A CONVIVIAL GATHERING

Chronicle (Levin), 19 October 1946, Page 2

A CONVIVIAL GATHERING

FAREWELL TO MR. AND MR§. BERRY The spacious dining room at the Railway Hotel on Thursday night was the scene of a bright party, wlien a most enjoyable evening was spent, the occasion being a- farewell to Mr. and Mrs. W. K. Berry, who leave shortly to take up residence at Waipukurau, Mr. Berry having received promotion from the Otaki Post Office to that town. The room was gaily and attractively decorated with choice ftowers, the handiwork of ladies interested. During the evening items and dancing was freely indulged in, songs of a pleasing nature being rendered, and a convivial time-in general spent. The supper, thanks to Mr. Fitzgerald, organiser of the function, and his staff:, was an elaborate one. There was , an abundance of good things and after full justice had been done dancing, etc., was enjoyed. - During the course of the evening Mr. H. G. Wylie, said thatrthey had met to say farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Berry, who were leaving Otaki shortly. All, he said, were very sorry to know that they were leaving, and although they had not been in Otaki for any length >of fcime they had endeared themselves to many, and at the same time proved a great help to the community in general. They had proved very worthy citizens and it • was pleasing to know that Mr/ Berry wa's leaving on promotion. Congratulations were offered, but at the same time Mr. Wylie admitted that all were losing a friend, in fact he was regarded as a brother. Reference was made to the multifarious Government duties carried out by Mr. Berry, and also to the fine work accomplished by Mr. Wilcox, who was the previous postmaster. He considered that postmasters earned every penny of their salary and more, they being at the beck and call of all. It was the desire of those present to show appreciation of Mr. Berry's services, and in asking Mr. and Mrs. Berry to accept two fireside chairs, hoped they would live long to enjoy their comfort, and that they would spend many pleasant evenings in winter sitting in them in front of a cosy pre. " Thanks were accorded Mr. Fitzgerald and his staff for the great amount of labour and time put in to make tlie function a sticcess-. (Applause) . . . Mr. T. Q'Ro.uarko. .stqted tb^.Jt gave him pleasure to also speak on behalf of those present, especially as he had known Mr. and Mrs. Berry for some time. They were worthy citizens and he knew that Mr. Berry had carried out his many irduous duties in a very capable manner. Mr. Berry had done excellent work and deserved promotion. During his residence in Otaki he had encountered a difficult time, the war giving much extra work. Mr. Berry had given good service and was worthy of the best wishes if the residents of Otaki. Besides carrying out his duties efficiently he had proved very popular, and he hoped that Mr. Berry would enjoy his -stay in Waipukurau. Mr. O'Rourke spoke freely ono the good work done by Mr. Berry for the farming community. (Applause) . Mr. Berry, who was received with applause, stated that when he had lcft his last station he was not 'so embarrassed as on the present occasion. He felt that many did not appreciate the many and varied ;crvices rendered by Government oflicials. The war years had given •hem a good deal of extra work, out hc was pleased to know that all civil servants had capably carried out their duties, doing so in a manner that did them credit. He admitted that a postmaster's duties were hard. He had so many to cater for, but at the same time there was the humorous side ' to many of the appeals made. He had dways endeavoured to do what was right towards his employer, which meant at times that an ordinary individual went aiway dissatisfied. He had had 36 years with the postal department, during which tipie he had never shown favouritism., but had done his best to carry out his : duty. Mr. Berry spoke of the labaur ■ entailed by depleted staffs, but at the same time wished to p^y a tribute to those who had carried out their duties under trying circumstances. During his term at Ohakune he had never had' a cross word with anyone. A tribute "was , paid to - his staff and the help he ; had secured from Mrs. Berry, who j had been the means of making his work iighter. A tribute was- also I paid to Mr. Fitzgerald and his .staff who had done so much towards the evening's entertainment. .• 'fle appreciated all that they had done and also the work of other.s/ He stated that Mrs. Berry was. loath to leave Otaki and would be pleased to settle there, especially as. they both had . made sucli wonderful friends. (Applause). "For They are Jolly Gpod Fellows" a'rid ' cheers followed, ' after which dancing, singing, ~ etc., 'was resumed. Mr. and Mrs. Berry expect to remain in Otaki till the end of this m'onth.