A POPULAR OFFICIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1919, Page 3

A POPULAR OFFICIAL.

PRESENTATION TO MR, J, H. FOWLER. A very pleasant function took place at Messrs. May and Arrowsmith's tearooms yesterday afternoon, when the head officials and some-lady members of the staffs of the various local bodies in Taranaki met to make a presentation and say good-bye to Mr. J. H. Fowler, who for the past seven and a-half yearß has occupied the position of Audit-In-spector for the Taranaki district, and who has been transferred to the Wellington district. Mr. F. T. Eellringer (general manager and town clerk), New Plymouth, presided, and there were present: Messrs R. Ellis (Taranaki County Council), P. Skoglund (Stratford Borough Council), P. S. Whitcombe, and E. G. Johnston (Taranaki Education Board), E. Holden (Taranaki Hospital Board), Rogers (Egmont County Council), E. 01sen (Inglewood Borough Council), and R Buckley (Moa Road Board). Mr, G. H Richardson, who succeeds Mr. Fowler, was also present. A number of apologies, with accompanying good wishes, were received from other officials unable to be present. When afternoon tea had been partaken of, Mr. F. T. Bellringer, on behalf of the gathering, presented to Mr. Fowler a suitably inscribed gold watch, as a mark of the esteem in which he is held among the officials of the Taranaki local authorities. In making the presentation, Mr. Bellringer expressed the general regret ! felt at the removal of Mr. Fowler. Not | withstanding that it was his privilege to come into the offices and scatter all the nicely-kept books and papers all over the office, so that none knew where to find them after lie had gone, ho always left behind him a feeling of deeper respect for himself and his work, and an appreciation of the manner in which he was always ready to assist officials and the members of their staffs. His duties were not a.'ways pleasant, and though sometimes he had to be severe, he never made himself disagreeable. They all felt glad that promotion had come to Mr. Fowler, and though they might in time forget him as an auditor, they would always remember him as a kind and considerate friend, and they, therefore, wished him the best of good fortune in his new sphere, and hoped the future would be one of prosperity. (Applause.) All the representatives of the local bodies present spoke in appreciation of the courtesy shown to them and their staffs by Mr Fowler, and extended to him their best wishes for his prosperity. Mr. Ellis commented on the fact that Mr. Fowler had been a good citizen in New Plymouth, and hoped that he would identify himself in other places with sports, as he had done in New Plymouth. (Applause.) Mr. Fowler, in responding, said the kind tilings said about him would give him a very much better opinion of' himself than he had had before. In regard to his work lie had always endeavoured first to be thorough, and to do that he found the best way was to give all the help possible to those with whom he had to work. He appreciated the expressions of good-will towards himself, and also the very handsome present made to him, which, he said, was not necessary to remind him of his association with Taranaki. (Applause.) Mr. Bellringer also extended a very conliol w.'l"fuj:o to Mr. Richardson, who suitably acknowledged the same.