THE LATE INSPECTOR LAWLESS.

The funeral of ex-PoIice-inspector Lawless, who died on Wednesday, aged 74, took place yesterday at the Field of Mars Cemetery. The cortege moved from the deceased’s Into residence, “The Fisherton,” Marsfield, about 3 o’clock, and was followed by a large concourse of mourners in vehicles and on foot.

A short service was held at the residence by the Rev. Charles Baber (Church of England), who also officiated at the grave.

The chief mourners were Mr. Edmund Lawless, Mr. Frank Lawless, Miss Letitia Lawless, and Miss Marion Lawless.

Among those present were: Inspector Potter (representing the Inspector-General of Police). Inspector Bell, and Sub-Inspector Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. Crandon, Mrs. Bell, Mr. and Mrs. Robertson, Mrs. Pettitt, and Messrs. Crabbe, Aitken, W. Chaffer, Nicolls, Beverley, Puckren, Kincott, Sparrow, Scott, G. Pettitt, Morrison, senr., A. Morrison, and others.

The late Inspector Lawless for some nine years before his retirement from the police force of New South Wales, was in command of the Redfern Division, now known as No. 7, in the charge of which he was succeeded by Inspector Garland.

Inspector Lawless retired some two years ago on pension, and removed to Marsfield. Up to that time he was one of the oldest police officers In the State.

Originally he joined the London police, in which he attained the rank of sergeant.

About 1852 he came to Victoria, where he also held a sergeant‘s rank in the Victorian police force.

In 1866 he joined the New South Wales police as a constable, and gradually rose in rank until, in 1883, he became an acting sub-inspector.

In April, 1893, he was made an Inspector.

Altogether, the deceased was connected with No. 2 Police Station for 25 years, in addition to nine years’ service in the Redfern district.

He leaves a widow and seven daughters and two sons.

MARSFIELD.

DEATH.— Mr. Edmund Lawless, of Balaclava-road, Marsfield, died at his residence on the afternoon of New Year’s Day, and was buried on Thursday afternoon at the Field of Mars General Cemetery. The cause of death was heart disease and dropsy from which the deceased who was 74 years of age had been suffering for some time past. He leaves a widow and large family.

DEATH OF POLICE SERGEANT

SERGEANT Arthur Alfred Jacob Willmott, aged 48 years, of the Leeton police force, died this morning at his home, from rheumatics around the heart.

The first sign of sickness was on Thursday last ( 18 Feb ) at the Petty Sessions Court, but the sergeant carried on till the close of the court on Friday ( 19 Feb ). On Saturday ( 20 Feb ) it was necessary for him to go to bed. Yesterday ( 23 Feb ) he spoke of going on holidays next week on account of feeling run down.

The late Sergeant Willmott came to Leeton on June 3 last, from Burwood. He was an obliging and courteous officer and a man who gave personal attention to any cases of distress, which came under his notice.

Prior to coming to Leeton, he was senior station sergeant at Burwood divisional headquarters for six years, and had had all-round experience including traffic, motor cycle duty, plain clothes and detective work. He had also been a member of the police band.

His sudden passing has come as a shock to the people of Leeton, for it is less than a year since his predecessor Sergeant Ferris, died suddenly in the same house on April 8 last, after only being three months in Leeton.

The late Sergeant Willmott is survived by his widow and one daughter, Mrs. Blackmore, of Pennant Hills.

The body will be taken to Sydney today for cremation, under arrangements of Ashtons.

In the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

PROBATE JURISDICTION.

In the matter of the estates of the undermentioned deceased persons and in the matter of the Wills, Probate and Administration Act, 1898-1932; the Public Trustee Act, 1913-1936, and the Testator’s Family Maintenance and Guardianship of Infants Act, 1916.

NOTICE is hereby given that the Public Trustee has this day filed in the Registry of this Honourable Court his elections to administer the estates of the following deceased persons:—

Arthur Alfred Jacob Willmott, late of Leeton, in the State of New South Wales, sergeant of police, who died 23rd February, 1937 (will dated 4th July, 1919).

