POPULAR HEAD

Gisborne Times, Volume LXX, Issue 11125, 7 February 1930, Page 2

POPULAR HEAD

FAREWELL TO MR W. FISHER

p.. AND T. STAFF’S TRIBUTES

Mr. AY.. Fisher, Cliief. Postmaster at Gisborne, who has completed 40 years’ service with the Post and Telegraph Department and retires today, was the guest of honor at a latewell function tendered by the local staff on Wednesday evening. Mr Efisher entered the service in 1890 and, prior to coming tO’ Gisborne, on February 4, 1924. lie was postmaster at Lawrence Kaiapoi, and Lyttelton, also chief postmaster at Oaniaru. A.s a token of the esteem in which lie was held . throughout the Gisborne postal district, which’ embraces u large portion ol the Bay of Plenty, Mr Fisher was. presented with a .handsome tea. and coffee, service, suitably inscribed, this-being; a joint gift ham all officers in the district. Mr G. R. Dansoy, superintendent* of llio teieguph department, presided. Air Dun soy opened by pointing out that tlie occasion was both a sail and a. happy one—sad because they wore saying farewell to Mr. Fisher a iid happy 'since they realised the pleasures ahead of him. After Ins retirement, Mr Fisher proposed to take a trip abroad, but ho would be returning again to the Dominion. “It falls on me”, continued Mr Dansov, “to express the regret we all feel at losing such a popular head but that regret is tempered by the reflection that wo shall know him no more officially the friendship which wo so value will not bo broken. I was present at a farewell function in Dunedin many years ago when Mr Fisher was leaving on promotion, and the high opinions expressed bv the officers then we are able to reiterate. Mr Fisher lias been with us for six years, and we know his worth.. It was, ~ with feelings of happiness that we knew then that he was leaving us on promotion and would be with the department still, but now he is leaving the service altogether. The sadness our hearts all feel at the severance we must allow to he outweighed by the knowledge that Mr Fisher is leaving behind the cares and worries of officialdom. Me all can bear testimony to Iho fact that Mr Fisher lias been an able ami conscientious officer anil a considerate leader, and we have to thank him for manifold acts .ol kindness. Throughout the term of his service with tliis office no one has identified himself more with tlie* social side ol our life, and Mr Fisher has been foremost to offer a helping hand when help was needed. In sports and amusements he has always taken a prominent part and dues contributed largely by precept and example to the goodfellowship which characterises the Gisborne and country offices. It js as testimony to the esteem -in which wo hold Air Fisher that we ask him to accept this gift, which ,is accompanied by our best wishes for long life and happiness. I should like him to convey also to Airs Fisher cur best wishes.” Air E. Hulbert, on behalf of the money older and saving bank department, expressed their deep sense of loss in Mr Fisher’s departure. Thtfir chief had lived up to the highest ideals of the service, giving most efficient service to the public and, above aIL justice and fair plav to every member of the staff, traits ot Air.' Fisher’s character which would be remembered for all time and through which his influence would luffing felt. Ah- W. Ogilvie, supervisor of the mail-room and parcels department, referred to the happy and interesting life which lay liefore Mr Fisher. Having put behind him his official position, Air Fisher would hear the opinions of men of the world, and would be commencing bis education in tlie outside world afresh, an experience which should lie ol great interest and pleasure to him. During his. association ■: with the department, Air Fisher must have made .many lasting friendships, and upon bis retirement he would have countless pleasant recollections which required no tangible token of esteem. The present which Mr Fisher was asked to accept was made in order that he might forgot those few unpleasant little occurrences without which no man could pass through life, and the speaker knew that Atr Fisher would bury those recollections. On behalf of Die mail room and parcels department stall. Air Ogilvie wished Air Hud All’s Fisher long life and a happy trip, expressing a hope that they von Id be bene-; tiled in health and in every other way. , - ■

Miss AlacShane, ’suporvlsor pi the; telephone. exchange, spoke feelingly of the appreciation felt by lady meinbors of Mr Fisher’s unfading eourtosy lie having always treated the stuff with the greatest kindness and consideration. Every member of the 'exchange appreciated to ‘the lull Mr Fisher’s efforts for their comfort, and they were indebted to him for, among other matters, the provision of their rest room. It was a, matter of sincere regret to them all that tiny were losing such an esteemed chief. Mr E. Morrison, supervisor of the counter staff, laid particular stress upon the fuel that in earlier days Air Fisher had been one of the prime movers in the superannuation fund scheme, and pointed out that that fact alone would earn for him the deep gratitude of every officer. That the Chief Postmaster’s sense of .justice was particularly acute, too, was obvious from Air Morrison’s remarks the speaker pointing out that if any member of the staff felt that he was not having a fair deal he promptly went to Air Fisher, knowing that he would receive a fair hearing and full justice. On behalf of tho counter and postal staff Air Morrison, concluded by wishing both Afr and Mrs Fisher, Fisher-the best of health and happiness during the coming years. Air Fisher, rising to reply, amid prolonged applause, said that he was at- a hiss to understand why the staff should make him stich a magnificent presentation. While* he w;ould prize that greatly, ho valued still more tbe sentiments accompanying it. Tide function would always be an inspiration to liini and a very pleasant memory. He hud merely, tried to do what any other officer in his place would have done. He had endeavoured to get away* as much as possible from tbe official side, and tlie very least he* could dij was to help* an officer in trouble.; in a ease like that ho felt thfit' the regulations should be put out of sight. The speaker had been in Gisborne for six,, years, .and ho felt that it was a great advantage to be a chief postmaster for a lengthy period, for in that' time he was able to learn the idiosyncrasies and different ideals of the officials. So long as the work was - done efficiently, what did it matter if one officer did it slightly differently from his. fellows. ,ln the. office there wore no barriers between the departments, and that, was ii state, of affairs which lie liked most to see. It was his opinion, too, that all members of tho staff should take up some form of sport, for sport drew them together outside and inside , the office*, breaking .down harriers—find v .incidentally, giving them a chance of. getting their own back. Short .kockcd, off the carpers, and gave the officers a better insight into'tho feelings of others. In conclusion. Atr Fisher remarked that while ho felt that ho w;as not entitled to the. many compliments that had been paid .him. they wpro.a great pffiasure to. him on his retirement. He wished to 1 thank the staff for the kind wishes extended.to Mrs Fisher, also, and pointed out that sho alone was responsible for. some of the amenities of.the rest room*. Air I* islier