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New Mac Source - 1913

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  • New Mac Source - 1913

    I have already posted this on JTRForums.

    Arguably it backs the revisionist theory of Macnaghten as a man obsessed with the Ripper case, as having renowned powers of recall, of being close to his second daguhter (if it is Crhuistabel as she is here un-named) and of being the temperamental [and personality] opposite of Sir Robert Anderson.


    ‘West Gippsland Gazette’ 2nd Sept 1913

    SIR M. MACNAGHTEN

    25 YEARS IN LONDON POLICE.

    ASSISTANT
    COMMISSIONER.

    'Sir Melville Macnaghten, Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police on Saturday retired after nearly twenty-five years service (said 'Lloyd's News' June 3rd).

    In the afternoon there was an assembly of detective officers from all parts of the metropolis, including Mr. Bingham, the Chief Constable, superintendents McCarthy and Quinn, Chief Inspectors Ward, Wensley, and Fowler, and most of the divisional detective inspectors at Scotland Yard, to witness the presentation to Sir Melville a handsome, silver loving-cup. Lady Macnaghten, who was accompanied by her daughter, was presented with a handsome bouquet.

    The Chief Constable, in handing the cup to Sir Melville, expressed the regret which was felt by all ranks at his retirement. He left with the goodwill of everyone in the service. There was no doubt the hard work he had done was to a great extent the cause of the undermining of his health.

    Mr. Dingham also referred to the marvelous memory of their retiring chief, and pointed out that in dealing with the men under him Sir Melville had always been reluctant to rebuke or reprove any officer unless it was absolutely necessary in the interests of the Force.

    On the cup was inscribed: "To Sir Melville Macnaghten. C.I1, Assistant Commissioner, Criminal Investigation Department, Metropolitan Police, as a token of affection and esteem from the officers having the honor to serve under him. May 31, 1913."

    Accompanying the cup was a volume, handsomely bound :in Russian leather, containing the names of all the officers who had subscribed on the fly-leaf was the following: "Presented to Sir Melville Leslie Macnaghten, C.B., Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police, together with a silver loving-cup, on his retirement after twenty-four years' arduous service, by those who served under him in the C.I. Department, as a mark of their personal esteem and an expression of their hope that he may enjoy many years of happiness and prosperity.”

    Sir Melville, Macnaghten, in acknowledging the gift, referred to his quarter of a century connection with the police. He had a laugh when he said that when “he joined the Force he was told that Scotland Yard was a funny place, that one would he blamed if he did his duty and also blamed if he did not do it.” He regarded himself almost as the detective midwife, because with the exception of Superintendents Quinn and McCarthy he had brought “into the service every officer in the department.” He admitted that he had made mistakes, but was of opinion that the man who never made them never made anything.

    Speaking with considerable emotion, Sir Melville said that when the clock struck twelve that night he would be officially dead. He remarked that owing to the length of his name when at school he was called "Old Mac." In India he was "Young Mac", and whilst at the Yard he was informed that he was known as "Good Old Mac." Had he joined the force six months earlier he might have had a chance of catching Jack the Ripper; and if that individual ever came back again he was afraid Chief Inspector Wensley would give him a bad time in Whitechapel.

    In conclusion, Sir Melville said he had always endeavored to maintain the best traditions of the Yard, and in a voice broken with emotion he sat down with a "God bless you all," amid cheers for "Good old-Mac”.

    Sir Melville Macnaghten, who for some years has been head of the Criminal Investigation Department, is an Irishman by birth. His father was one of the last chairmen of the old East India Company, and his grandfather was at one time Chief Justice of Bengal. After leaving Eton he went to India, and the manner in which he worked during the agrarian disturbances there attracted the attention of Mr. James Munro, then Inspector-General of the Bengal Police, and when Mr. Munro became Chief Commissioner in London, in 1889, he appointed Sir Melville assistant chief constable. Soon after he became Chief Constable, and later Assistant Commissioner. His faith in the staff under him was wholehearted, and not a man in the service would refuse to "extend" himself to please his chief.'
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