EX-SERGEANT J. WILLMOTT.

Ex-Sergeant Jacob Willmott who died on Tuesday aged 72 years was born in Somerset shire, England.

He joined the Royal Marines and saw service in many warships including the Valiant which was one of England’s first Ironclads.

The later years of his naval career were spent with the H M S Miranda on the Australian station. He obtained his discharge from that warship in 1886 and during the same year joined the New South Wales police force and was stationed at Regent street (city), Parramatta, Albion Park and Wollongong.

He was the first policeman stationed at Corrimal and it was from there that he retired in 1916.

He became special Inquiry officer in the A.I.F. completing 3½ years service in 1920

He is survived by one son. The funeral took place on Thursday at the Crematorium and was attended by a large number of metropolitan and South Coast friends.

CORRIMAL

Sergeant Jacob Willmott; formerly officer-in-charge of Corrimal police station for many years, died in Sydney on Tuesday, aged 72 years. One son, Arthur is a police sergeant at Burwood. His wife predeceased him a few months ago.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/142528192

Bulli – Woonona

FUNERALS.

Coroner’s Inquiry.

An inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of James McPhee, who was found dead at the Moree District Hospital on Wednesday night last, was held before the Coroner ( Mr. P. P. Rosenthal ) on Friday.

Sergeant Eagleton deposed: About 10 o’clock on Wednesday night last, 27th inst., from something I was told, in company with Constable Kearney, I went to the Moree District Hospital. I there saw the deceased, James McPhee, in a sitting position in the bathroom. He had a large incised wound in his throat, and was quite dead. There was a razor ( produced ) lying on the floor in the bathroom, quite close to his right hand. There was a large quantity of blood on the floor and over his clothing, which consisted of a pair of pyjamas, an under and a top shirt, and pair of socks. I assisted to remove the body into the hospital morgue.

The deceased was a stranger in Moree.

To the Coroner: I made a search at the hospital of the deceased’s belongings and found a letter (produced) from his wife.

To Mr. Wlllmott (uncle of the deceased): The act was committed in the bathroom. I did not know the deceased.

Dr. Malcolm Frizell deposed: I first saw McPhee about a fortnight ago. He came round to my surgery and told me he was suffering from rheumatism. I advised him to go to the hospital. He was in a very weak state of health and was suffering a lot at pain. He complained of not being able to sleep at night on account of the pain, and I ordered him some sleeping powders.

On Wednesday night, 27th inst., at 10 p.m. I received a message from the Matron at the District Hospital, saying that McPhee had apparently committed suicide in the bathroom. I Informed the Sergeant of Police and went direct to the hospital. On my arrival there I saw McPhee sitting on a chair with his head against the wall. There was a large incised wound in his throat, and the large artery in the neck, the jugular vein, and windpipe were severed. Life was extinct, and death from the injury would probably occur within a few minutes. His right arm was hanging by his side and there was a blood-stained razor lying on the floor within a few inches of his right hand. There was a large pool of blood on the floor, and his clothes were soaked.

The cause of death, in my opinion, was haemorrhage caused by the wound in the throat.

To the Coroner: In my opinion, the wound was self-inflicted.

To the Police: The wound could have been inflicted by the razor (produced).

To Mr. Willmott: I saw the deceased on my rounds every morning at the hospital from the time of admission till his death. I never saw, at any time, any signs of insanity on the deceased.

Margaret Adeline Finn, certificated trained nurse, and matron of the Moree District Hospital, stated that deceased was admitted to the District Hospital on July 14. During the time the deceased was in the hospital he never did or said anything to lead me to believe he would commit suicide. On Wednesday last, 27th inst, I saw him about 8 o’clock. He was then in bed, but was not asleep. I had just given him a sleeping powder. About 25 minutes to ten o’clock I inquired as to his condition and was told that he was sleeping. About 10 o’clock, Nurse Hewson and Nurse Mulheron came to my room and informed me they thought McPhee had cut his throat in the bathroom. I went to the bathroom and found the deceased sitting on a chair with his head against the wall. There appeared to be a large wound in his neck, from which blood was dripping. His clothes were blood-stained. The chair on which he sat was also covered in blood. There were fingerprints in blood on the wall near where he was sitting. I saw a half opened razor on the floor near his right hand.

