PUBLIC FAREWELL TO MR W. MURDOCH.

Shannon News, 12 March 1926, Page 3

PUBLIC FAREWELL TO MR W. MURDOCH.

Last evening, at the Druids' Hall, a public farewell was tendered Mr William Murdoch, late Mayor of iShannon, who, owing to ill-health, has been compelled to resign the Mayoralty and is about to take up his residence at Te Roti, Taranaki. The hall was well filled with a large ana representative gathering' oi citizens, which went to show the high esteem in which the departing gentleman is held in Shannon and surrounding district. The evening was devoted to dancing, Mr Pritchard officiating as M.C., the music for which was supplied by Mrs Bovis, and Messrs. A. Mason and H. Hjook. At an interval in the dancing Mr Jas. Murray, alUter reading an apology for absence from Mr R. L. Tippler, chairman ox the Shannon school Committee, in which the latter expressed the committee's thanks to Mr Murdoch for services rendered to the school, Mr Murray called on Mr F. H. Taylor td\ bid farewell on behalf of the citizens to Mr Murdoch* ' .. Mr F. H. Taylor, who was chairman of Mr Murdoch's committee during the last Mayoral election, sard they had gathered to say farewell' to a gentleman who had held the position of chief citizen of Shannon for a •longterm of years. They were no,t only y going to say farewell, but to assure him of the high esteem and regard in which he was held iby the citizens. He did not intend to quote figures, but rather to touch briefly on the broad outlines of their guest's administration. Firstly, there was his devotion to. duty. In looking back over Mr Murdoch's term as Mayor of Shannon from the inception of the office to the present time, they found he had always acted from his sense of duty and responsibility, and undeterred by ill-health, criticism and opposition, he had held steadfastly on his way. topping always in view the interests of the citizens. In financial matters, his legal'knowledge and keen business sense had saved the Boiwgn hundreds of pounds, directly and widirectly. At toe same time he had never used his position to advance his own interests, and he left Shannon a pdor man, as far as this world b goods were .concerned, font rich mi the esteem and regards of his friends.Secondly, he was again desenving 1 of gratitude for the wide extent of -hib activities on behalf of >thei [people. As a member of the Palmerston North Hospital Board, he had! shown in a very practical manner his sympathy with the sick and suffering, and his desire to help those to whom this great work was intrusted. Those in the service of the Public Works Department owed him much for the establishment of the Medical Association at Mangaliao, which provided the services of a doctor and nurse for, tlhose employed on the Mangahao works; Duiiing the epidemic, he was' indef atiguable in his efforts to help air- in need. Aibove, all, Mr Murdoch had proved himself to be <the poor man's friend, and in his departure, the workers of the district were losing a stalwart champion, who had never (been too 'busy or too filled with his own importance to attend to their needs. The Maori race had also shown in a practical manner, its appreciation <x iiis good qualifies, while the Returned Soldiers' Association had found in him a firm friend. On. -behalf of the citizens and residents of the town and district he had much pleasure in. askr ingMr Murdoch to accept, as a token of their esteem and regard a suitably inscribed wallet well filled with notes, and he trusted sincerely that with the cares of office laid aside, his health would- be restored, and that he would spend many years of happy retirement and that he would at some tame revisit Shannon, in the hearts of whose citizens he would always hold a warm place. . ■ All present were most enthusiastic and sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." / , / On -rising' to reply Mr Murdoch was loudly cheered. He said he fehVa deep emotion after listening to the kind remarks of Mr Taylor, but he wished to thank the people who .had ; gathered toi bid him farewell. He said if he failed in words, he could assure j them of the deep gratitude he felt ait , the nnboundened confidence, faith and trust they had placed m him. When he had felt he could no longer carry -out his duties, be had laid down that trust. He said the people_o Shannon would always be in his mind and he hoped at some time to again renew their friendship. Mr Taylor had referred to- him as a friend oi the poor and down-trodden, he said u. was onlv natural those who came in contact with them to feel for them. In conclusion he said it was a severe wrench for him to leave but he would always owe a deep debt of gratitude to the people of Shannon and would think -of them in days to come. Mr Murdoch then resumed his seat amidst loud cheering. Supper was then handed round ami dancing was carried on until midnight,