VALEDICTORY.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18403, 9 June 1925, Page 7

VALEDICTORY.

PRESENTATION TO MR-J. E.

BROADFOOT.

A pleasant {unction took piece in the mail room at tho Cliristchurch Post Office yesterday, when the late Chief Postmaster, Mr J. E. Broadfoot, who has retired from the Department on superannuation, was met by.tho staff of theChristchurch Post and Telegraph Offices and given a hearty send-off. The chair was taken by Mr O. J. Wright, accountant, of the Savings Bank and Money Order branch. Mr Wright stated that it was n sad duty to say good-bye to Mr Broadfoot on behalf of the Post and Teloaraph officers of Cliristchurch. Mr Broadfoot had reached tho end of his period of service, but not tho end of nis iieriod of usefulness, and was retiring voluntarily. The regret at his retirement was general in the Department. His relations with tho staff had been the most cordial and intimate. After 37 years' senvice the severance of his staff relations must bo sx severe break. Ho was giving up wha,t was his life work, but he would find opportunities for service in other spheres whiph he understood Mr Broadfoot was about to enter. The Chief Postmaster's duties were often odious to him, especially when disciplinary measures had to be applied, but the Christchurch district was commendably clean, owinc; to tho vigilance of tho chief, and his popularity had survived, despite the seemingly harsh measures he had sometimes to take. He had joined the service in 1888 as a telegraph, messenger,.and had had very wide experience on both thi telegraph and postal sides. He wished him and Mrs Broadfoot on behalf of the staff tho very best of health and success in his new sphere, and handed him a fine pair of binoculars. Mr D. E. Parton, on behalf of the engineering branch, said he was sorry to ha.ve to say good-hje to Mr Broadfoot, but not sorry for the opportunity to sav how much he appreciated him as a fine, efficient officer of the Department.

Mr A. H. Shanks, on behalf bf the telegraph staff. Mr S. UBrooker, of the parcels Branch, Mr H. E. Duff and Mr P. P. Stevens, of the mail-room, also spoke of Mr Broadfoot's fine record, of service, of his organising ability, and his work in connexion with rural mails. He had never spared himself, and was to the staff the bestknown ppstmaster in the Canterbury district.

Mr Broadfoot. replying;, said _;bhe break would be a great one. Sometimes he almost thought he owned the Post Office. His policy had always been a policv of service, which was at times a very difficult one. If at times he had seemed liard, they would all recognise the wisdom of forestalling any regrettable incident. The success of tho Christenurch district was due to the hapny and contented staff. It. was the staff that did the work. He was pleased to say ho knew every officer in the district, and they all appreciated a chat and humanness. He had never found the second party necessary to make a quarrel. His services in the Department had taken him into all departments except the telegraph engineering branch, and long service was necessary to get the points of his job. He felt he was still learning. Hisieasons for giving up were considerations of Mrs Broadfoot's health and their desire to get back to Auckland. As a controlling officer he had always tried to play the •game.. He went into his retirement after what had been to him a. lifo of heavy strain not unmixed with pleasure. Ho expected to take up, local body work in .Auckland. He" again thanked them for the field-glasses,: which he was sure Mrs Broadfoot and himself would find great use lor in Auckland. . ' "Department's Appreciation. Before proceeding south by the midday express for Timaru yesterday, Mr Broadfoot received, the following telegram from Mr A. Markman, secretary of the Department:—"Dear Sir,—ln I continuation of my memorandum of April Ist last notifying you lof your retirement, I now take the opportunity of expressing to you the Department's appreciation of., the excellent services you have rendered during your official careei of over 5g years. Your duties have covered a wide, sphere, and the important .executive .-position's you have from time to time been called upon to nil indicate clearly the confidence which . your - zeal and ability have inspired. On your appointment as Chief ; Postmaster, Cnristchurch, in December, 1922, you attained one of the highest positions in the Department, and the manner in which you have carried out .the duties of that important post has been most gratifying. I trttst that in your retirement. you will have good -health and many.years of useful; life in which to enjoy your pension." .