COMPLIMENTARY GATHERING.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1926, Page 4

COMPLIMENTARY GATHERING.

TENDERED TO T. W. DUFF, ESQ. OX RETIREMENT FROM PUBLIC BODIES. ' There was a very representative gathering of ladies and gentlemen rt Preston’s ten rooms yesterday afternoon at-the complimentary gathering tendered by the heads of local bodies and citizens of the district to Mr 'l'. W. Duff on the occasion of lii.s retirement from active participation in the local bodies with which lie has been connected over a long period of years. The Mayor (Mr 0. A. Perry) presided, and those present included Mrs Perry, Hun 11. L. ‘.and Mrs .Michel, Mr T. E. V. Seddon ALP., Mr W. Jeffries (County Chairman) and .Mrs Jeffries, and upwards of , one hundred ladies and gentlemen. After afternoon tea had been partaken of there were a number-of speeches, and a presentation. .The guests of the gathering Mr and Mrs T. AY. Dull' sat alongside the Mayor. THE APOLOGIES. The Mayor in opening the proceedings stated apologies for absence l ad been received from the following.—l!ov. 0. . Knowles-Smitb, Messrs A. Clilton, \V. Wilson, A. G. Pilkingtoii, V,'. 11. Chinn, I’. Renton, J. .1. .Mclntosh, If. Whiley. W. Haselor, If. Lyons, H. M. Coulson, G. A. AA'ood. AA . J. Lutlei. AY. E. AY i Ilia ms. AY. E. Perry, W. Al illnur, F. H. Clark, Dr. Teioholnmuii and H. AA'. Sandle.

Air Perry reading the latter’s apology said lie .would "read it in lull as Mi Saudio had been . associated with Mr Duff for so many years. Alter apologising for his unavoidable absence Mr Saiidlo wrote:—

■•Air Duff’s honourable career as a representative of this district in the County Council; and also on other public bodies needs no comment from me; us his actions, ami deeds have always tended towards the furtherence of all things for their benefit. I, with all lii.s Stafford friends sincerely regret Air Duff’s retirement from public life, and trust lie may be blessed with good health and happiness in future.” THE SPEECHES. Air Perry continuing, said they had gathered together that afternoon to mark their appreciation of the public service rendered over a focriod of a quarter of a century by Air Duff, during which time he bad served on nearly every public body in the district. He had done more th.an a fair share ot service for the community, and lias done it well. Through that long period Air DiilF had carried out his many onerous duties with an integrity and honesty of purpose that hail deservedly won the esteem and confidence of the community. During that period lie lad been several times County ( hairilian proving that he lmd the eonlidem-.' ot that very responsible, body. He was also associated with the Progress League, Hospital -Board. Harbour Board and other bodies. It was felt that on the occasion of his retirement from public life that there should be a public appreciation of those services, and the very large gathering that he saw before him assembled was ample proof that those services were recognised and appreciated. A PRESENTATION. Mr Perry said he had a presontntiou to make which lie would do now. and he asked acceptance of lb" ing:.—From the Citizens to Airs Duff, a salad bowl, and fruit and nut dish. To Air Duff, n gold pencil. From County Office and road stabs Mr Dull, a motor rug.

Mr Perry in asking acoeplauto <ai«i the gifts v,ere a .small mark of rite appreciation of the services rendered anti of the esteem in which Mr and Mrs Duff were held by the community.. Mrs Duff had been an able partner and during their residence here, M r and .Mrs .Duff had proved admirable citizens who hail done their utmost L-o advance the best interests of the town and district and they had won the honour and respect of the whole of the residents. OTHER SPEAK KPS. Mr T. li. Chcsterman (the retiritig County Chairman) in supporting the Mayor's remarks said he had been in the County Council with Mr Dull I'w the last ten.years, lie had found him a. very agreeable man to work with, already to give ..advice, when asked for, and of his Ix-sl. lie was sorry Mr Di:/f had gone out of public life where he i ad spent such tv lot of his time. Mr and Mrs Duff were very nice people and well deserved the high esteem in which they were held. He was very sorry indeed to miss Mr Duff from I he Council table, where he had done such good work n or such a long period of years. Mr Perry, on calling on Mr Jeffries to speak, congratulated him on his election as County Chairman (lid, day. -Mr W. .lellries thanked the Mayor for his Congratulations on his election as County .Chairman. He thought it was a very meritorious action to gather

