BON VOYAGE TO MR M. J. DOYLE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 12 April 1926, Page 8

BON VOYAGE TO MR M. J. DOYLE.

ENTERTAINED BY THE HERALD „ STAFF.

The Stafford Tea Rooms were the scene of a very pleasant gathering on Saturday evening, when the combined .stall's of the “Timaru Herald’’ Company met to wish bon voyage and a sale' return to Mr and Mrs M. J. Doyle, on the occasion ol departure on an extended tour ot England and the Continent. Among the invited guests were Mr A. E. Kerr, a directoi of tile Company, Air T. Doyle, manager of tho “North Otago limes, and Air IV C. Freeth, who is taking over the editorship ol that journal. Air A. E. Lawroiice, editor ol 'lhe Herald,” who presided, read apologies for several members ol tile staff and country correspondents who were unable to be present, lie said that the staff in tendering Air Doyle a sendoff social and presentation desired to express their .sincere goodwill and hearty good wishes. Mr Doyle had made a wonderful success of ’‘The Herald,” and, it must be a source ol satisfaction to him to realise that after so many years,of . strenuous endeavour he could go away lor an extended trip abroad, lolly cinilident that the .splendid organisation lie. had created would run like a well-oiled machine. Every colonial-born citizen cherished the fond hope to some day visit tlie old Land, and Air Doyle should he looking forward with a good deal of pleasure to the trip he was about to make, after so many‘real's’ solid work. Throughout the country there was a feeling of gratitude to “The Herald” Company for the highly appreciated service they were providing, and in both town and country the results of Air- Doyle's work could be seen.

Air Lawrence went on to sny that in St. Paul’s Cathedral there was a simple brass tablet bearing a, simple inscription. That- was the only monument that laid been considered necessary to honour the genius of Sir .Christopher Wren who conceived thatarchitectural masterpiece. 1 Translated, tho inscription read: “If you seek his monument look around.” The .same could be said of Air' Doyle's organising genius, his 'business ability and his foresight and faith in the future of the district. In Timaru Mr Doyle had built up a- circulation for “The Her; 1 ,Id” which constituted a world’s record, since there were more papers sold in the borough than chore were residences. The mail services that had been conceived by Air Doyle were a masterly achievement. Recent, visitors from London, who had made several journeys by the mail ears, had expressed the highest admiration for the liighly-efticient manner in which the newspaper delivery and rural mail service wore conducted. They had commended “The Herald’' Company on its enterprise, and congratulated the country residents of South Canterbury on their good fortune in having such a well-conducted and extensive newspaper delivery and rural mail .service. Quoting from the apologies tendere.l by the country correspondents. All 1 Lawrence read the following extract: “The residents of the Mackenzie County : recognise (lie •progressive policy of ‘Tlie Fier i Id’ Company, and are. specially grateful for the splendid mail service which enables ‘The Herald’ to arrive at Fairlie at 8 n.m. instead of the previous arrangement b.v . which the daily paper arrived at any odd time, usually at 7 p.m.” That tribute to the .successful outcome of the progressive policy of tho Company was reiterated by residents in all parts of ■ the district. In the wide expanse of territory from the boundary of South Canterbury in tlie north to the AVaitaki river in the south, from the sea o the foothills of the Alps iii the west, the motor delivery services initiated and extended by: ..“The Herald” Company operated every morning—an efficient and ' highlyappreciated service, thus if they sought a monument to Air Doyle’s achievement in hcw.spnpor. organisation they had but to look- around them and see tho service “The Herald” Company Was rendering to the people of South, Canterbury. Air Lawrence congratulated All 1 anil Airs Doyle on tlie well-earned holiday they wore about to take, and he assured Mr Doyle of the genuinely expressed hope ot all associated with “The

