MR R. D. VEITCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19475, 9 May 1925, Page 17

MR R. D. VEITCH.

VALEDICTORY SOCIAL. On the occasion of his retirement Mr It. D. Veiteh, district telegraph engineer for Otago District, was entertained )>.v the odicers of the telegraph engineer’s branch at a complimentary social in the Early Settlers' Hall, Dunedin The gathering, numbering over 200. was nltended by ohicorn representing every section of the 'branch from all parts of the district, and was a distinct compliment, to Mr Veiteh in his capacity as a district controlling officer. , , The Chairman, Mr A. 11. Campbell, in bidding an official good-bye to Mr \eiteb, referred to the respect and high esteem in which the guest of the evening was held by the members of Ids staff throughout the whole district. The large mi l representative gathering spoke eloquently of (he good feeling existing. During Mr Vcitch’a term as district telegraph engineer some of the most, important works ever undertaken in Otago and Southland had been organised and carried out. under his direction. The speaker also referred to (he interest: taken by Mrs Veiteh in staff social functions, and said that although their guests were now no longer associated with them in an ollieial sense, he hoped they would continue their interest in staff gatherings. On behalf of the members of the staff he asked Mr and Mrs Veiteh to accept a pair of divan chairs and an oak occasional table, not as a measure of their esteem, but merely ns an indication of appreciation of their ninny exeejlent qualities, and with them their best wishes for many years in which to enjoy a well-earned freedom from ollieial cares. The following oflieers also spoke on be half of tin; various sections of the branch: Mr Mason (country districts). Mr Roberts (automatic installation staff), Mr Kofoed (construction and maintenance staffs), Mr Knmeril (telephone exchange, staff), Mr Clarke (clerical staffs), iyid Mr M’Demiott (district telegraph engineer, Christchurch) on liehalf of (hi; engineering branch generally. Included In a long list, of valedictory messages read were a ppreciat ive letters from the. secretary of the I’, and T. Department, the chief telegraph engineer, the deputy chief telegraph engineer, the inspecting engineer, the district telegiaph engineers at. Auckland and Wellington, the telegraph engineer’s staff, Invercargill, Mr W. A. Veiteh, M.L’., and Mr W. Fnrquhar Young. On rising to reply, the guest of the evening was enthusiastically received. Mr Veiteh said he. was greatly impressed by the large gathering of his staff, representing as it did every branch under Ills control, and including several of his old confreres from the Telegraph Office. He W'as particularly pleased to see so many foremen and men from the. construction parties, many of whom had come a considerable distance ro attend the farewell function. It had also been n great source of pleasure to him to have his old friend Mr M’Dermott, engineer for (die Canterbury district, with him that evening. He earnestly desired to thank the staff for the very handsome and appropriate gifts and for tlie many kind remarks that had been made bv the several speakers in regard to his wife and himself. He wished to assure them that- that night aud its happy memories would always bo a source of pleasant reflection to himself and his family. His official career commenced us a telegraph messenger at Stirling, Scotland, and after a few months in Dumfermline and two years ns a telegraph operator in Edinburgh, ho came out to New Zealand and joined the service at Dunedin in 1890. Since his transfer to the engineering branch in 1908 his work had been of a strenuous nature, but full of interest. He referred in eulogistic terms to the manner in which the staff had supported him in his official duties and displayed a spirit of loyalty which he very highly valued. It was frequently liis pleasure to listen to complimentary references by the public on the keen and intelligent manner in which the line staffs were carrying out their reconstruction work on tin* main arterial lines and in connection with the automatic telephone exchange system. Fluttering references in regard ro the courtesy and smartness of the telephone exchange and toll stall's were also of common occurrence. In eoncHisien, lie bespoke for his successor (Mr L. L. Macoy) a continuance of the same loyal support as had been accorded him. During the evening Hie women of (he exchange staff presented Mrs Veiteh with a beautiful posy of flowers as a token of their appreciation and esteem. Among visitors present were Mr R D. Kelly, chief inspector, H.D.0., Mr H. I’. Donald, chief postmaster, Christchurch. Mr F. W. Craig, superintendent Telegraph Office, Dunedin, Miss I. A. Roll, Mr Stephen Veiteh, and Mi R. D. Veiteh, jnn. A most enjoyable evening was spent in dancing, cards, and items contributed by Mr aud Mrs A. S. Rush, Mr W. Smith (vocal), and Mr Carter (juggling display).