VALEDICTORY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 213, 3 May 1932, Page 7

VALEDICTORY

REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING FAREWELLS MR G. NELSON MANY TRIBUTES PAID Representatives of the various branches of the Rotorua post office staff, of the business community, the Unemployment Relief Committee, and the Orphans' Club gathered yesterday to farewell Mr. George Nelson, who ysterday relinquishd his position as postmaster at Rotorua to take over a new appointment as chief postmaster for the Blenheim district. During the three years he has been in charge of the Rotorua post office, Mr. Nelson has won general regard from all sections of the community, and this feeling made itself felt during yesterday's little valedictory function. In making a presentation on behalf of the post office staff, Mr. H. C. Smith, telegraph supervisor, said that Mr. Nelson had been more than $»eir chief to them — he had been a friend who was always ready to listen to any grievances, however tedious: As their chief he had given them encouragement and above all, inspiration, and that was something which counted for a great deal in official life. Each member of the staff would keenly regret Mr. Nelson's departure and feel that he was losing a personal friend. Mr. E. H. Tyler, postal supervisor, supported Mr. Smith's remarks. Each member of the staff, he said, felt that in both public and private life, Mr. Nelson had been his friend, and they all felt a deep sense of reget at his departure. His popularity both with his staff and with the public, was beyond question. Similar tributes to Mr. Nelson's popularity were paid by Mr. L. C. Mc(Isaac, on behalf of the line and engineering staff, and by Miss E. Schadick, exchange supervisor. Unemployment Committee On behalf of the Rotorua Unemployment Relief Committee, the chairman, Mr. T. Jackson, made a further presentation to Mr. Nelson. In doing so, Mr. Jackson paid a warm tribute to the service rendered to the community by Mr. Nelson as certify^ ing officer, but said that his regret at his departure extended further than that. Rotorua was, he felt, losing a very worthy citizen. Mr. Nelson had occupied the position of postmaster under the most difficult conditions, at a time when many new duties were thrust upon the service — duties calling for the exercise of the great,.tact and patience. Only those who had served on the committee could adequately realise how hard it would be to replace him. w Supporting the remarks made by Mr. Jackson, Archdeacon Chatterton said that as the views of the unemployment committee had already been so adequately expressed by the chairman, he would speak for the citizens generally. Everyone who had come in contact with Mr, Nelson could not but be impressed by the fact that under the most trying conditions, he had always a smile. A smile was something that went a long way to smooth away prejudices and open hearts. Mr. Nelson had always rendered service s very cheerfully and effectively and while they all joined in congratulating him in his promition, they wishef that 4bey could ke him with them. Further Tributes. As president of the Rotorua Orphans' Club, Mr. J. M. Roberts paid a tribute to the serviees Mr. Nelson had'-rendered the club as a musician. Mr. Roberts added that in his official capacity he knew that Mr. Nelson's tact and efficiency had been of the very greatest service to the business community. Mr. A. W. Downer, one of Mr. Nelson's predecessors as postmaster," and- Mr. E. T'. Harris, repre_ Senting the business community, both added further tributes to Mr. Nelson's qualities. Mr. Nelson, in reply, stated that he was overwhelmed by what had been done — he had never anticipated for one moment a function of this nature. He deeply appreciated what had been said, but he wished to make it plain that he could have accomplished nothing without the wonderfully loyal support which had been given him by every member of his staff, from, the supervisors to the telegraph boys. He had spent three happy and very strenuous years in Rotorua and both Mrs Nelson and he had very many real regrets in their departure. "Now a Business" The postal service was now a business and as much had to look to the business community for support and co-operation. That support and co-operation, he had always had in full measure in Rotorua. In this connection he paid a tribute to the happy relations existing between the various Government departments in the town, and the post office. There was no town in New Zealand where better relations existed in this connection. In conclusion, Mr. Nelson said that although the wor-k had been strenuous, his work on the unemployment committee had given- him. a great deal of satisfaetion. In this direction, he had received wonderful assistance from Mr. Tyler and it was to his efforts that any success which had been achieved was due. He felt that his association with Mr. Jackson as ehairman of the committee had been most helpful, while he paid a warm tribute to the work done by Mr. W. A. McLean as secretary. He hoped that all his friends in Rotorua would extend to his successor, Mr A. M. Robertson, the same co-operation and assistance as they had given him. PERSONAL D'r. A. Stenhouse and Miss Stenhouse, of New Plymouth, are among those at Brent's Bathgate House. Business Men's Tribute At an afternoon tea at the Dolly Varden yesterday, Mr. Nelson was entertained by a number of the business men of Rotorua, and advantage was talcen of the occasion to present

sident of the Rotorua Retail Traders' Association, spoke a few words. They had gathered there, he said, to bid farewell to Mr. Nelson, their postmaster and to convey to him an expression of the high esteem in which he was held. Mr. Nelson had given every satisfaetion in his position and had been of great assistance in the many activities with which he had been connected. In wishing Mr. and Mrs. Nelson every success in ' the f uture and a happy time in their new sphere, at Blenheim, Mr. Harris remarlced that what was Rotorua's loss was BlenEeim's gain. He felt sure that Mr. Nelson would realise their feelings at his departure, which could not be judged by the number present as it was an awkward time for business men to leave their work. He asked him to aecept the little gift on behalf of the business men of Rotorua. Mr. O. H. Coleman said that he was sorry to lose Mr. Nelson. People were inclined to take Government officials for granted, but despite this fact anyone doing business with their guest was always greeted by the most courteous of men. Mr. Coleman said he had a deep regard for Mr. Nelson, who had done everything he could to assist them in their business dealings. Continuing, Mr. Coleman said that not only was he losing a personal friend, but the community was losing a man who had done much to help fprward many worthy objects. He wished Mr. Nelson every success at Blenheim and every happiness in the f uture. Mr. Pratt supported the remarks of the other speakers. Mr. Nelson's Appreciation When Mr. Nelson rose to reply he was received with acclamation. He assured those present that he had never expected to receive such a send off and he took it as a wonderful tribute, not to himself, but to his staff, as it was they who always tried to give service. In referring to the citizens of the town Mr. Nelson said that he had never before met with such a- spirit of loyalty and co-operation. During the whole of the three years he had been stationed here he had had a happy time and they had no idea how he felt the parting. "I do not know how to thank you," said Mr. Nelson, "but if I had my fiddle with me I could probably express myself better." (laughter.) In conclusion he again expressed his own and his wife and family's appreciation of their present and their method of bidding hiin farewell.