VALEDICTORY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5322, 5 September 1928, Page 2

VALEDICTORY.

MR. W- L. LAWRENCE. FAREWELL AT “GAZETTE” OFFICE The member.: of the staff of the “Gazette” assembled in the editor’s room on Mqnday afternoon .to take leave of Mr W. L. Lawrence, who has been on the staff for the las| six years and has severed 1 his connection with this office to take up .a prominent position op the staff of the. Wa'pukura.u Press. . The' editor, in handing Mr Lawrence a,luncheon dish .a,nd cheque, expressed the regret ' qf the recipient’s colleagues at his; departure from the office.. Both a member of the literary staff and,.an the commercial side Mr Lawrence had'rendered good service in the interest of the “Gazette.” As a news gatherer he wa'J a keen observer and a hard worker, ,a,nd never spared himself when material for the readers was to- be found. In the course of his. business, he made a host of friends and was actively cqnnected with nearly every movement in the town. Testimony of this popularity and service had been- given by the many iulstitutions in the town with which he had identified h>m'Self. Farewell functions: had beep arranged, at which genuine, re grot at his departure had been expressed, in concluding, the speaker wished Mr Lawrence' every succcs and hoped that lie would look back to his early literary life with pride and satisfaction. Mr Lawrehjee, in replying, sa.id that now the severance had' cqme he was indeed sad at leaving Paeroa, where he. had spent same of the happiest days of his life. He was particularly sorry tq leave his staff-mate:;, apd thanked them Individually for their assistance', especially in his earlier journalistic work. He had tried to do what he could for. the'town, and if it was felt that he, had done something for the various institutions aq|d the town generally, then that knowledge would be an ample reward. There was a large ga.ther.ing of friends at the station in the evening to bid Mr Lawrence good-bye.