To the Police: The deceased possessed a razor. I have been informed that he had shaved himself whilst at the hospital. I locked the bathroom door and rang up the doctor.

To the Coroner: During the time the deceased had been under my observation he never gave me any reason to think he was other than an ordinary patient.

Lilian Mary Hewson, probationary nurse at the District Hospital, deposed: On the night of the 27th Inst. I was on night duty. I last saw the deceased in bed about 25 minutes to 10 p.m., in the men’s ward. I spoke to him, but he did not answer. I left the room and went to the kitchen. I again returned to the ward about fifteen minutes later. I walked past the deceased’s bed and noticed he was not in bed. I went to the lavatory to see if he was there. He was not there. I then looked around the verandah, and could not find him. I then looked around the ward, and not finding him I went to the bathroom. The door was closed. I pushed the door open and saw McPhee sitting on a chair, with his head against the wall. His clothes were blood-stained. I then informed the matron. I then returned to the bathroom and was present when the body was removed to the morgue.

To the Police: I could not say whether he had a razor in his locker or not, or whether he had a shave whilst he was In the hospital. During the time he was in the hospital, he seemed to be quite all right mentally.

George Barrett, shearer, at present an inmate of the Moree District Hospital, deposed: I know the deceased, McPhee, in Sydney. On Tuesday last, 26th inst., I had a conversation with the deceased, about 3 o’clock. I said to him, “Have you done no good regarding your health?” He said, ”No.” I said, “It is a wonder you don’t go back to Sydney, where your friends are.” He said, “If I went back to Sydney I would put myself over the Gap.” He then said, “I am pretty well a done man, and in so much misery I would just as soon cut my throat now.” I said, “Don’t talk like that, Jim ; there is always a chance.” That ended the conversation.

To the Police: I never mentioned the conversation I had with him to the Matron.

To the Coroner: When he made the threats mentioned above I did not believe he was in earnest or I would have reported the matter.

Jacob Willmott, retired police sergeant, residing at Glebe, Sydney, deposed : I arrived in Moree this morning in company with the deceased’s wife, and went to the Moree District Hospital and was taken by the Matron to the morgue. The deceased’s wife and myself went in and saw the deceased, whom we identified to be James McPhee. I have been residing in the same house as the deceased and his wife and mother-in-law, also my wife, for about two years. About ten months ago he had a very bad attack of influenza. He was ill for about six weeks. He then went out on the cab rank again and started work. He got wet two or three days following and had to give up work again. He had very severe pains at the back of the head and in his left shoulder. Dr. Sydney Jones was called in and prescribed for him, but he seemed to get worse. He was then taken to the Sydney Hospital, and was later in Little Bay Hospital for eight weeks. He was then taken home. Eventually he came to Moree, on the advice of doctors to try the bore baths — about May 22.

We had several letters from him reporting his condition.

To the Coroner : There was nothing in his letters to lead me to believe that he contemplated taking his life.

To the Police: The deceased was about 39 years of age. The deceased’s life was Insured in the T. and G. Insurance Company for about £40. Deceased owned a cab and horse but no harness. He was of temperate habits.

The Coroner found that the deceased died from haemorrhage from a wound in the throat wilfully self-inflicted. He added a rider to the effect that no blame could be attached to the staff of the hospital.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/111860604

WILLMOTT .- July 1, at R.P.A. Hospital. Sydney. John Thomas Willmott, ( late 20th Batt. A.I.F. ) dearly loved husband of Mary Adelaide (Molly ) Willmott of Fairmount street, Lakemba, aged 28 years.

WILLMOTT.- July 1, 1919, at R.P.A. Hospital, Sydney, John Thomas ( late A.I.F. ) dearly loved son of ex-Sergeant of Police Jacob Willmott late of Corrimal. South Coast, and brother of Constable A. J. Willmott of Chatswood police, aged 23 years.

