VALEDICTORY.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 October 1921, Page 2

VALEDICTORY.

I There was representative gathering | of citizens at Roller's Hotel yesterday afternoon to bid farewell to Mr A. H. Stuart. Chief Postmaster, who re- ' tired from the service yesterday, after a period of 12 years. The Deputy i Mayor (Mr H. M. C'oulson) presided, 1 anrl read a number of apologies from I citizens who were enable to he present Mr C'oulson said they had gatherei ! together to bid good-bye to Mr Stnaii : Customs officer, and Chief I’cstmastei 1 for the past three years, who was re tiring on superanuuntirn that day. H( felt, he was voicing the opinion of tin , whole community when be exprcssei the regret he felt at his npproachin; | departure, and appreciation of his set I vices as an officer, and as a citizen 1 They had gathered together for *h j purpose of marking that appreciation i and ns a slight token of their estpei . ' he asked acceptance of a case of pipe ! and gold-mounted cigarette holder, an 'ho trusted that he would long be spin ed to smoke the pipe of peace. " , Hon. H. b. Michel paid a warm tr ! bute of appreciation of the manner i which Mr Stuart had carried out b ' 1 duties as Customs officer and l’ostma e ter and voiced the general regret fe ial the impending departure of Mr at | Mrs Stuart, who would be greatly mis > cd. He expressed the hope that A 1 and Mrs Stuart would later come line 1 and in the town. s ! Messrs tV. E. Williams, Tl. Wild, ai T. W. Itrcce also joined in the e j pression of g<«'tl will to Mr and AI Stuart and regret at their coining 1 r) parture each speaker referring to tl 3 excellent sevire* rendered ns a Cover | nient offieial, and as a citizen, and t i- happy hours spent with the sportii l- clubs he was connected with. 1 Mr Stuart’s health was then drill •e with musical honors. 0 Mr Stuart feelingly replied, than ing the several speakers for tlicii \e li kind references which he felt were n deserved but were due to the go o heartedness of the speakers and t (minmunity who had always helped h t _ materially in the carrying out of 1 duties. If he had fulfilled his dut , worthily, then the praise was dtle those who luid so freely assisted hi It was a great satisfaction to him find that his laiiours had lieen npp ,dated. He thanked them for tli kind references to Mrs Stuart, and a for their memento, which he would ways treasure. He would go aw cherishing the Iwst of memories ‘ Hokitika and its people and was stroi !y tempted to collie back and set ! here later. He thanked them again ; their good wishes. j The singing of "Auld bang Svn and the National Anthem concluded | function.