MR. ROBERTS LEAVES

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1940, Page 10

MR. ROBERTS LEAVES

FAREWELLS AT HAWERA Congratulations were extended to Mr. C. J. Roberts by a number of South Taranaki bodies during the last day or two upon his acceptance for patrol duty on the ground staff of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Mr. Roberts will leave Hawera this morning for Whenuapai. Good wishes for his future were expressed at a special meeting of the Hawera Borough Council on Monday night by the Mayor, Mr. L. H. Clapham, who congratulated Mr. Roberts upon the step he had taken. Endorsing these remarks, Mr. E. K. Cameron said that during the period Mr. Roberts had lived at Hawera he had proved himself a worthy citizen and had given valuable service to the town in his profession as well as by his personal efforts to assist many worthy causes. Reference to the work of Mr. Roberts was made by the chairman, Cr. W. G. Belton, at a meeting of the Patea County Council yesterday, when the council passed a resolution congratulating Mr. Roberts on the step he had taken, and wishing him success in his new career. Mr. Belton paid a tribute to the interest Mr. Roberts had shown in the affairs of the county, and referred to his compilation of the history of Patea. A gold cigarette case was presented to Mr. Roberts by Mr. D. McCormick, past president of the South Taranaki branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association, at a gathering at the Soldiers' Club, Hawera, last night. Apologising for the absence of the president, Mr. F. C.

Foden, Mr. McCormick said it was the wish of the executive and some of the members of the association, who frequented the club frequently, to make a presentation as a means of tangible appreciation of the services of Mr. Roberts not only as a member of the executive, but also as a vice-president. All appreciated what he had done, particularly on th,e social side, and all had looked forward to him following in the footsteps of Mr. Foden, when the latter retired automatically. He hoped that Mr. Roberts would find his new work congenial, and that it would not be long before Mr. Roberts 'would return to Hawera and assume the position he now held in the club. Messrs. M. C. Crighton, Moller, and H. Briggs also spoke, and Mr. Roberts repiied. Staff members of all departments of the Hawera Star farewelled Mr. Roberts on Monday. The managing-editor, Mr. L. A. Ablett, congratulated Mr. Roberts on his sense of patriotic duty which had prompted him, a returned soldier of the last war, to offer his services again. Best wishes were expressed for the future, and as a token of esteem and goodwill he asked Mr. Roberts to accept a leather dressing case.