I.S. MEDALLISTS

Police and Prisons Officials DISTINGUISHED SERVICES

The Governor ( Sir Walter Davidson ) presented Imperial Service Medals to retired members of the police force and prisons department at the police depot this afternoon. Below are summaries of the official records of the services and deeds of the recipients.

Medals for proficiency in life-saving were also gained by 23 constables.

SERGT. JACOB WILLMOTT. — During his 30 years service in the police force he was instrumental in securing the arrest and conviction of several notorious offenders. He earned the commendation of his officers for the manner in which he performed his duties in connection with the Mount Kembla disaster in 1902.

[322] Premier’s Department,

Sydney, 19th July, 1918.

HIS Excellency the Governor directs it to be notified that he has received Despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, intimating that His Majesty the King has been pleased to approve of the grant of Imperial Service Medals to the undermentioned ex-officers of the New South Wales Public Service: —

Late of Police Department:— Mr. James Hogg, Mr. Jacob Willmott, Mr. William McKinlay, Mr. James Cheney, Mr. Roger Meagher, Mr. Michael Hahesy.

Late of Prisons Department: Mr. Thomas Piper, Mr. Robert Howarth, Mr. Edward McBride.

Late of Audit Department:—Mr. Samuel Stumbles.

W. A. HOLMAN.

SOLDIER’S ALLOTMENT.,

Solicitor Fined £10,

In the Central Summons Court on Thursday Mr Adrian gave his reserved decision in the case in which Jacob Willmott, of the Garrison Military Police, proceeded against Ernest Robert Abigail, solicitor, of 77 Castlereagh-street, Sydney.

The information alleged that on or about July 25 last the defendant contravened a provision of a regulation made in pursuance of the War Precautions Act, 3914-1916, in that he accepted by way of pledge an assignment of the right of an allottee, one Phyllis Hampsted, sometimes known as May Miller, to receive an allotment from the pay of Henry Miller, a soldier, enlisted for service during the present war.

Mr. Hardwick, who, instructed by the Commonwealth Crown Solicitor, appeared to prosecute, denied that he said at the previous hearing that Mr Abigail had done no wrong. What he said was that the Crown did not allege any sharp practice.

Mr Adrian said he had decided to convict, and taking all the circumstances into consideration, would impose a fine of £10, with £6/12/ costs; in default, one month’s imprisonment. Mr Parker, who represented Mr Abigail, said that the latter, who was at present indisposed, intended to contest the matter further.

I.S. MEDALS.

PRESENTED BY GOVERNOR.

At the police depot in Bourke-street yesterday afternoon, the Governor ( Sir Walter Davidson ) presented Imperial Service Medals to a number of retired officers of the police and prisons department In recognition of distinguished conduct and meritorious service. Mr Fuller ( Chief Secretary ) and Mr Mitchell ( Inspector-General of Police ) were among those present. The following were the awards:

Police Force. – Ex-Superintendent Alfred Amos Sykes : ex-Sergeants Edmund Reid, Dennis Coates, James Hogg, James Cheney, Roger Meagher, Jacob Willmott, William McKinlay, and Constable Michael Hahesy.

Prisons’ Department. – Thomas Piper, Robert Howarth, Edward McBride, and Walter William Lammas.

In addition, 23 constables were recipients of the medallion of the Royal Life-saving Society.

Police go on contracts, union appalled

By TONY WRIGHT .

Police officers and public servants in the Australian Federal Police force will work under virtually identical conditions following radical new employment arrangements to be introduced next year.

Both police officers and public servants will work under contract for fixed terms, ending tenure of service within the force. The length of contracts has not been decided, but their renewal will be based on performance.

The decision, announced in letters sent to all members of the AFP in the past two days, constitutes the most far-reaching change in employment conditions for AFP members since the force was set up a decade ago.

