VALEDICTORY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5296, 6 July 1928, Page 2

VALEDICTORY.

PRESENTATION TO MR. W. PURDIE.

• A POPULAR OFFICIAL.

After a sojourn of a little over four, yeans at Paeroa Mr W. Purdie, storekeeper for the local office, of the Public Works Department, leaves to-day on transfer to the department’s Auckland office. During the time Mr Purdie lias been a resident of Paeroa fie has enjoyed wide popularity, and has made many friends who regret his departure from here. On Monday evening the opportunity was taken, to formally wish Mr Purdie au revoir, and some thirty members of the department’s staff and o number of personal friendls assembled at the Public Works office to make him a presentation. In the unavoidable absence of Mr O. G. Thornton, district engineer, Mr A. P. Grant presided. In handing .Mr. Purdie a handsome wallet well filled with bank-notes ;a.s a slight token of the esteem in which he was held, Mr Grant expressed sincere regret at Mr Purdie’s departure. He had proved himself a competent and zealous officer, and was popular, and whilst, sorry to lose> him from their midst his friends did not begrudge him well-earned promotion, and they wished him every l snccess in his new sphene. Mr H. L. Briffa.ult, overseer at the Kopu bridge, also spoke eulogistical!/ of Mr Purdie, and stated that he had never before met his equal in the department a.s a storekeeper, and his position at Paeroa 'would be a hard one to fill. During the erecton of the bridge the speaker said that he had been in regular and' constant association with Mr Purdie. and he had found him a sterling go’od fellow to work with and a .very efficient officer. One of the oldest members of the local staff, Mr W. Smith, roads overseer, also added his tribute of appreciation of the services a.nd popularity of their departing guest. After alluding to his association with Mr Purdie in official matters the speaker referred to the valuable work done by Mr Purdie in bowling circles during the /bars he had been secretarfy of the Paeroa Bowling Club, and to the services he had rendareffi in promoting interest in the game.