POSTMASTER RETIRING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5221, 30 December 1927, Page 2

POSTMASTER RETIRING.

MR. W. E. WARD’S TERM UP.

A POPULAR PUBLIC SERVANT.

Before there is another issue of this paper Paeroa and district will have sustained the loss, in an official capacity at any rate, of Mr W. E. Ward, the popular postmaster at Paeroa. To-morrow Mr Ward retires >on superannuation .after 40 years’ sevice in the Fpst and Telegraph Department.

On November 11, 1887, Mr Ward joined the service, at Hokitika, and eighteen months later was transferred to Kumara, South Island, as a lettercarrier and messenger. Promotion came rapidly, and he .was later transferred back to Hokitika as, a cadet. After occupying various postions in that office, some ten years later he was transferred to Gisborne as a telegraphist.. Still gaining promotion steadily, Mr Ward was transferred to Kaponga, Taranaki, as postmaster, which position he held for nine years. Afterwards he was moved to Huntly, Waikato, where he was postmaster for over three year’s. About two and a half years ago Mr Ward succeeded Mr J. G. McDougall as postmaster atNPaeroa. During his residence at Paeroa Mr Ward, by his unfailing courtesy and true, sportsmanship, has been very popular, and has surrounded himself with a wide circle of friends who will wish him health and happiness during his retirement

As a member of the Chamber of Commerce Mr Ward took a keen interest in its movements, and any suggestions for the. improvement and betterment of the post and telegraph service Had his, earnest support. In addition to the opening of the new post office, a number of progressive movements have been instituted during his term of office here. As a fireman with a lengthy record Mr Ward joined up with' the. local volunteer brigade and threw himself whole-heartedly into the work. On more than one occasion he performed yeoman service at Paeroa, and was deservedly popular with the brigade members. Mi Ward was. also a devotee of Isaak Walton, and was a regular angler at the Waitawheta and other trout streams.

At the present moment Mr Ward’s successor has not been announced, but in the interim Mr P. Jaspers, chief clerk at the local office, will act as postmaster.