The 600 public servants employed by the force currently work under the Commonwealth Public Service Act. Under the new scheme, known as a “unified police force”, they would be covered by an amended Australian Federal Police Act, and would be subject to disciplinary conditions similar to those of the 2800 police officers.

Legislation for the new deal is expected to go before Parliament in the Budget session beginning in August, and the arrangements are planned to be introduced next year.

It would create an Australian precedent: the country’s first police force employing all its members on fixed term contracts.

Although the AFP Commissioner, Peter McAulay, issued a discussion paper on the proposals in February, the announcement this week that the new arrangements were to be introduced caught unions by surprise, and infuriated the Australian Federal Police Association.

The association has flatly refused an invitation to discuss with the AFP implementation of the scheme.

The association’s national assistant secretary, Dale Small, said, “I am absolutely appalled by the AFP’s complete lack of accepted industrial-relations behaviour in the way they have handled this.

“They have taken away all our rights as a legitimate industrial body – they have not undertaken any negotiations with us. They have simply told us that this is what they are going to do. It came out of the blue. They have told us they will not be involved in negotiations over the introduction of a unified work force or fixed-term contracts.

“The AFP has said the only thing to discuss is the implementation of the new scheme. We will not be involved in any discussions under those conditions.”

Mr Small said his association had written to the Attorney-General, Lionel Bowen, requesting clarification of the Government’s intention in the matter and asking for consultation.

The assistant secretary of the ACT branch of the Administrative and Clerical Officers Association, Mr Peter Southwell, knew nothing of the announcement until contacted by The Canberra Times last night.

Mr Southwell said ACOA, which represents many of the public servants employed by the AFP, had been aware that “proposals along these lines were being developed”.

“But requests for further information have brought no response [from the AFP],” he said. “We are strongly concerned about possible losses of conditions of service, losses of job security, a potential move to individual contracts of employment [outside award structures] and the use of police disciplinary powers against civilians.” Mr Southwell said ACOA would meet other unions next week to discuss a coordinated response to the AFP announcement. About 10 unions represent employees of the AFP, though some have few members in the AFP.

It is understood Federal Cabinet approved the new arrangements about three weeks ago.

In the letter announcing the new deal, the officer in charge of the AFP’s industrial relations division, Commander Alex Bunt, said the proposals were “consistent with the Government’s objective for a more efficient and effective AFP making use of modern management techniques, new employment arrangements and a better educated, skilled and trained work force focused on major national criminal investigations”.

The main features of the plan are:

The introduction of fixed-term contracts for all AFP employees:

award-based for all ranks below Commander or Senior Executive Service equivalent, and award-free for Commanders and above.

The creation of a unified workforce under the AFP Act.

As far as practicable, similar terms and conditions of employment for all, and similar disciplinary arrangements.

The introduction of a scheme to compensate employees for loss of tenure, subject to a qualifying period.

The Commissioner would have the power to determine terms and conditions of employment of all AFP employees (outside those already specified in awards) subject to broad government wages policy considerations.

Police union threat on Christmas Island force

Police on Christmas Island, 2625km north-north-west of Fremantle, Western Australia, may be withdrawn the week before Christmas unless an agreement can be reached on police numbers on the island.

The national secretary of the Australian Federal Police Association, Chris Eaton, said yesterday that he had been informed that from December 13 the number of police on the island would be reduced from six to two. In view of the “serious occupational risk” AFPA members would then face, the association would withdraw them and “alternative law-enforcement arrangements” would have to be made.

He said three of the Australian Federal Police officers stationed on Christmas Island completed their secondment in early December and would not be replaced. One officer was on indefinite sick leave on the mainland. From December 13 there would only be two AFP officers on the island of 1000 people.

Police on Christmas Island were supplied by the AFP but administered, paid and managed by the Department of Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories, he said.

The department had banned overtime from November 10. Many of the additional duties performed by police ( including manning the fire brigade, Customs duties, and manning air-sea emergency services ) were already frequently unmanned. Staff cuts would mean these services would “hardly ever be manned.”

