APPRECIATED SERVICES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10063, 8 June 1910, Page 5

APPRECIATED SERVICES.

RETIREMENT OF MR J. C. BODJJINGTON. PRESENTATION AND PURSE OF SOVEREIGNS. A small but representative meeting of citizens was held in Mr j. B. Keith's office yesterday afternoon, at; which Mr J. C. Boddington was present by invitation. T!;s chair was occupied by the Mayor, Mr J. M. Coradine, and there were present as representing tko subscribers to the testimonial, Messrs M. Caselberg, J. H. Murray-Jack-son, J. B. Keith, Jas. Brown, and Dr Archer Hosking. The chairman said that those present were aware of the object of the meeting. Owing to a chance in the administration of the Hospitals and Charitable Aid, new districts had been formed. The old committees of management had been abolished ar,d one Board of Management for the South Wairarapa, Masterton, end Pahiatua Counties had been elected. This necessitated the discharge ox the officers of the old institutions, ana the appointment of oi;e secret.!;y for the combined district?. Mr Boddfogton was one who had to be retired, and as he had been, connected with the institution--the Masterton Hospital, as chairman and secretary-r----for a very long period, and had worked heart and soul in the interest of the Hospitals, It would be very gratifying to him to know that his services were appreciated by th < public of Masterton, and that they were determined not to let !r";n depart without some tangible ackr.cv. - ledgment of their appreciation.- Be, therefore, felt pleasure, in the narae of the public ot Masterton and district. in giving expression to these sentiments, and [in presenting Mr Boddington with the following ■testimonial, accompanied by a purse of sovereigns:—

THE TESTIMONIAL. "Masterton, Jane 7th, 19]0. J. O. Boddicgton Keq., Masterton. Dear .Sir, —When under the Act of last ssssion oi Parliament the management of the Masterton, Greytown anil Pahiatua Hospitals passed into the hands of .the Wairarapa Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, that body decided to appoint Inea! commitlef'S to take up the work of the old independent governing bodies. In Greytown and Pahiatua, but not in Masterton, the committees bo set up were left to select their own secretaries. The Board however, had a special reason for making different arrangements for Masterton, having: decidedfthat its own secretary should also act as secretary to the Masterton hospital Committee. The members of the committee, who had no voice in the matter, ware unanimously of opinion that no change should , r be made that would involve your retirement from the secretaryship of the Masterton Hospital. Moat of them had been members of the Masterton Hospital Trust who knew that you had filled admirably the office of secretary of that institution for many years, and who had every confidence in your energy, ability and discretion.

It is well known in .Masterton that you have taken a»< en 'interest in the affairs of the io;ai Hospital, and that you have done' excellent work on its behalf, both as chairman of|Trustees —for some eighteen'years —and later as secretary.

The action of the Board in appointing another secretary ciune therefore as a surprise not or!;' to the members of the Committee, bet to a large section of trie public, r-nd thefresult has aroused a very strong feeling that the occasion of your retirement should De marked by some expression of sympathy and regret" Mr Boddington, wno wa3 considerably affected, -expressed his heart* felt thanks at the kind expressions of appreciation that had fallen frorn the chairman, and for the testimonial, and the substantia! presentation that had accompanied it. He could not help regretting the occasion i caused it to arise. He had b=eu connected with the Masterton Hospital for thirty years—eighteen of which he was chairman, and twelve a3 secretary. He loved his work, and had taken a pride in carrying our the duties devolving on him. He had been deprived of the position through no fault of Ins own, and against the wishes of the old committee, and naturally ha had felcconsiderably cut up about it. When he joined the Hospital Committee in 1879, it was in its infancy. He referred to the gradual growth of the institution until it had rascltad in the splendid brick building they now possessed, with its excellent staff of nurses and medical officers. He again thanked them for their kind acknowledgements, and resumed his seat amidst applause. Mr M. Caselberg, as one of the old workers on the Hospital Committee, testified to the energetic way Mr Boddington had worked for the Hospital, and helped to briDg it to its present state of efficiency. He regretted the circumstances that compelled his retirement. " » Mr Keith, as chairman of the late Committee, endorsed the remarks of the last speaker, and he was supported by Mr J. H. Murray-Jackson. Dr Archer Hosking also spoke of the good work done by the late secretary; With hearty good wishes from all present, to Mr Boddington, the ceremony came to a close.