there that afternoon for the purpose ol paying tribute to one of our townspeople who for 21 years had given so freely of hi.s services for the public benefit, and had done it so well. lie had been personally associated with Mr Duff on the Harbour Hoard, Hospital Board, Progress League and the County Council. On the latter body he had served under Mr Duff as Chairman, and had never met a more able and comprehensive public man, one who was ever willing to give advice to the younger members, lie was a model lor any young man to follow who desired to enter public life. Mr Duff had ids own opinions, but took any criticisms in the proper spirit, and agreed to differ. He knew that Airs Duff was a worthy and able mate for her husband. He hoped that the respite J'rom public service would build him no again and that once more in the near future lie would conic hack to public life. He wished to associate himself with the expressions contained in the letter of Air Sandle. They would miss Afr Duff off the various public bodies, where none had been more considerate and devoted to the duties of his office. He would conclude by again expressing his regret at his retirement and wishing Air and Airs Duff long life and happiness.

Afr T. E. \. Seddon, M. P., desired to associate himsefr with the Afavor in his references to Air and Airs Duff. Ho had most pleasant recollect ions of Air and Airs Duff that he would carry as long as he lived- There were associations with Ids family 'and Air .Duff’s that went back to the time when they lived in Kumara. Tom Duff gees out with the good wishes of the community. He goes out with a record of good work 'accomplished. He had always looked mi him as one of his staunchest friends, it was <v great pleasure to him to see the recognition that was being given that day to hi.s long and faithful public service. He hoped that Airs Duff would be able to look back with most pleasant recollections of this afternoon’s reegnition of her husband’s services and also the recognition of herself. He thanked them for the opportunity of being present to express ltis appreciation of the long public- service. He had been pleased to come from Greymouth to take part in this very happy meeting. Hon. H. L. ..Michel, M.fc.C.. vms glad be present to join in voicing the feelings of the community to Afr and Airs Duff. It was a very happy thought that had arranged such a m Vjiizsiis in recognition

of the esteem in which. Mr Duff fil'd his good .wife were held. A quarter of a century of willing valuable service was a wonderfully good record. Many people did not. liavq. a conception of the duties of a public man. There are hundreds of duties that devolves on public men. There was never a movement for the betterment of the district that did not have the support of Mr and Mrs Duff. They were clean people in the true sense of the word. Nothing could be brought up against him in his long public serivee. Mr Duff had very high ideals of a public man’s dutv. It was .a matter lor regret that his health had caused his retirement lint he was sure be will come back in the not distant future. He endorsed the speeches and expressed his sincere regret -at his retirement. The . people of the Northern Riding had given continued support for do years, and that .was a sufficient mark of appreciation of good work. He wished both Mr Duff well in the future. .Mr J. A. Murdoch (member of the Westland County Council) said it was moll that the ladies and gentlemen of Hokitika should show their appreciation of the services of Mr Duff before his death, instead of waiting until afterwards as was often done. Ibis afteinnon’s gathering is unique and a good departure. His connection with Mr Dull' went hack to the early days of Stafford. Whether in public or private life Mr Duff’s record was a very honourable one and one it would be well to follow. If Mr Duff bad stood for re-election again be. was sure he would have been successful and it would have been a tribute to bis work as a member In the County Council Mr Duff had been one of the most prominent members who bad ever sat at the table, and there bad been many notnbl figures there at various times. On an. difficult question Mr Duff’s judgment had invariably been right and bis decision bad always enabled the situation to be fairly met He trusted that Hr and Mrs Duff would continue to have improved health and every happiness. Hi' J. .1. Breeze (Chairman of tlio Westland Hospital Board) on behalf or the members of the Board desired to add his meed of praise. No man had done more good for the Hospital than Mr Duff mid Mr Davidson. He had the happiest of recollections of the long connection of Dir Duff oil tle Board, where lie bad worked ungrudgingly and faithfully to advance the best’ interests of the institution. Dir Duff had been a very active anil capable member and lie hoped that in the near future he would again take a