The population of the island was “depressed, angry and mostly out of work” and this was “a recipe for trouble,” he said. “It only takes one armed offender, or one hostage or siege situation, and these police are in isolated peril,” Mr Eaton said.

He warned that “the same bureaucrats” responsible for administering the police on Christmas Island would soon be administering a self-governing ACT. “I have no doubt the AFP have had no part to play in this [ decision to cut police numbers ],” he said.

The Chief Superintendent of the AFP’s industrial-relations section, Chief Superintendent Alex Bunt, said last night that the AFP had “no intention of leaving only two AFP members on the island”.

He said the number of AFP officers made available for duty on the island was decided by consultation between the department and the AFP, based on what level of policing the department requested, and what the AFP agreed was reasonable. The AFP had invited the AFPA’s comments on staffing levels in August and discussions had already taken place between the AFP, the department and the association on the matter. Discussions were continuing between all parties.

Chief Superintendent Bunt said the officer who completed his secondment to Christmas Island on December 13 would be replaced either by another person or by extending his service there until a replacement could be arranged.

He said that should an emergency situation arise the AFP was in a position to send reinforcements.

“We have put [extra] police on the island before at short notice when the situation required it,” he said. “We are in a position to assist police on the island if anything does happen. The AFPA is not the only organisation concerned for the welfare of AFP members,” he said.

Police patrol cars may be issued with AIDS kits

The Australian Federal Police industrial relations division will put a proposal to the AFP Commissioner, Mr Grey, for the issue of AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) kits to all operational police vehicles.

A report prepared by the division after consultation with the Australian Federal Police Association included the recommendation for the kits, to give police additional security against not only AIDS but other contagious diseases such as Hepatitis B.

Chief Superintendent Alex Bunt, the commander of the industrial division, said the report also recommended that a formal education program be established to complement programs already run by police surgeons in the ACT during national training courses.

Some emergency vehicles were equipped with gloves, antiseptic foam and face masks earlier this year and, in July, the provision of those items was extended. Free vaccinations against Hepatitis B have been available to AFP members for some time.

Chief Superintendent Bunt estimated the cost of equipping vehicles with the kits would be “considerably cheaper” than the $20,000 figure suggested by the Australian Federal Police Association.

New head ‘no stranger’

By KEITH GOSMAN, Police Reporter

Chief Inspector Bunt

Chief Inspector Alex Bunt says that he does not intend to institute any radical changes at Belconnen police station.

Inspector Bunt, a former member of the Commonwealth Police, took up his new duties yesterday as the officer-in charge of the station.

He is the first former senior Commonwealth Police officer to take command of a former ACT Police station under the Australian Federal Police.

Given the traditional rivalry between the two former forces, Inspector Bunt said his reception had been very good.

“There has certainly been no indication to me of any resentment” he said “If there is any resentment, I certainly will do my best to overcome it”.

Inspector Bunt joined the Commonwealth Police in 1974 after reaching the rank of sergeant in the NSW Police. He attended a senior officer’s course run by the FBI in 1974 and has a Diploma of Criminology from the University, of Sydney.

He is studying for a law degree

through Macquarie University. His last position in the Commonwealth Police was officer-in-charge of the currency squad in Melbourne.

On his new position, Inspector Bunt said, “I have had a lot of experience in the general policing area. I am not a stranger to these parts”.

While in the NSW Police, he was stationed at Cooma between 1964 and 1966, and he relieved at Captains Flat and Michelago.

“I propose to do everything I can to ensure that the high standard of policing in the ACT is maintained”, he said. “The ACT has a very good reputation and while I am at Belconnen I will work to ensure that our good relations are maintained with the community. I do not plan to make any radical changes which will disturb the relationship between the police and the community. In fact, I will try to cement these relations”.

He sees his new job as a challenge and intends to move around the area and attend local meetings.

IN BRIEF

Police post

MELBOURNE: Inspector Alex Bunt, of the Commonwealth Police Force, formerly of Sydney, has been appointed chief of the currency squad in Melbourne. He will succeed Inspector V. W. Anderson, who is to be promoted to headquarters in Melbourne.