Obituaries Australia

Widespread regret was expressed in police and legal circles yesterday at the death of Sergeant Alexander Miller Dennis, one of the best known and most popular members of the police force. For many years he had been a police prosecutor at the Central Police Court.

Sergeant Dennis recently became a patient at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, where he died yesterday morning.

Sergeant Dennis was born at Kempsey in 1884. He became a school teacher and then went to England, where he joined the London Metropolitan Police Force. He resigned in 1908, and became a member of the New South Wales police. He was stationed at the Central Police Court for 10 years before he was promoted and became prosecutor. During his term he handled many of the most important cases that came before the Court. He was a trusted officer.

Sergeant Dennis lived in Ocean-street, Clovelly. His two daughters, Thora and Clara, are well-known amateur swimmers.

"Through the vision and foresight of Sergeant Dennis, hundreds of men occupy responsible positions throughout the State, who might otherwise never have become reputable members of society," was the tribute paid by the council and staff of the Prisoners' Aid Association of New South Wales. The secretary of the association said that Sergeant Dennis had dealt with many young men who had never previously committed an offence. He was able to place them in positions with the aid of the association, and they commenced useful lives among the community.

At the Parramatta Court yesterday Mr. M. C. Nott, S.M., paid a tribute to Sergeant Dennis. "I have known him and regarded him as a personal friend for years," said Mr. Nott. "I can say that he was a most competent and fair officer."

Mr. H. Shephard, on behalf of the legal profession, and Constable O'Leary, on behalf of the police, also paid tributes to Sergeant Dennis.

At the Central Police Court yesterday Mr. Laidlaw, C.S.M., paid a tribute to Sergeant Dennis. Other metropolitan magistrates on the bench with Mr. Laidlaw were Mr. Camphin, Mr. MacDougal, Mr. Shepherd, and Mr. Williams. Mr. Laidlaw referred to Sergeant Dennis' ability as a prosecutor and his extreme fairness. He said that Sergeant Dennis might fairly have been regarded as a model police prosecutor.

Members of the legal profession also paid tribute to Sergeant Dennis, and Superintendent Mackay said that the Commissioner of Police and the force were greatly grieved at the loss of such a capable officer.

At the Water Police Court Mr. William Le Brun Brown (chairman of the Metropolitan Licensing Court), Mr. H. E. McIntosh (legal profession), Inspector Allen, and Sergeant Cummins expressed regret at Sergeant Dennis' death. The funeral will take place this afternoon. The interment will be made at Botany Cemetery.