LOYAL SERVICE TO TOWN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 February 1940, Page 7

LOYAL SERVICE TO TOWN

BOROUGH FOREMAN FAREWELLED.

PRESENTATION FROM OUTSIDE STAFF.

The outside staff of the Masterton Borough Council (Works Department) assembled at the Borough yards on Friday afternoon last, to bid farewell to their old and highly-esteemed colleague. Mr T. B. ("Burge”) Braggins, whose well-earned retirement from civic duty, as Borough Foreman, was at the close of the day due to commence.

The Borough Engineer (Mr C. R. Mabson), as chief spokesman, paid special tribute not only to the long and faithful service which ever characterised Mr Braggins’s forty years of service to the town of his youth, but loyalty to the speaker himself. For no less a period, than 34 years of the 40 years since commencing duty with the borough, Mr Braggins had been acting as foreman, and well might he feel proud of lhe progress of the town whose improved thoroughfares, since these more infant days of settlement, were a testimonial, as it were, to himself. That Mr Braggins, in retirement, might as long .enjoy a happy and more leisured life, was the wish of his old associates, who extended a like wish of long life and happiness to Mrs Braggins.

Before making a presentation to their guest on behalf of those assembled. Mr Mabson formally introduced the.jrew foreman, Mr Wally Dale, to their favourable notice as Mr .Braggins’s successor. and trusted he too would enjoy at their hands, a similar measure of loyal co-operation and support as had been extended to Mr Braggins. "On behalf of the staff here assembled,” said Mr Mabson to Mr Braggins. “I ask you to accept this easy chair, and the accompanying case of pipes, as a token of their esteem, and trust you may long enjoy the combined comfort of each, as you smoke the pipe of contentment in your easy chair.”

The Engineer then called for three cheers for Mr Braggins, which were heartily given. All present drank Mr Braggins’s health and sang "For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” The Borough Engineer’s remarks were supplemented by Messrs Paddy Buckley (exmember of the staff) and Andy lorrence.

Mr Braggins, in his reply, thanked the speakers for their remarks so well expressed, and all assembled foi*' the very handsome and useful presents which would ever serve to remind him of his long and happy association with the outside staff in particular, and of their always willing co-operation and loyalty to him. Handing over the keys of office to his successor. Mr Dale. Mr Braggins appealed to all to give his successor the same co-operation as the' had given him as foreman. He was still willing, if Mr Dale desired it at any time to give him the benefit of any advice.

Mr Blackwood's suggestion that the new foreman's health should be toasted, was heartily responded to. after which a photograph of lhe retiring foreman (seated in itis easy chair and smoking one of his new pipes, anc with all old associates grouped round him) was taken as an added souvenir of the occasion. Many anecdotes ot past civic history were related, ere the happy gathering dispersed.

A portable radio set provided unexpected entertainment for passenger: travelling on a bus on the Auckland waterfront road the other afternoon. A party of children, who obviously had a visit to the beach in view, entered the bus. and immediately switched on the set. Musical items helped to fill in the waiting time until the bus was despatched, and later the regatta scene on the harbour attracted the interest of passengers. However, a racing broadcast from Ellerslie again diverted a measure of attention bad. to the radio set, even among' its juvenile owners.