Farewell to Mr MacDermott.

Manawatu Herald, 19 August 1902, Page 2

Farewell to Mr MacDermott.

.. — ; —— Last evening one of the most representative gatherings was held is the Public Hall to say good bye to Mr MacDermott, our popular. postmaster, who has been in charge o£ the local post office for the past i five years. However sorry the public are to lose him they have been pleased to know that his leaving meant a satisfactory promotion to him. We may, : ' ; just here say that the volume of work don& for the past years at the local . office is much larger than in some offices which are placed, by olasaifioa- ' tion, in a higher grade, thus it is J pleasant to know that Mr MacDermott’s conduct of this business has secured this advance. His Worship the Mayor took chair, having the guest of the evening on his right, and Mr Thynne was asked to take the conduct of the gathering, which was in the form of a smoke social. Mr England, manager of the Bank of New Zealand, very kindly presided at the piano and thus materially 1 ' aided the success of the meeting. Messrs T. ; W oS tw o °ci» R fla tl e » W. H. Hickson, W. Bullard and T., Porter sang, and Mr Wemyss gave some violin selections, which were heartily ! applauded. Light refreshments were handed round during the evening. After a piano prelude the Mayor was called to make the first presentation of the evening, that of a gold sovereign case from the citizens. The Mayor said this was the first occassion in his capacity of Mayor > to make a presentation. The position bad been forced upon him by the apontainiefcy of the people. The idea of making a present to Mr MacDsrmotl had started with the Athletic Club, but gentlemen kept meeting him and asking him what he was ! doing about & present ' for Mr MacDermott that the Club decided to act on their own account and the citizens should secure a different' article. He had never asked any one for a subscription, which he thought constituted a record, all had volunteered. The Mayor then turning to , Mr MacDermott said he had 1 very much pleasure in handing this gold sovereign case to' him as a souvenir from the citizens of the esteem he

(Mr MacDermott) was held in during bis residence amongst thorn. (Applause). : i It was arranged that prior to Mr . MacDermott’s replying to any one, all the presentations should be made. After a little more music V Mr Stiles arose and said he had very great pleasure to present a travelling bag on behalf of the Manswatu Bowing Club to Mr MaoDermott, who had served the club.as well as any one possibly could. When Mr MacDermott took up the duties of Secretary of the Club the funds were at a low ebb, but though the membership had not been eon* siderably increased the Club was now in a very good financial position. He ' was glad to announce that the Olub had conferred a life membership upon Mr MacDermott, and it was hoped that when he visits the town with Mrs MacDermott he would take advantage of his membership and enjoy a row on the river. He great pleasure in presenting MacDermott with this travelling bag. (Applause). After an interval

The Mayor said that he, as President of the Athletic Club, had a presentation to make. It was evident that Mr MaoDermott was a nmOh used man as besides being the Secretary of the Bowing Club, was last year the Treasurer of the Athletie

... ■■*&***■* ■■' ' "'■..iryr- - ... ■ r'" , Foxton Athletic Club had become one of the leading Sports meetings on the coast (which, however, he might not live to see), but was sure it would become, Mr MaeDermott would be pleased to know he assisted at its start by being its first Treasurer. This prophecy he felt sure would come to pass as Foxton was only belittled by its own inhabitants. Here, with a river flowing into the South Pacific, only needing a little improvement to . make it one of the best of ports; with the rich agricultural country around us, we have the making of a town which would be one of the best in the colony. We have flax, a splendid industry, the butter trade, a wonderful change from the old days when the storekeeper would rather see the devil himself enter his store than the farmer with his butter, Now the farmer is independent, be seeks no favours, he enters with his sovereigns and is interested in the cheapest prices. He was sincerely sorry Mr MaeDermott was leaving as he was always ready to respond to each and every call made upon him. He was pleased indeed to see such a representative gathering present. He asked Mr MaeDermott to accept the , accompanying gifts (a silver mounted tnalaeoa cane, and gold pencil case) from the Foxton Athletic Club. (Applause). ♦

Mb MaoDermott, who on rising was greeted with most hearty applause, desired to be pardoned if he was unable to find words to cxpreSg himself. He was struck with the ■ warm hoartedness shown to him that night and could only say he felt he had not deserved their kindness. He had endeavoured to carry out hiaduties to the beat of his ability and was exceedingly pleased to find that they had been appreciated. The interest he took in the Manawatu Rowing Club was from love of* boating, and he regretted the boatshed would not be re-erected before he left. He wished the Club every success, and thanked them for the honour they had done him by making him a life member. He desired to thank the Athletic Club, and hoped in, the future they would be better assisted by the business firms to what they had been. He desired to say as Postmaster he had been ably assisted in hiaduties by Mr Thomas Dunckley, who had always proved himself a courteous and energetic assistant, and he hoped to hear of hia early promotion. On behalf of Mrs MaoDermott and himself i he thanked them all for their kindness and they would never regret the happy days they had spent in Foxton. He thanked the citizens for their handsome present, and in conclusion he wished all prosperity, and hoped the flax industry would continue to boom. (Applause.) Mr Thynne said knowing that all had at heart the welfare of Mr and Mrs MaoDermott he thought that some representation should be made as to the publio feeling held of Mr MaoDermott as postmaster, otherwise it might bo thought he had been spending most of his time pacing on the bicycle track or rowing on the river. His business brought him in close contact with the post and telegraph offices and he desired to testify to the courteousnesa always shown him and the desire to assist his business as far as they could. He was delighted at the representative gathering that evening, as amongst those present were the Rev. Mr Wilson of the Church of England, and the Rev. Mr Harris, of the Primitive Methodists, neither of which churches Mr MaoDermott belonged to, which thus showed that in this free country we could rise superior to sects and acknowledge the good in any man, whoever he might be. He considered the town ■ rested under an obligation to Mr MaoDermott for his initiation of the altered Post Office. Of course the Borough Council did their share, but it was the prompting of Mr MaoDermott. The old post office was a disgrace, but now it might be declared as comfortable a one as there is on the coast. Mr MaoDermott had buffered all the inconvenience of the alterations, but it might be some return for bis trouble to know the present one would always be connected with his association with the town. He, on behalf of those outside of the two Clubs Wished Mr and Mrs MaoDermott long life and every happiness, and a pleasant time in their new home at Waimste. (Applause.) Bev. Mr Harris, who made a pleasantly humorous speech, said he desired to testify to the kindliness shown by Mr MaoDermott in his office. He knew Waimate well where Mr MaoDermott was going to, and if he liked potatoes—-well he could get no better potatoes than were grown around there. South Canterbury was a land not only flow- ' ing with milk and honey, but also with strawberries and cream. He hoped Mr and Mrs MacDermott’s life would be happy and prosperous. (Applause.) The audience rose and sang God Save the King,” and then every body shook hands with Mr MaoDermott, and a very pleasant and sue- : eessful evening was brought to a dose. 1