AFTER 42 YEARS’ SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 285, 26 August 1921, Page 6

AFTER 42 YEARS’ SERVICE

FAREWELL TO P. AND T. STORES ' CONTROLLER.

On Wednesday evening officers of the 'Stores Branch of the Post and Telegraph Department assembled in full force to officially farewell Mr. C. B. Mann, who has recently retired from the position of Controller of Stores and from the Department's service. Tho gathering took the form of a smoke concert in the Scot/tish Hall. Mr. C; H. Nicholls, ActingController of Stores, was in the chair. Among-the invited guests were Mr. R. B. Morris, Secretary of the Department, Mr. A. T. Markman, First Assistant Secretary, Mr. G. M'Namara, Second Assistant Secretary, and Mr. H. A. R. Huggins, Controller of Accounts. Apologias .for their absence were received from, among others, the Hon. J. G. Coates, Postmaster-General, Mr. W. R. Morris, Public Service Commissioner (formerly Secretary of the Post and Telegraph De•partment), Mr. E. A. Shrimptqn, Chief Telegraph Engineer, Mr. A. Gibbs, Deputy Chief Telegraph Engineer, and Mr. J. Laurenson, Chief Inspector. Mr. Morris,’in proposing Mr. Mann’s health, stated that Mr. Mann joined the service on September 18/9, ft 3 ft cadet in the Telegraph Learners’ School nt Wellington i Shortly afterwards he w<is transferred to the store. In 1895 he was appointed Assistant Storekeeper, and, on the retirement of Mr. Black in 1909, he was promoted to take charge of the ’ stores. Mr. Morris said that Mr. Mann was voluntarily retiring on superannuation after 42 years’ service, and that he loft the Deportment with a. record of which any officer might be proud. Mr. Mann had never spared himself in the Department's interests, and had carried out tho'responsible and intricate duties of his office very satisfactorily. During the war period, when supplies wero difficult to obtain, . Mr. Mann had shown excellent judgment in providing for the maintenance of stocks. Mr. Morris referred also to Mr. Mann s happy and obliging disposition, winch had earned for him the liking and esteem of his fellow officers. From the officers of the Stores Branch, ho presented to Mr. Mann an enlarged photograph of the staff and a pair of field-sflasses; from the officers of the Department’s workshops, a set of carvers; and from officers of the General Post Office an electric table lamp'.. Tn handing over the articles, Mr. Morris expressed the hearty wishes of all officers that Mr. Mann would enjoy good health and long be spared to enjoy his well-earned leisure. ' Mr. Markman also referred, in eulogistic terms, to Mr. Mann’s departmental record, and to the esteem in which he was held by his brother officers. Mr. Mann, in replying, thanked the officers of the Stores Branch for their loyalty, and for the very satisfactory manner in which they had supported him. He gave some particulars or me work of the branch, and referred to the particular difficulties of the war period, when stores were in short supply and prices we.re high. The toast of the Department was proposed by Mr. J. J- Connor, of the Stores Branch,' and was replied to by Mr. Morris. Mr. Morris explained that Hie increase in cost of administering the Department was mainly accounted for by the payment to officers of a cost-of-living bonus. He stated that the Department was engaged in endeavouring to make « substantial reduction in expenditure, a reduction rendered necessary by the generally unfavourable financial conditions. He stated that a fairly large number of officers were taking advantage of their right to retire on superannuation, and that, in consequence, there would shortly be a number of vacancies in higher positions. Tho toast of "Stores Branch" was proposed by Mr. Huggins, who referred to the importance of the duties of the branch and the responsibilities of its officers. The response was made by Mr. Nicholls. who gave some interesting figures indicating the extent of the growth of the branch. Mr. F. Wilton, of the Stores Branch, proposed "Other Branches,” and the response was made by representatives of the offices of the Secretary. Chief Telegraph Engineer, and the Controller of Accounts.

-The toart of “The Ladies” was proposed bv Mr. M'A rille, and responded to by Mr. F. Snlherlnnd.

During the evening vocal items wore contribntod te,’ Mr. Fraser Thomson. Mr. C. Moore, Mr. K. Tahiwi, and Mr. J. S. Connell.