RETIRING POSTMASTER.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 864, 9 July 1910, Page 3

RETIRING POSTMASTER.

MR. HUTTON HONOURED. The Masonic Hall was well filled last evoning, when tho Wellington lettercarriers and other members of the postal service met to do honour to Mr. J. A. Hutton, who is retiring'from tho position of chief postmaster at AVcllington. Tho presentation was made by Sir Joseph Ward, as PostmasterGeneral. Mr. Johnston, officer-in-cliarge of the letter-carriers, presided, and many of the principal officers of the Department wore present.

Tho chairman briefly welcomed the Prime Minister, and expressed the esteem of the staff for tho retiring postmaster and Mrs. Hutton.

Sir Joseph Waul, in making the presentation, said that the history of Mr. Hutton might bo called the history of the postal service of this country. He was born in Edinburgh, and first entered the Public Service in Victoria. He came to New Zealand in 1864, and superintended for tho Provincial Government tho opening of the first telegraph line from Invercargill to the Bluff. At that time the only other telegraph lines in this country were a private wire from Port Chalmers to Dunedin, and another from Christchurch to Lyttclton. He had been in charge of numerous offices throughout tho country, and' - had attained to one of the highest positions in the service. Ho had shown fine qualities, a close attention to duty, great enterprise, an anxious desire to do to tho utmost of his ability tho work that fell to his share, and he had thoroughly succeeded.

Tho Prime Minister then read tho following address;—

To J. A. Hutton, Esq. Dear iiii,—Wo, members of the Wellington, letter-carriers' staff, oil the occasion •of your 'approaching' retirement from tho Department, desire your acceptance of tliis address with' its accompanying gifts to your self and. Mrs. Hutton as a slight recognition of the great esteem and respect we hold for you. For forty-six years you have laboured as ail officer of tile Post and Telegraph Department of the Dominion. Of this long period, begun before many of us were born, we know by repute the unfailing courtesy you have alivaya shown both to the public and your brother officers. Since September, 1903, you have been our chief, and from that tiiyo the letter-carriers' staff have found you ever ready and always desirous of helping - iia in our work, and wherever possible,promoting our interests.' We regrot to tho fullest extent that reasons of health'cause'your retirement at the present time, as you have always proved to us a true and steadfast friend, having lived G4 years, of which the last 'i(j havo been spent in activc work in the Department, we know how thoroughly deserved your rest is and earnestly hope that Mrs. Hutton and yourself will yet bo spared many long years in which to enjoy the blessings of good health and complete happiness. We have the honour to be, you obedient servants, J. Johnston, officer in charge (chairman), R. W. l Bell, J. A. Chandler, Basil J. Stokes (secretary).

' The presentation comprised a handsome silver ram's liorri inkstand for' Mr. Hutton and a silver, flower stand for Mrs. Hutton. ,

.Messrs. D. Robertson (secretary to the Department), J. K. Logan, 1.5.0. (Superintendent of Eketric Lines), W. It. Morris.(Assistant Secretary), K. JJ. 'Morris.(lnspector of Savings-Banks and Acting- Postmaster at "Wellington), and G. E. Gannaway (Assistant Postmaster) spolip of Mr. Hutton's personal worth,

and expressed the regret with which his fc-llow. officers parted from him. Jlr. Hutton suitably expressed liis thanks for the' presentation, and his appreciation of the encomiums that had boon pronounced. Ho also thanked tlie donors for their handsome gift to Mrs. Hutton. He acknowledged tho great assistance that hud always been accorded to hint by the officer in charge, and declared that thf: letter-carriers performed their \ duties well, and were a "jolly good set of fellows." Cheers were theii given for Mr. and Mrs. Hutton. 1

Musical items were rendered, and a pleasant evening was spent by those present.

The letter-carriers' address to Mr. Hutton is a fine piece of pen and ink work by Jlr. J. H. ft. Ingram, and includes portraits ■of tho Postmaster(Joneral (Sir Joseph Ward), the secretary to the Department (Mr. D. Robertson), ai:d the recipient, besides several vignettes illustrative of postal work.