PRESENTATION TO MR. C. SKITROP.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1915, Page 4

PRESENTATION TO MR. C. SKITROP.

BY ii(JUOU<JII iOIPLOYEES. ' There was a very large attendance o( tbe employees of the New Plymouth -Borough Council at the Town Hall on Saturday to farewell the borough en-' .rijieer, Mr. C. Skitrop, and to present Kirn with tokens of their esteem and rej g»rd. Mr. A. Catliro, who presided, said th»(since Mr. Skitrop took office the council's employees had worked roost ami<*Wy with, the engineer and without ft'jiy .flflciion, for Mr. Skitrop was a wan who would not condemn an employee without good reason, nor would he "be too severe on minor faults-. There was Elways a section in every community who I were never satisfied, and it was felt tfcat Mr. Skitrop had not been treated 'li.the proper way, The employees, how. 'ever, had every confidence in hi* fairneaa to them and that he strove to do his duty to hi-s employers. They all wished him success in his futwo career. Mr. T. Smith then, on behalf of the borough employees, presented Mr. Skitrop with. a handsomely illuminated *ddress signed! by the employee*, and set in a fumed oak frame. In doing 89, he Mild that they all felt Mr. Skitrop had been <a good servant to the ratepayers Mid a good "boas" over the men., They ti\ wished him long life and success. (lApplftiise.) On rising to respond, Mr. Skitrop was received with prolonged cheers. He said Hia,t he felt he was leaving (he town witli the good wishes and -respect of •very workman wlio had been under his etiarge, and he was proud to say that they had all been loyal to him. He had wrrleckQut hie duties to the best Of hi* ability, and' the fact tht&all their undertakings had been executed well withh the estimates spoke well for tiie workmen, and on their ability he considered he was in a better position to tdgo than the man in the street. A rge-amount of work had been carried! out during the last, few years, and they were entitled to the credit of copying It out in u conscientious and prtutieal manner. (Applause.) Mr. J.Kfliby (ex-coiuicillor) bore testimony to Mr. Skitrop'a courtesy, mi ability, adding that it would be a long time before the borough would get a better man. Ho hoped Mr. Skitrop would have a more successful career in the next position he filled. '

Mr. V. Jackson (cr-counoiUof), spoke appreciatively of Mr. Skitrop's services, expressing the opin'on that he had done splendid work for the borough while filling a very difficult position. Mesara Partington, Lynch, and Cithro also paid tributes of praise to Mr. Skitrop'j) services to the thorough, and the proceedings' concluded with three hearty oncers for Mr. Skitrop, and the singing of "For he's a jolly good-fellow." The text of the addreßs, which was splendidly oxeouted by Mr. Lee, of tie staff of MeLeod and Blade, Ltd,, wae M follows:--

TO OWHSTIAK SKITROP, ESQ., Dear Sir,—On the occasion of your severing your connection with the New Plymouth Borough Council, in whose services you have held the position of Borough Engineer for the past four years, we, the employees' of the Counall, who have worked under your direction, wish to take the opportunity of expressing our appreciation of the many estimable qualities possessed by you as engineer and employer. The relations existing between the >t*ff and yourself have at all time been most harmonious, and your management, while securing the\ maximum of benefit for the ratepayers, Ws never been.in anyway dictatorial or overbearing to the staff. Your skill as an engineer in meeting and carrying out the many heavy work* that have been necessary in New Plymouth during the past few years, will, tve are sure, be more and more appreciated as the permanent character of. ii becomes apaprent. In taking farewell of you we desire to express our sincere wishes for your future prosperity, hv whatever direction you may throw your energies. and to wish, yourself and Mrs. Skitrop long life and happiness^—W« are, yours faithfully—(Appended 'an about 40 signatures.)

From the ho-«e drivers Mr. Skitrop received a handsome silver-mounted walking stick with ebony handle, am} from Mr. Russell Matthews, a travel Hng rug. The address will be on view for two of three days in Mr. Rich's shop window. '