POPULAR POSTMASTER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5222, 4 January 1928, Page 2

POPULAR POSTMASTER.

riIESENTATION TO .'IB. HARD.

LONG SERVICE ENDS.

In order to fittingly mark his retirement after forty years,’ service in tlie Post and Telegraph Department

Mr W. E. Ward, postmaster, Paeroa, was the rec’pient of a presentation on Friday afternoon. “Well done, thy good and faithful servant,” was, thefeeling that permeated the representative gathering.

About 20 businessmen and members of the Chamber of Commerce assembled in the postmaster’s room, where the presentation was made by His Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Marshall). The Mayor referred to the fact that Mr Ward was the first postmaster to occupy the new post office. The business community at least had been unanimous in their wish to offer Mr Ward hearty congratulations on his lengthy term of office and to bring him some gift as a slight token of appreciat’on and express in a .humble manner the high esteem in which he was held. Although Mr Ward had been at Paeroa only about two and a half years he had gained an enviable reputation for unfailing courtesy and dev.tion to duiy. A feeling existed among his friends that his retirement was a. crown to .a life of service faithfully performed. The speaker apologised for the smallness of .the gathering, which, he said, was due mainly to the short notice given about the, presentation, and also the fact that so'many people were away from Paeroa on holiday. However, the expressions of goodwill from the number present ware deep and sincere. It was /earnestly hoped that after such a splendid record of service Mr Ward would be spared to enjoy good health, a long life, and bountiful happiness with ihis wife and family, freei of! all officialdom. (Applause.)

Continuing,, the Mayor said that ii ever a postmaster had cut through the bonds of “red tape” .and served the interests and convenience of the public it had been their old friend “Joe” Ward. It was to be hoped that his successor would give the public the same kindly consideration. If he could gain anything like Mr Ward’s reputation, then he would be a man indeed.

In handing Mr Ward a handsome travelling-rug and a wallet of banknotes the Mayor asked him to accept the tokens in- remembrance of the real heart-felt feeling of appreciation thq local public had for their retiring postmaster.

Reference was made to the fact that Mr Ward had proved himself something more than a Government official, and a tribute was paid to the work and service he had given as a member of the volunteer fire brigade, as .a member of the Chamber of Commerce in which his sole desire was to effect improvements - and co-operate for the welfare of the public, and last, but not least, the high esteem in which he. was held by the Paeroa Orphans’ Club, of which he had been an indefatigable vice-president. In conclusion, regret was expressed that Mr Ward would shortly, be leaving Paeroa. He was wished every success and happiness, and assured of a hearty welcome whenever he could make it convenient to return. ACKNOWLEDGMENT. In cpming forward to respond Mr Ward received prolonged applause. He said that although he had been only two and a half years at Paeroa it was a vastly different town to-day. He was unable to adequately express his grateful thanks for .all the kind sentiments accorded him. He was deeply

touched, and was appreciative of the gifts, which.he would always treasure highly.’ Touching reminiscently upon his many and varied experiences during his 40 years’ service, Mr Ward said that he. had always endeavoured to balance the scales fairly between the public and his department. Matters, from the point of view of the public had not always gone just as required, but he had done his best and was looking forward with keep- antici-

pation to Ji’s retirement. What he had been able to do outside his official duties h«! been a labour of 1’ ’e, and he Was grateful to the many splendid fellows with whom he had been associated. ‘He hoped that his successor would be acceptable to the public, and that he would receive a cordial reception and the same consideration that he himself had received. Although leaving Paero.a eventually, Mr Ward said that he would look forward with keen interest to visiting the tdwn at some 'future date and having the, pleasure of meeting his many old friends.

PRESENTATION FROM STAFF. At the close of business on Satuiday evening the members of the local, post office assembled in the postmaster’s room to formally bid Mr Ward goodbye.

In asking Mr Ward to accept a solid leather suit-ease, suitably inscribed, Mr P. J. Paspers, actingpostmaster, extended the sincere congratulations of the staff to him on hav’pg reached the retiring age after 40 years of service. Mr Jaspers referred to the popularity of Mr Ward not only with the general public but particularly with the staff. There was. not a member present who did not love and respect his boss and while sorry that such happy associations should be severed, it was a unanimous wish that Mr Ward would long be spared to enjoy his wellearned rest. (Applause.) In acknowledging the gift Mr Ward said that he wished to record his, thanks individually and collectively to those members of the., staff who had assisted him loyally and in a spirit of, co-operatioin since coming to Paeroa. Naturally he did not like Cutting adrift from his officers, but the time had come when he had to make room for younger men. He much appreciated the kind sentiments expressed by Mr Jaspers, and in conclusion he wihed the staff good luck and steady promotion.