30 YEARS’ SERVICE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3258, 3 May 1943, Page 4

30 YEARS’ SERVICE

PAEROA RAILWAYMAN PRESENTATION MADE FUNCTION SATURDAY NIGHT A very successful and enjoyable smoke concert was held in Bain’s Rooms on Saturday night, the occasion being a farewell and presentation tendered by the railwaymen of Paeroa and surrounding districts- to Mr H. Vinnicombe, who has recently retired from the Railway* service after having completed over thirty years of faithful and loyal service to the department. Mr Vinnicombe was stationed in Paeroa for over ten years and was a highly efficient and popular railway man, both with his workmates and the general, travelling public. He and his family are now living in retirement in Auckland. Visitors were present from Frankton Jh., Karangahake, Waihi and Tauranga.

Mr H. Saunders presided over the gathering and associated with him in addition to the guest of the evening were Mr J. Carmine, stationmaster, the Mayor, Mr Edwin Edwards, and Mr T. N. Fulton.

Proceedings opened with the loyal toast, followed by fifteen minutes’ community singing led 'by Mr W. Pirie. <

The Toast List Th’e toast list, which was interspersed with songs, recitations, humour- etc., was as follows: — “Goodfellowship,” proposed by Mr R. Howard and responded to by Mr W. Pirie. “Fallen Friends,” proposed by Mr E. Edwards who, in the course of his remarks, referred to the death of one of Paeroa’s most popular railwaymen, Private W. W. Brocklebank, recently reported killed in action. Mt Edwards urged each one present to solemnly pledge himself to make it his sacred duty to see that no dependent of any fallen soldier is ever left in want or need. This toast was honoured by one minute’s silence.

“Guest. of the Evening,” proposed by Messrs A. Whisker (A.S.RIS.), W. Morrison (E.F. and C. A.) and S. Wheeler (R. 0.1. Many others present also spoke in glowing terms of Mr Vinnicombe’s popularity and efficiency, several humorous incidents of the past being related. Well-filled Wallet /

“.Superannuitants,” proposed by Mr J. Carmine and responded e to by Messrs T. Fulton and L. C. Cane who both stated they were pleased to welcome “Bert” to the ranks of the superannuitants and wished him a long term tnerein. Congratulations were also read by the chairman from Mr C. G. Wright, of Frankton Jn., and from the guards and porters of Tau-

ranga. Following the toast to the guest of the evening the opportunity was taken by Mr J. Carmine to make a presentation of a well-filled wallet to Mr Vinnicombe • In a few wellchosen words Mr Carmine expressed the regret of all railwaymen of Paeroa, and the district Te Arofya to Thames and Tauranga, that Mr Vinnicombe had found it necessary to sever his connection with the department. At the same time they congratulated him on at last 'being able to gain his well-earned superannuation and wished him long life ana health to enjoy it. Mr Vinnicombe suitably replied, thanking all concerned for their gift and assuring them that he would never forget the happy years' he had spent in this district. Further items and a short community sing followed by “Auld Lang Syne” brought to a close what was described by several as one of the most successful evenings ever held in Paeroa.