VALEDICTORY SOCIAL

Chronicle (Levin), 20 May 1946, Page 3

VALEDICTORY SOCIAL

LARGELY.-ATTENDED GATHERING Three .of Shannon's most prominent and highly respected citizens were extended a civic farewell in the Druids' Hall- on Thursday evening. They were the retiring postmaster, Mr. W-. H. Behrens, and Mrs. Behrens and Sister WilliS, who for eight years has attended the ills of the people of Shannon and disorict as district nurse. Apart from the large number- of Shannon citizens who gathered to bid farewell to these well-known people, there were- a number of visitors. Among those present were Mr. A. J. Phillipps, managing-sec-j-ctary of the Palmerston North Iiospital Board, Mr. M. R. Aldridge, chief postmaster, of Palmerston North and Mr.,L. A. Whitliam, postmaster, of Levin. An apology was reccived from Mr. L. G. Lowry, M.P., and Mrs. Lowry. Other visitors present were Misses Iris Sutherland, Spinsley, McDonnald, E. Eyre and Messrs. Olsen, Hall and Robmson, of Palmerston North, Mr. C. Sherriffs, of Longburn, Messrs. Ogier, Harrison and Armstrong, of Levin, Miss Saunders, Masterton, and Miss Rolfe of Wellington. The earlier part of the evening was taken up with dancmg and at 8.45 the announcement of the arrival of the guests of honour was greeted with applause and musicai honours. Mr. and Mrs. Behrens were accompanied into the hall by Mr. Aldridge and Mr. Whitham, while Sister Willis had as her escorts, Mr. Phillips, Sister Adkin and Sister McDonnald. Prior to the addresses, items were rendered by Miss Iris Sutherland, Mr. Sherriffs, Messrs. Richard and Bruce Lind and Garry McEwan and Bryan Morrison. The accompanists were Miss E. Eyre and Mrs. R. R. Lind. In his remarks, the Mayor (Mr. R. E. Downes) stated that for eight years Sister Willis had served the population of the district faithfully and untiringly as district nurse, and had done an outstanding job for the cornmunity. He hoped that in her new position as sister in charge of the Awapuni Hospital she would have more spare time than she had had in Shannon. Mr. Downes went on to state that Mr. Behrens, in his six years as postmaster in Shannon-, had had a very hard and trying time, especially during the war years, when he was burdened with the extra duties of rationing and fuel controllef in this district. The Mayor stated that Mr. Behrens had always been very fair in his decisions, and it was due to this fairness that he had become one of the most popular citizens of Shannon. He expressed the hope that Mr. and Mrs. Behrens would have a long and happy retirement, and that Sister Willis would have every success in her new position and thanked them both for a job well done. The next speaker was Mr. M. R. Aldridge, who, as chief postmaster at Palmerston North, said he could speak officially in saying that Mr. Behrens had a record with the department of which to be very proud indeed. Mr. Aldridge then read a letter from Mr. H. M. Patrick, the Director-General of the P. and T. Department, who expressed appreciation of Mr. Behrens' 40 years of service with the department. The letter stated that he had joined the service in July, 1906, and through his high standard of efficiency and service he had earned the esteem of the public and the department alike. The DirectorGeneral expressed the hope that Mr. Behrens' health would improve, and wished both Mr. and Mrs., Behrens many years of happy retirement. Mr. Aldridge went on to say that he and Mr. Behrens were old friends, and for a number of years were in the army together, spending some time in the same unit in World War I. Mr. Aldridge remarked on the number of tasks and the hard work Mr. Behrens had had during his term at Shannon, and on the fair and just manner in which he had carried them out. He also mentioned the outstanding results in War Loans and National Savings achieved by Mr. Behrens in Shannon. The speaker wished Mr. and Mrs. Behrens the best of luck and every happiness in their well-earned retirement. Mr. Phillipps, of the Hospital Board, followed and expressed pleasure at being associated with the farewell to Sister Willis and took the opportunity to remark on the splendid work done by the district nurses in the country areas. Mr. Phillipps mentioned that Shannon was the first town in the board's area to have a district nurse, and the town had been very fortunate in the nurses which had been stationed there. Sister Willis has worked unselfishly for long hours in a town where there was no doctor, and the nurse had a great responsibility. He stated that the parents of school children, the Maori people and those under hospital after-care- all knew the excellent work done by Sister Willis. Mr. Fhillipps also spoke of the work done ip connection with the E.P.S. organisation and other war jobs carried out by Miss Willis. He mentioned that in Sister McDonnald, who will be replacing Miss Willis, the public of Shannon would have a good successor to their retiring -nurse and asked for the co-opera-

