RETIRING MESSENGERS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1878, 11 October 1913, Page 5

RETIRING MESSENGERS.

'FAREWELL SMOKE CONCERT,

{ 'At Godber's Rfooms, Oourtenay -JPlaoo last evening, a complimentary Bmoke ooncert was tendered to tho retiring messengers and watchmen of the New-Zealand Civil Service by other messengers in tho Government's employ. Capt. W. EL Hennah presided. Apologies jfor absence were received from the Prime Minister (the Hon. W t F. Mas- > 6ey)—who, in a short letter to the chairman, oonveyed his very bets wishes to tho retiring servants —tho Hon. H. D. Bell. Mr. J. Hislop (tho Under-Secre-tary), and from heads of Departments. Mr. F. A. Death proposed the toast (of "Our Guests," and wished the retiring messengers and watchmen every Suocess in their future lifo.

Mr. Kerr, who responded, said that Jt was well known that a good many of "the messengers wero some of tho original pidneers of the colony. He mentioned that ho was ono of tho earliest Bettlers. Ho referred briefly to the learly days, and in conclusion ho heartily thanked'the members of Parliament, and Especially the present Government,' for fill they had done for the messengers. • Mr. Hunter ,also gave his reminiscences of the trials of tho early days. Mr. T. Rpdmond, who claimed to be Ifche oldest Ministers' messenger in the feervico, told a very interesting story of ilia work under five Governments. ' 1 . ,Mr. Spiers and Mr. A. Willby also 'dealt with the experiences which they had .had during their employment as .Government messengers. ■ , i Mr. A. Orr told an interesting tale tof the trials of the drivers in the early Idayß of Wellington. The speaker went ion to express the opinion that a gathering lik<» the present one should be hold annually. • The toast of "Tho Chief Messenger, !Mt. Death," was proposed by the chairbiaji, and responded to by Mr. Death. Sir. Kerr moved that a message of fepp'reciation bo forwarded to tho Hon. H. D. Bell for the good lie had.done for the messengers in the matter of .pensions. . , Mr: Spieira seconded the _ motion, iwhich -was carried by acclamation. Sir Joseph Ward, who arrived towards the end l of the proceedings, said that he had a very warm regard for all the messengers, and ho wished to pay .p, farewell tribute to those who were Retiring. The messengers of the country had been a very valuable set of men, and he wiAed them all,a pleasant and peaoeful eventide.' ' A motion was carried at the_ conclusion of ■ tho proceedings - affirming tho iprinciplo of making tho gathering an ijannual affair. 7 _ ! ; Messrs. Donaldson, Kerr, Pritchard, IJlodgers,, and Ca-shman provided l entertaining musical items.' .