VALEDICTORY.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 November 1921, Page 4

VALEDICTORY.

MH J. N. NALDER FA REW EL-LED. THE CITIZENS TRIEDTE. There was a large representative gathering at Keller’s Hotel yesterday afternoon to hid farewell to Mr J. N. balder, Clerk of Courts, who is under transfer to Gisborne, and left this morning. The Mayor .Mr G. A. I’erry) presided and stated they had gathered together for the purpose of saying tarowell to a eapablc and able public officer. Mr .Voider was also a courteous and considerate officer, who besides carrying out his public office, looked alter llie interests of the public, lie had gone out of his way to make things easy lor the public. It was with very great regret that his friends had heard of his removal. They wished him every happiness and prosperity in his new sphere. He was really sorry they were going to lose one of their most estimable citizens. No man in the town had a wider circle of friends and a narrower circle of enemies. Mr .J. A. Murdoch felt that he had given more trouble to Mr Voider than anv one else as ( lerk ot the Magistrate's and Warden’s Courts, lie was glad ot the opportunity of expressing

hi- giatefnl appivcia<inn of the many acts of courtesy extended to him. in addition to those acts that his office necessitated, and one expected from an officer. Ho was in all his actions strictly departmental, hut at the moment he was ahle to cross the line of duty then Mr Voider was ready and willing to give of ids host. He regretted his departure and wished him, his wife and family every prosperity. Mr H. M. Conlson said he had been a most intimate friend and the more he knew of him the better he liked him. It was some consolation to know that his departure meant promotion for Mr Voider. As a Jutsieo of the Peace he had to thank him for much consideration. He joined in the expres--ions of goodwill and trusted he would enjoy further piomotion. Ml W. li. Williams desired to add his appreciation of the good citizenship ot Mr Voider. Referring to the old age pension work of his otliee, Mr Voider had gone to no end of trouble to got the old people their pensions, lie was an exemplary public officer, always most kindly and ready to give assistance to all who came along. Mi T. W. Itruee regicited the necessity ol the gathering. During Ml Nalder’s slay here fourteen new Magistrates had passed through the office and had been helped m the breaking in and more than one had expressed keen appreciation o| the assistance

•endcred by Mr Voider. He had heard many old pensioners express appreciation of the generous considei at ion and ' inducts show n. lie was satisfied their 11 1 ing Iricnd will cun away the ulwill cl the community, lie had pluvcd a jolly good lellow and deserved cvciy prosperity and happiness. Mr .lames Park d'rown Proscrutoi) aid Mr Voider had pioved a capable attic,.i. most painstaking and generous. His Honor. Justice llordman. when leaving Hokitika had paid a great tri-

bute to the help Mr Voider had been to him. Many friends in this district would follow him to his new home with kindly thought and sympathy. The iiiemhers of the liar had asked him to make a presentation on their heliall ot a tobacco pouch, with an enclosure, with which they trusted Mr Naldel would procure a memento that would soivo m remind him of his I fiends ot lie liar in Hokitika. The Mayor then asked acceptance on behalf of the citizens oi Hokitika of a wallet with a substantial enclosure, as a mark of their icspect and esteem. Mr R. Wells joined in the exptes--iun ot goodwill and regret, and mentioned tlie assistance given to soldiers in securing pensions, lie was very soiry for his approaching departure and voiced his keen appreciation of the many kindly services' rendered personally by Mr Nalder, and goodwill for the future ol Mr and Mrs Valdor and lamilv.

Mr C. 11.I 1 . Sellers in a happy speech, said he felt that ho had given more trouble to Mr Nalder than even Mr Murdoch. He recognised that Mr Nalder had always done his best lor everybody, no matter who they were. He deeply regretted his departure and joined in the expressions of good wishes for the future. Tlie toast of the guest was then drunk with musical honors.

Mr Nalder on rising was received with applause. Full of seriousness lie asked the Mayor to convey to the citizens his very sincere thanks lor their present. What lie most valued was the expression of goodwill and fellowship. It was a matter of great gladness to him. He thanked them most sincerely for their kind expressions. to himself and his wile. During his long form of office he had always I. Ii a tinge of regret that he would liaie to leave. Now has come the time and he deeply regretted it. Reference had beau made to his duties, hut h« did not even hope to meet members of die legal profession who could extend him more courtesy and co-operation than had the local members of the Ihit , ihus rendering his work very easy. He greatly appreciated the kind rclcrences made and would always remember the happy time s]>ont in Hokitika. Ho thanked them all once again most -heartily.

AHId l.ang Syne and the National Anthem concluded a happy gathering. CIVIL SERVICE FAREWELL.

A| the Courthouse half an hour later the mein he rs of the Civil Service mot t.. farewell Mr Nalder. Mi It. K. <hdhrailh (Cimimissioiier ol Crown Bauds) presided, and rel'erred' to the splendid service rendered during his I I years stay in llokitika. He had proved a most ellicient officer, obliging to the departments and the public. He congratulated him on liehalf of the Civil Service oil his promotion to tJishorne, Messrs Rossiter, Morgan, Ward, Ralston, Pilkington and Sergt l<i"K joined in the expressions of appreciation and goodwill, conveying best wishes for the future of Mr and Mrs Nalder and family. The Chairman then asked acceptance of a fountain pen, and wallet with enclosure as a small mark of the esteem in which Mr Nalder was held by the civil servants of the town.

Mr Nalder said he was pleased to timl he had won the good feeling and respect of his fellow officials and to heat their expressions of good fellowship and

goodwill. He thanked thorn for their kind presentation which would help to remind him of the many pleasant hours spent among them. Their references to his wife he deeply appreciated and she would also bo glad to know how kiudl.v had been their expressions of goodwill, lie trusted he would soon have another opportunity of meeting them all and again expressed his hearty thanks. “Hor he’s a jolly good fellow” was heartily sung and subsequently Mr Valdor's health was drunk with musical honors.

PRESENTATION TO MRS NALDER. Yosterdav afternoon a farewell reception was held by Mrs Payne at Preston’s Ton Itooms in favour oj Mrs .1 V. Valdor on the eve of Iter departure from tbe Coast, The tables which had been especially and tastily decorated for the occasion accommodated over forty guests and a pleasant musical programme, on piano and violin interspersed with vocal items quickly and enjoy ably passed away tlio time. During the course of the afternoon Mrs IV. J. Butler at the request of the hostess in a most charming speech dwelt on the many virtues of the departing guest, and asked her to accept a handsome handbag as a token of esteem from tier numerous friends in Hokitika.

A suitable response and the singing of “A old Dang Syne” brought an agreeable function to an all too early (•losft