tion of the people. Mr. Phillipps wished Sister Willis every' success in her new position. On behalf of the Returned Services Association, the pr'esident (Mr. S. W. Barber) stated that it was a great pleasure to represent the association on this occasion. Mr. Barber spoke in high praise of the work done by Sister Willis, who had endeared herself to all in the district by the long hours and the hard work she had done for the benefit of the> sick. He also wished Miss Willis every success in her new position. Speaking of Mr: Behrens, Mr. Barber said that he had always oeen a willing worker in the R.S.A, and had from time to time held executive positions in the Shannon branch. As postmaster, he had carried out his duties fairly and efficiently, and had always met everyone with a smile. Mr. Barber wished Mr. and Mrs. Behrens every happiness in their new home. The postmaster of Levin (Mr. Whitham) stated that he was pleased to be present to bid farewell to Mr. Behrens, who was an old friend; they had worked together in Christchurch for a number of years. At this stage Mr, Whitham reminded Mr. Behrens of a number of humorous incidents they had experienced together in their younger days. Mr. McNeil, on behalf of Federated Farmers, was the next speaker and he also paid tribute to the' fme work done by Sister Willis and Mr. Behrens. Mr. McNeil mentioned the friendly atmosphere of the Shannon Post Oflice and the influence Mr. Behrens' personality had on the staff. On behalf of the farming cornmunity, Mr. McNeil wished Sister Willis success and Mr. and Mrs. Behrens a happy time in retirement in Christchurch. Mr." R. R. Lind followed Mr. McNeil and on behalf of the Shan--non sub-centre of the Red Cross spoke on the assistance given the organisation b'y Miss Willis ; also ; the work done by Mr. Behrens in j his position on the advisory com- ; mittee. Both had willingly and ably given their services in sponsoring the movement in Shannon, f Mr. Lind wished the guests of hon- | our the very best in their future jlives. ' Mr. T. Kohika, on behalf of the I Maori people, stated that: he was ' grateful for the opportunity to i speak 'at the farewell to two good friends of the Maori people. Mr. Kohika said that owing to a bereavement in the tribe there was not as many of the Maori people, ■present as would otherwise have been. He mentioned the kind and willing work done by Sister Willis among the Maori people and also the kindness shown by Mr. Behrens. J Both Mr. and Mrs. Behrens andi Sister Willis would leave the district j taking the spirit of the Maori } people with them, said Mr. Kohika, j The next speaker was Mr. J. D. Campbell, who expressed the opinion of all of the civil servants when he stated that through sheer ability Mr. Behrens had reached the position of postmaster. He expressed thanks to Mr. Behrens j for the assistance he had given i during his term in Shannon. To) Sister Willis, Mr. Campbell stated j he was pleased to see that her new) position would give her an easier i time than she had experienced! during the past four of five years. j He said that Miss Willis would be missed by the doctor as well as the public, as her ability had always been a great asset to the visiting doctor. Mr. Campbell mentioned that thete were times when Miss Willis was out visiting the sick when she was ill herself, and it was through her devotion to duty that she had endeared herself to all who knew her. At this stage the Mayor asked Sister Willis to accept a radio set and a cheque and Mr. and Mrs. Behrens to accept a cheque as a small mark of appreciation from the people of Shannon and district for the outstanding service they had given in their respective positions. Mr. Kohika also made a presentation on behalf of the Maori people to Miss Willis. In her brief but fitting repiy, Miss Willis thanked everyone for their kindness and expressed pleasure at being back among her many friends in Shannon. Replying on . behalf of Mrs. Behrens and himself, Mr. Behrens thanked the various speakers for their kind remarks, and mentioned that all the credit sh'ould not go to him for his duties as postmaster as it would not have been possible were it not for the co-op.er-ation given him by his wife and the effieient staff he had in the Shannon Post Office. Mr. Behrens paid tribute to the able manner in which his staff had carried out their duties during the dark days of 193945. He also mentioned the fine work done by the women members of the staff. Speaking of the oil fuel problem, Mr. Behrens said that it had been trying at times, but he had always tried to be fair. He thanked all for the many kindnesses shown Mrs. Behrens _ and himself during their happy stay in Shannon, and expressed a wish that all of their old friends would visit them in their new home at Christchurch. Mr. J. T. Bovis efficiently carried out the duties of M.G. and dancing continued until an early hour to the music of the Shannon orchestra. 1