the Chief Constable and the Standing Joint Committee before they could make the presentation. Consent from these quarters, it was pleasing to note, was readily given. It should be a source of great satisfaction to the Constable to know he carried with him the good wishes of all with whom he had worked and that he had possessed the confidence and hearty goodwill of the people.
Mr. Simpson said the best thing he could do was to congratulate ex-Constable Powell very sincerely indeed upon being able to retire with the hearty wishes and esteem of all with whom he had come in contact. He had been regarded by the Bench and all persons officially connected with the court as a most satisfactory officer.
Supt. Macleod said he had known Powell for 34 years and for the last eleven had been his Superintendent. During that long knowledge of him he had been a thoroughly good fellow. He had retired from the service with an exemplary character. Though he had been good-hearted, he had possessed above the average share of detective ability and usefulness.
Acknowledging the gifts and the kind remarks, Mr. Powell thanked the officials and magistrates for their kindness and courtesy to him and Supt. Macleod, Insp. Hobell and Insp. Lawrence for the advice they had always been willing to give him when requires. He hoped to have the pleasure of living in the borough for many years.
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