scat there. Mr I). J. Krails (County Clerk) on behalf of the staff of the Westland County Council expressed their very -Old wishes to Mr and Mrs Muff on tins occasion. All connected with the stall' appreciated his many pond qualities. A reference had been made to Air Duff's journey over the Haast Pass, hut Mr Puff made an earlier journey when he went south in the Jane Douglas to Okuru and rode overland. Later he did the long trip through Haast Pass. The road and office staff recognised and testified to the work of Air Puff. They felt that they always got a. square deal from him. r i lie A\esthuid County Council had high traditions to live up to and Afr Puff during his long service had added very considerably to those high traditions. Tic wished to associate himself with good wishes to Air and Airs and Aliss Puff and would he glad to welcome Air Puff hack to the Council table. Tn addition to the services referred to by the other speakers, ATr Pull - had been Treasurer of the AVestiand Patriotic Lund. It was due to Afr Puff's.advice that the district had linked up with the National War Fund, and as a result of that action, very substantial advantages had been secured for returned soldiers in this district. Afr 13. Ward (Arnlmra) said his feelings are mingled with regret and pleasure. TTe was sorry Afr Puff had left the Council, where for 18 or 19 years he (Mr Ward) had taken him as an example to follow. It was well the public should recognise the service of 2! or 25 years. Feelings of pleasure will remain from this little function. During Lis term as a County Councillor, and his occupancy of the Chairmanship. Mr Puff had filled the positions with satisfaction to the ralepayers and credit to himself. Ho hoped to see him coming hack again,

he was a comparatively young man. and taking part again in County matters. He had done good work and there was general regret at his severing the pleasant relations. Mint had extended for so many years. Afr 11. R. Swency, ns Chairman of th<‘ Hokitika School Committee, on behalf of that body desired in convey appreciation of Air Duff's services as a member of that body. Tt was .1 happy thought that prompted this gathering, and he joined in the general expressions of good will. Af IT DUFF RE PUT Ik's.

t Hi’ T. AV. Duff oil rising to reply was r heartily received, lie thanked them > for I heir attendance that afternoon. . There had l>een a lot of speakers but ) he could not say ho had enjoyed them. A great deal had been said that he > felt ho had not deserved. He thanked them heartily for their very handsome | gifts, which they would value very . highly indeed, and (hey would at all [ times he a reminder of the kindly , thoughts that had prompted them. He I was not worthy of the gifis or of the > kind things said of him. During the 1 Past twenty-five years he had ondca- ■ voured to do his utmost-for the wellI being of Hie people who had put him > in the Council as their representative. ; The AVostland County Council had a * large area to look after, it was one of the largest counties, and there worn many large problems. He had found the members with whom he had associated. in years past, men who were out to do the very best for the, district as a whole, and lie had at all times received nothing but kindness and courtesy from them. One of the most pleasant recollections bad been, the connection with the Westland County Council. , AVhen he first joined he was a raw recruit. Reference was made to the many elections of Chairman that he had attended. He took this opportunity of congratulating the new Chairman on his election unopposed. He had also pleasant recollections < ■ the office .staff. Afr Evans was there "hen he first joined the Council and he had been of the greatest assistance ti> the speaker. He had nothing but praise for Air Evans and his ability and keenness to assist. Tt was a very j pleasant recollection, the assistance lie j had at all times received from Air Evans. The staff was a fine one. and diu good work. His associations " ith the Hospital Board had covered many years. Previous to coming to Hokitika he had been on the local hospital committee and had con tinned , tlie work here. To-day they had a hos- i I'ital that is a credit to the district ’ and the Chairman '(Afr Breeze) .had ( done a great amount of good work or ( its behalf. He would conclude by £ thanking one and nil for their attendance that afternoon and for their [. very generous references to his wife t and himself which he deeply appro- s eiateil and would never forget. (Ap- *- plause). J The siuging of Auld Lang Syne concluded a very successful function.