CITIZENS HONOURED

Chronicle (Levin), 13 May 1948, Page 4

CITIZENS HONOURED

Fine Tributes Paid to Miss Bowen And Mr. Parker Over 400 citizens, representing most sections of the town, gathered in the Century- Hali, Levin on Tuesday night, to show their appreciation of the valuable service rendered by two past members of the. Levin Borough Council, who haye rendered long and untiring service to the cpmmunity. Theyj Were Miss H. E. Bowen and Mr. F. j E. Parker. Both resigned frnm office just prior to the last munici-, pal election, Miss Bowen after 12-^ years, and Mr. Parker after 34; years on the council. To these two citizens much cre'dit is due for the able manner in Which' they. .carried • out their duties and the large amount of their pri- : vate time they " devote to acceler- ■ ating the progress of the borough.' : It is typical of their nature that' I they were content to slip quietly j Iput of the public position to which; Ithey had devoted their lives and it' I is pleasin'g to note that such ser,vice did not pass unrecognised. ; Miss Bowen was recentiy the vic-i tim of an unfortunate accideni;, which was foilowed by a serious illpess and for a long time she was greatly missed f by the many organisations to which she gives her support. It js also pleasing to note that she has once again regained her health. One of the many projects in which Mr. Parker was actively engaged, was the development of Piayford Park, and it is to be hoped that his ambitions in this respect , will soon be realised. I. At the social on Tuesday night? the Mayor, Mr. H. B. Burdekin, presided, and various items by local artists assisted in making it a very pleasant evening. Mr. Burdekin opened the proceedings with a warm welcome to the two guests and paid a fitting . tribute to their work. I Miss Bowen's service as post.mistress of Levin, 46 years ago wus |referred to by the next speaker, iMr. D. S. McKenzie. • The "post office then, he said was on a site Idiagonally opposite to where the j present building stands. Miss .Bowen was always generous in her support of any movement of benefit to the young town and had can-* itinued to actively concern herself [With its development and expanjsion until the present day. In con:clusion, he complimented her on ;her recovery from her recent very .sprious illness. . HfHe j had .alsp jknown' 4he other glie'st, Mr% F.' E. 'Parker, 'for a very long ,time, continued the speakei and he now' Wished ? to tender his thanks as a citizen and a ratepayei to the valuable service Mr. Parkei had rendered the borough. Mr. Parker had always been a fearless and outspoken councillor, he added. He.had come to Levin in 1909 and had been associated with Mr. Parker ever since, said Mr. J. Harvey. He took pleasure in expressing his appreciation of the -work of both guests during their long service as councfilors. Past Mayor's Tribute A past Mayor of Levn, Mr. H. A. Phillips, expressed his very great ,pjegsurp ut being qble to assist at 'the gathering. Pgying a compliment to Mrs. Parker, he said that for many years she had had t6 sacrifice the company of her husiband while he was out atten'ding meetings. Mr, Parher had been a very old friend and had often ibeen called the "man on the counjcil." He had always stood up to his principles, was fair minded in every way and knew well how to give and take. A man with a capacity for work, he never spared himself. Referring to Miss Bowen, Mr. Phllips 'described her as "the women's champion" of Levin, always working or visiting someone, particularly the elderly people. He made particular reference to Miss Bowen's service as Mayoress during his term of office as Mayor and he expressed his thanks for the assistance she had rendered, In conclusion Mr.- Phillips said that he hoped that others would gain mspiration from the meeting that night and the work of the two

guests and come forward and assist m the management of the town from which he could assure them there was a great deal of enjoyment and satisfaction obtainable. On behalf of the women of the town, Mrs. Blenkhorn said she knew of no one who had done more for Pt?e |i?wn Hian Miss Bowen during the time of the depression. She belonged to every women's organlsation in the town and had given much without any thought of herself. Both guests were not afraid to voice their opinions and had thus had the confidence of the electors. A high tribute to the work of the two guests was paid by Mr. c. S, Keedwell who made reference to the earjy days of Levin and the sterling qualities- -of both Miss Bowen ana Mr. Pkrker. North Island organiser for the Dr. Barnardo Homes, Mrs. Dut-i ton, was also present, After out-i mmg Miss Bowen's long association with the , organisation the speaker thankecrher for her loyal support and generous assistance to the caiise, The final speaker, Mr. H. B. Burdekm, testified to the loyal service rendered by the two guests- during th» wtel'ro °5, offlce as May°r ot uie town and presented Miss Bowen with a fireside chair with a hohaif7 ®EEraved silver P^te on behalf of the people of Levin. To Pl'esentecl iifif l i fireside chairs, together npn E/r6 n as,e and a f ountain pen for Mr. Parker. Replyingi Mr. F. E. Parker voiced 1 his appreciation of the gesture hat night and the numbers SSf i' e ^ade reference to the goo\d name of Levin and the part 1

played by all in bringing the town to its present high position. Referring to the proposed development of Piayford Park, he said that it would be an undoubted asset to Levin. On behalf of Mrs. Parker and himself he thanked the various speakers for their flattering remarks and for the gifts. Miss Bpwen, in her reply, also thanked the speakers and expressed her appreciation of the gift, She went on to congratulate Mr. Parker for his work for the borough. Levin, she said was very fortunate in the men who had administered the borough in the early days. She had come to Levin in 1892 when there were only five small shops, a hotel and the post office and had watched it grow to its present size. During the evening items were given by the following: Miss Faye Kirkbeck, solo; Miss C. Quinn, elocution; _ and Messrs. J. W. Hayfield, violin; Boyce, clarinet; and -( H. L. J. Jenkins, piano. The evening was brought to a'1 close after a delightful supper had been served.