AFTER TWENTY-FIVE YEARS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2121, 13 April 1914, Page 7

AFTER TWENTY-FIVE YEARS

OLD HAJtSQtJB, BOAED J3MPLOYEE RETIRES. At tho presentation to Mr. Thomas Blowers, who rotir&d from the position of Harbaui- Board storeman in the J Customs examinatwii shed on Thursday after twcnt<Hiv© yeats' 'service with tho' Board, Mr. R. Flotdier, speaking on beltftif of the Custouiliquse agents ami Oujtoms officials* said tlmii ho had known Mr. Blowers for t-wenty-seven years, aad hart always found him willing, ttpi'jght, and strietlj- liouost. It was pleasing to Iraow that the public had earns forward on this occasion, raid recognised the skrfiug q-utilities whish Mf. Blowers possessed. Continuing, the speaker said*that Mr. Blowers waa tl«! first man in the board's employ to retire under the rcmiMy4nrtuguratod superannuation fund. Ho went cm to explain the benefits of ifa. fnnd, and pointed out that, although Mr. Blowers had <Mily been a Miteeribef far a short period, lie would draw a pension of £5% per annum, to which the- board had contributed £56. Mr. Fkiteher presented Jlr.' Blswiu's with a- walking stick aiwJ purse of sovcroigrw, Mr. NiqhoJls, on behalf of tho staff, presented Mr. Blowers -with a gold watch, which bore the following inscription : "l*resented to Thotwis Tllowors by the staff of tiro Harbour Bean! on his retirement from service. April 9. 1014." in making the iwesontation, Itr, Nicholas referred to the recipient's sterling <iualiti6s. Those- peopie -having business on tho wharf |sad ulways fottnd M.r. Blowers a β-ritou —st-Taigtit, lionest, and firm. He was always nhriginp;. and was never Icnntvn to have gone back on his wortl. In fact, Ijis word was his bcmtl. Mr. Nicholls also paid n. tribute to the bo.ird's superannuation fund. Boforo couoludihß. Mr. Nseholls (irescuted Mr. Blowers with a caso of pipes, on bohftlf of tho old casual hands m. tlw employ tsf the board.

. Mr. 'A. Paul, aet-ilig-sub-fiollectov of Customs, also spoke. Ht> said thnt Mr. Blowers was. ahvnrs wirtliy of thn confidence ami cstooii) in which he had been held by Customs officials. His assistance to younger men in tlw Custoias was invahi-ablo. After Mr. Blowflrs's health had Iwwi drunk with musicil lionotirs, ho rcphVd, and s-aitl that ho had doue ins best for everybody) nud be believed Utat h<? luid no cnowice -on the wlmrf. Mr. nlowftrs's thankpil one and all for the presents and kimt j-emarl« which had 'boon passed, and said. "1 have only doiw my duty to tho H-a-i-hsur Board a-Ptl its dkiiits," Several other tnasts were hoivnvifcd hcffiro the EntlMirii-i-g was brought to ,i close.