PRESENTATION TO SUPT. DEANE
The presentation to Mr. George Deane, Superintendent of the Borough Police, took place on Thursday evening, at the Mansion House. The chair was taken by Mr. T. Newton, and amongst those present were Messrs. Deller, Stacey, Gale, W. Foster, Tranter, Sexton, Pratt, Newton, junr., etc. The testimonial consisted of a handsome silver tea-pot, beautifully chased, and bearing the following inscription:-
Presented to Supt. Deane
by the Inhabitants of Newbury
Dec. 22, 1870,
in acknowledgement of the zealous performance of his duty
as a police officer
during the last 30 years.
This teapot, which was obtained at the establishment of Mr. Packer, was also accompanied with a purse containing £10 4s. 3d. The Chairman, on whom the task of making the presentation devolved, said it was a position he was proud to be able to fill, because they were met to show a mark of esteem to a public officer of 30 years' standing, against whom there had never been brought a charge, who had not been known to neglect his duty by excess or shortcomings, and who was not influenced by fear, favour or intimidation (hear, hear).
So impartially had he carried out the law that a gentleman whose name was down for 5s had been summonsed on one occasion by Mr. Deane, and wished to show his approval of the fearless behaviour of the superintendent. At the same time he had not been officious, and so long as the law was not broken he did not trouble to interfere with the little games which had at one time or another in their experience they had all indulged in: nor had he been anxious to strain the law against persons guilty of trivial offences when the matter had been done by ignorance.
Still he had been most assiduous. No superintendent in the county of Berks had been more vigilant, or detected more horse stealers, sheep dealers, or bona fide rogues than Superintendent Deane (hear, hear). It had been a pleasure to be engaged with Mr. Stacey in collecting for the testimonial, to hear the many good words spoken of their friend and the satisfaction expressed by the public as to the way in which he had performed his duties.
In handing the testimonial to Supt. Deane Mr. Newton said that being of opinion he ought to have something to put in it he had brought a pound of tea, which being gunpowder tea, was naturally of an explosive tendency, and it would never do, after what had been said to-night to hear that an explosion had occurred in the locality of the police-station or gaol.
He had at the same time to present a purse, given by two young ladies from motives of respect, containing 10 of Her Majesty's likeness in gold, together with three similar likenesses in silver- making altogether £10.4s.8d. He trusted Supt. Deane would live many years to enjoy the beverage brewed in the teapot, and that when he was gone it would be handed down as an heirloom in the family.
Supt. Deane, in replying, said he could not find words to express his feeling on finding himself the recipient of such a gratifying testimonial, and begged to express his sincere and heartfelt thanks to the subscribers to the fund, and more especially to those gentlemen who had taken such an active part in raising the same. It was true he was an old servant of the borough: at the same time he had always received his salary, and compared with other towns he believed Newbury behaved as well as any, and certainly better than the generality, in the remuneration and clothes to their police officers.
His endeavour in the past had been to perform his duty without fear, favour, or affection, and the same principle would actuate him in his public conduct in future. The present would always bring to his mind kindly feelings, and he begged to assure them that it would be highly prized as affording a testimony of the regard and goodwill of his fellow townsmen.
Mr. Deller moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was seconded by Mr. Stacey, who, as having assisted in the collecting the funds, bore his testimony to the readiness with which the contributions were given, and the respect entertained for Supt. Deane.
The Chairman having replied, those present offered their congratulations to Supt. Deane, and after a joke or two as to the “gunpowder,” and an inquiry as to what time the respected Superintendent took his tea on Sunday, the company separated. |
