POPULAR POSTMASTER

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 341, 23 January 1937, Page 4

POPULAR POSTMASTER

STAFF TRIBUTES. Mr. D. McCready Farewelled. By Local Officers. “The ‘under dog’ was my friend just the same as the . ‘big man’ \ and the man that deserved assistance would always giet it,” said Mr. D« McCready, at a fare>well 1 tenderted him yesterday afternoon by the staff of the Stratford Post Office. For fiv i e years postmaster at Stratford, Mr McCready retired from the service at the end of December, and in a remarkable speech at yesterday’s function 'he was able to say that throughout his long career he had never departed from fixed principles adopted when setting out to make his way in the servicte. The spontaneous tributes of the staff as well ( as the able way in whidh he has (attended to the demands of the business I'nterests of the town has showed the wisdom bf his early resolutions and ge goes Into retirement with the c°°d iwisjies of all sections of the community.

Telegrams from Inglewood, Ongarue, Palmerston North and Mangaweka, conveying good wishes from former members of the Stratford staff -wire read, when a representative gathering assembled in the telegraphist’s quarters after 5 o’clock to meet Mr. McOrcady. “We meet here on many occasions in this building, but it is the first time that we have gathered together to farewell an officer after 40 years service,” said Mr. R. W. Cardno, actin g-Postmaster. “Mr. McCready, ” lie continued, “has been with us as Postmaster for five years and during his term as Postmaster at Eltham was known to some members of the Stratford stsrff. When an officer is ambitious the one idea in his mind is to become a controlling officer but little does he think that he might lose that intimate contact with his fellow officers.”

Continuing, Mr Cardno said that. Mr McCready had been able to carry out the work of the Department while still retaining the affection of all the employees, and there was not an officer in Stratford who did not have a good w’ord to say for him. After 40 years service Mr. McCready was still a comparatively young man and he expressed the wish that he would be long spared to enjoy his well earned retirement. He then presented Mr. McCready with a sot of “Hcr.selite” bowls. Mr. E. W. Boundy, Supervisor Clerical Branch, said that Mr. McCready had always treated every member of the staff with rosp ct and if any difficulties arose he was only too pleased to talk them over. He had been I a real friend to the junior employees I and possessed characteristics that were admired by everyone vith i Vvhom he was associated. It was very i difficult to talk about losing such a | valued fri; nd and he could only con- ' elude by conveying to Mr. and Mrs. ! McCready and family sincere wishes for their future enjoyment and pros-

perity. Messrs. H. G. Dickie (teller), W. V. Letford (linesman), C. Diddington (lines foreman at Stratford and now overseer at Hawera) and C. A. Pollock (automatic telephone mechanician), also added their good wishes and expressed their appreciation of the fair and generous treatment accorded during Mr. McCready’s term as Postmaster. “I regard you as my friends, I won’t say fellow officers, because in my position I ha.ve always looked upon you as friends,” said Mr. McCready, in responding. He recalled a day over forty years ago when he walked into a small office at Kawakawa and commenced his service with the Department. In his childhood he had conceived the ambition to be a telegraphist and • would stand outside the Kawakawa I Post Office listening to the “tick tack” I of the machine. j ‘‘l used to wonder how the telegram ■ forms got past the insulators,” said i Mr. McCready. ! Full of enthusiasm and ambition I he commenced his work in the Post •Office and within twelve months had ' mastered, the Morse transmission and I reception although he had not many ’ opportunities to practice. In those (days he was at the office-at 7.30 a.m. : after milking three cows which some- { tim.s strayed away and had to be [rounded up. He had experienced the ups and downs of the service. He ! started at 10/- a week and piomoi tion was very slow. After 3J years 'he was transferred to Paeroa and j was at Whangarei and different i places before returning to his home ' Lown as Postmaster. ; “I decided that 1 would play the ' game and I have tried to do it,” conj tinned Mr. McCready. ‘‘l never resorted to any unfair methods to I gain promotion and have neve iit unless 1 believed it was due. 1 have dealt out fair treatment to those under me and, 1 cannot say that they

have let me down. I have never sent in a report that I am ashamed of. I set my course not to do anybody any injury and I have always stood for fair play. I can say that I have got friends among the unemployed, friends working on the roads; it there is a ‘big man' in the town it doesn’t matter to me, I have friends on both sides. The ’under dog’ was my friend and the man that deserved it would always get my assistance." Iti concluding, Mr. McCready tendered his sincere thanks for the assistance given him my Mr. Cardno and Mr. Boundy, and regretted having to part from them. He advised the junior members of the staff to put their best foot forward as the time was ripe for them to advance the service. He expressed appreciation of the very handsome present and thanked all tor their good wishrs.