FAREWELL GIFTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20128, 23 December 1939, Page 4

FAREWELL GIFTS

FIRST ECHELON MEN PRESENTATIONS MADE PROSPECT OF SERVICE N.Z.E.F. TRADITIONS Appreciation of the action of those men who have answered the call of service as volunteers, and who are to face the hazards of overseas service within the next month, has found expression in a number of complimentary gatherings held during the past few days in Gisborne. Several members of the First Echelon of the Second New Zealand Division have been the recipients of presentations from their friends and fellow-employees in business, and have been showered wfith expressions of goodwill and admiration.

His lengthy association with the training of territorials, and the recognition given him in the list of appointments in the First Echelon were referred to by speakers at a gathering held in honour of Major A. Blackburn at the residence of Mr. K. A. Woodward, at which between 20 and 30 of Major Blackburn’s close friends took the opportunity of wishing him Godspeed and success in his military career. It was pointed out by speakers that the guest of the evening had been among the first to accept the responsibilities of service, and that his example should be of the utmost value. Tribute to Service Comrades The presentation to Major Blackburn took the form of a sleeping-bag specially designed for active service conditions. In his acknowledgment of the gift, and of the good wishes expressed on behalf of the gathering, he referred to the excellent spirit whicn pervaded the First Echelon, and stated that he felt it an honour to serve with a force so deeply imbued with a determination to, serve with credit to the Dominion. Members of the Herald staff last evening offered their congratulations to the manager. Major A. S. Muir, a veteran of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, who has undertaken duties in connection with the transport of troops abroad. On behalf of the staff the editor, Mr. H. -H. Barker, handed to Major Muir a case of pipes and other smoker’s requisites, and remarked upon the sacrifice which the guest of the gathering had made in responding to the opportunity for renewed service to his country. He added an expression of the staff’s best wishes, and their hope that it would not be long before they would have the opportunity of welcoming him back to his old sphere. Active. Service Days Again

Major Muir responded briefly, stating that he felt that the service he was undertaking did not warrant such recognition as it had received from his fellow employees. He was not undertaking active service in the fuller sense, he explained, and the period of his appointment was as yet indefinite. Nevertheless, he had felt that he could not turn down the chance that had been offered to serve as part of the background of the new expeditionary force, and he appreciated keenly the good wishes extended to him.

Two recruits from the staff of the Chief Post Office, Gisborne, also were farewelled by fellow employees on Thursday evening at a gathering at which Mr. A. M. Robertson, chief postmaster, presided. The guests were Messrs. L. A. J. Osmond and J. S. Kerr, who have been accepted for service with the Divisional Base Post Office. They will proceed to Trentham next week, and will not havS the opportunity to return to Gisborne, since the departure of the First Echelon is fixed for early in January. Familiar Duties Ahead Mr. A. M. Robertson presented the departing staff members with handsome shaving outfits, and upheld the example which Messrs. Osmond and Kerr had given, in undertaking service with the forces. They would be much missed from their respective posts in the department, he said, but they would be carrying on the traditions of the Post and Telegraph service in the work they were undertaking. All who knew their work would agree that they would capably uphold the traditions.

The recipients of the presentations made suitable acknowledgments, and both referred to the fact that their services were to be made use of in a sphere yi which they could best use their civilian training.