‘ I" that he would return with health fully restored after a most enjoyable trip. • Mr R. G. (Con*, managing director, stated that lie wished to apologise for iho absence of Mr C. K. Kerr, who owing to indisposition, unfortunately wn.s unable to attend. He had very much pleasure in being present on behalf of the directors * and shareholders to wish MY Doyle a pleasant trip and a .safe return. From his personal knowledge of the Old Country he left sure that lie would benefit considerably from the trip and would gain a wonderful experience that would stand 1 ini in very good .stead upon lii.s return. Air Doyle had been connected with the “Timaru .Herald” Company for twenty-five rears, during which ti lie lie had performed wunderlill .service or Uio Company. He him.sell looked upon Mr Doyle ns his right linjid iikui—a man whom flic directors "'••re thoroughly proud of, and in whom they had the greatest confidence. Although pleased to see him taking a well earned holiday, anti wishing both he and Mrs 'Doyle a very enjoyable trip, the directors would no doubt lie particularly ' pleased to welcome him home again. (Applause.) Called upon to speak on behalf -of the staff, Mr C. K. Hassall, sub-editor, said that, he felt eousidei'ahle diffidence in making what must he an inadequate attempt to voice the regard in which they held Mr Doyle, but be could not esteem it other than an honour to be deputed to act as the mouthpiece of the combined stall's in wishing godspeed to the guests of the evening. 'I he privilege had been conferred on him probably owing to his having had more varied experience and more years of service than most of them. The speaker briefly sketched Mr Doyle’s rapid rise in the employ of the “Herald'’ Company, "which he had joined as clerk, quickly succeeding to positions of book-keeper, accountant, ijlvcrtusing manager, general manager, and finally, in addition, being appointed a director. During his association with th<» paper Mr Doyle had witnessed remarkable progress. The size of the paper laid quadrupled, tile eircula( ion had considerably more than trebled, and (lie “Herald’’ had made wonderful strides in public estimation. Their guest had been largely responsible i'oi making the' “Herald’’ one of the foremost provincial papers in New Zealand, for the inauguration and success of a delivery service which sot. (he standard for the Dominion, and still was one of the most extensive in Australasia. During Ids term the Company had launched out and acquired journals in sister towns, notably the “North Otago Times” (Oamaru). which was forging steadily ahead. The activities of the proprietary had not been altogether confined to journalism, as that imposing pile known as Tekiipo lluildings amply testified. In his endeavours 'to promote the interests of the Company Air Doyle in his earlier years hail hunted the candle at both eml.s-—particularly the midnhrhf end—and to this some part ol his lire sent indisposition might he due. The speaker assured him that in* had the sincere sympathy of the whole staff in his lap>e from health, and evpressef! their united hone ihrl niter h’s extended holiday in Britain they would

be able to welcome him hack, refreshed in body and spirit; to,, assist in givihg tiie “Herald” another shove, up the hill of progress ami prosperity. In hi to years Air Doyle’s 'relations with tie staff had grown happier and happier, ami tiic speaker expressed the conviction that this had been increasingly apparent since be renounced thVf joys (or woes) ot single blessedness. As his family grew around him, Air Doyle like other people, was inevitably, able fully to sympathise with the trials ami tribulations of bis fellows.

This brought to mind the fact fliat it was not only Air Doyle to wfiorn they were wishing.: au re voir 'that' nigiit. Being of a retiring disposition, Airs Doyle bad not obtruded herself in office affairs, but:she- coujd not haye spent so many days and nights within sound of the telephone bell without learning .something of the calls of the business, and her cheerful disposition must have done much to sustain her husband during his strenuous years of work and in liis illness. Air Ha.ssall concluded by convoying to Air and Airs 1 Doyle the united wish of the staff that' they would have a pleasant voyage, a delightful holiday in the Old Laeid,

and that both would return renewed'jii. vigour and health. In asking Air Doyle to accept a substantial cabin Trunk, Air Lawrence said the gift carried with it tlie good wishes of the staff. He likened it is Pandora's Box and ho hoped that every time Air Doyle opened the trunk he would draw from, it., tlie fragrance of the goodwill which - had prompted the staff to tender him a social evening and make him a presentation. To Airs Doyle the staff offered a. New Zealand-made travelling rug. Ik' suggested that Airs Doyle would regard the rug a.s a. gift possessing the qualities of the Alhgici l Carpet which the son of the Sultan of-fndih in “The Arabian Nights” cherished so much. He hoped that- as Mrs Doyle used the rug she would not''only feel the radiating warmth of the- good wishes of tlie staff,- but that the rug’ like the Alagic Carpet would often transport diet' ,(thoughts hiime ft<i New Zealand Where kindly hearts wished her well. The staff hoped that the trip would he thoroughly enjoyable, that the holiday spent in distant-lands would be in oveiy wnv beneficial, and that Air Dovlo would return completely restored in health. On rising to reply Air was greeted by sustained applause. ’ Ho ' said that although lie had bad soino expedience in public speaking be lcjt on that- occasion nothing which he might say could adequately-express his feelings, or his appreoiucitmmf the good wishes and loyal sentiments that "ere associated with tlie presentation made to him that evening. He would, however remind them that the “Herald” was not a one man paper. He bad behind him the wholehearted backing and co-operation of the managing director and'the other directors throughout, in addition-to tlie directors, be also had a vorv loyal staff behind him, and the phenomenal success of the paper was largely diie' 1 to the very harmonious manner in winch all had pulled together. Fl e wished to •thank the staff for their kind expressions of goodwill on behalf of Mrs Doyle and himself, for their uselul presents. He could assure tiicin tluit the valuable and verv useful mementoes ot the occasion with winch they had presented him i ould always serve to remind him of the vei-y pleasant relations that existed between the management and staff. (Applause.) As Air Doyle resumed his seat he was accorded three hearty cheers and musical honours. file remainder of tho evening v. as occupied with ,a euchre tournament and music, a very pleasant, social evening terminating shortly after eleven O dock with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.” • . During Mr Doyle’s absence Air E G. Kerr will take over the duties or general manager.