AUCKLAND'S POSTAL CHIEF.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 3, 5 January 1922, Page 2

AUCKLAND'S POSTAL CHIEF.

RETIRING OK PENSION. TRIBI'TEfI FROM STAFF. Several hundred member* of the -taff of the General Poet Office. Auckland., representing all brandies of the service in Auckland and district, assembled in the mailruom at 1.15 this afternoon to express esteem of and say farewell to Mr. W. Gee. Chief Postmaster, Auckland, who is retiring upon superannuation after 44 years' service in the department. A number of -ex-officers known all over New Zealand were also present. They were: Messrs. <'. Treweek (late superintendent of telegraphs). F. D. Jluldsworth (late chief postmaster, Auckland), S. F. llas/.ard (late relieving chief postmaster), P. G. Harwood (late assistant postmaster.' Auckland). T. Aitken (late assistant! postmaster, Auckland), ('. Gannaway , (late superintendent of telegraphs. | Auckland i, A. il. Clarke (late chief j accountant. Auckland l. Fred Aber- j crombic (late smperviHor of postmen,! Auckland). T. Kilfoyle (late postmaster, Ncwmaaket), and •'. -I. Kearney la=sis-| taut postmaster, Auckland). -Mr. J. K. j Dickctts, superintendent of the Pacific (able Hoard, wad also in attendance. PRESENTATION SPEECH. 'Mr. R. I). Kelly, who is to succeed Mr. (lee in Auckland, in the course of a , neat speech, said he had known Mr. Gee for many years, and he was a man j who had the confidence cf the administrators of the Post and Telegra.ph Department. Mr. Gee was a man who had helped to build up the good reputation of the Department, and was passing on that, reputation for maintenance by younger men of the Department. It was "a heritage which they should 'he proud to have and to retain. I,ook/.ig round the gathering' then present 'he saw men who were chief postmasters when ho and others were cadets. Mr. Gee had i-omo into contact with most of the officers of I he. Department in New Zealand, and tlie speaker was sure all held him in 're.specl. a:iJ admired him for his good qualilications and for the just manner in which he always acted towards others, "whether inside, or outside. Ihe Department. The speaker proceeded to read a letter from Mr. R. B. Morris, Scrrc.tarv of the General Post Office, Wellington, in which the writer regretted his inability to be present, but conveyed his own and the Department's | appreciation of Mr. (lee's long and honourable record as an offi-cer of the Delpartm»nt. The speaker said this tribute from the .secretary of the Department, who had worked closely with Mr. Gee, wilts a fine compliment. On behalf of the stalT Mr. Kelly had pleasure in presenting Mr. Gee anil Mrs. Gee with a number of handsome gifts, and he hoped they would continue to iprospcr. .(Applause.) Mr. Kelly said he was told Auckland was tlie only place to live in iv New Zealand, and he wns proud of the fact that he was born in this province, lie could assure Mr. Gee that the Auckland iftatT and tlie speaker regretted that the Department was losing an officer of MrGee's calibre. Mr. Jloldswortli said he always considered Mr. Gee v lucky man. because he got a big increase when he came here and then had his district cut in half. (Laughter. I "I hope I will lie when you retire, too, Mr. Kelly," concluded the speaker. Mr. Harwood also extended felicitations on behalf of the staff, and wished Mr. and Mrs. Gee many years of happiness. MR. GEE'S ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. Mr. Gee, on rising to respond, was greeted with applause. He said that although he would be with them tor another six months yet. he was grateful to the staff for their splendid tokens. He considered that the position of Chief Postmaster at Auckland was one of the prizes of the department. I Hear, hear.) Personally he had not the slightest objection to going out on retirement, as ho considered his period of service entitled him to some rest now. Before he came to Auckland he was told it was the best

run office in Now Zealand, and he had found this to he true. A great deal of credit was duo lo the men themselves, but particularly to the executive staff, which was: a big factor in successful management. The executive had saved him a considerable lot of time and worry. There were two points he wanted to make for the beneiit of the rank and tile, tine was that he did not think it wise to advocate putting men out of the service after 40 years therein. A man who was 5(1 years ot age was not unlit, and they would realise that it was only about that time a man began to save money for the future. On the other hand, he might lind at the time that he did not have enough to keep him. The other point which seemed to be in the minds of the younger members of the staff was that promotion should be according to merit This was difficult and undesirable in a large public department. It was po.-sibk with ordinary business firms, but h, did not think it was usual even there to give, promotion according to relativi merit. It would not work out well foi many of those who supported its adop tion. Finally, Mr. Gee thanked th: donors again, and for Mrs. Gee, win was present. Cheers were given for tin recipients. Tiic gifts included a Dnnhill pipe ii boN. two antique Eastern vases, bras, clock, and for Mrs. (lee v bcautifu Doulton tea set and oak stand.