RETIRING SECRETARY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18263, 23 December 1924, Page 16

RETIRING SECRETARY.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TRIBUTE. Mr H. Antill Adley, -who is retiring from the position of secretary of thr- Cai-terbury Chamber of Commerce after twenty-six years of service, was at last night's meeting of the Council of that, body made the subject of eulogistic remarks in respect of his devotion to duty, the occasion Being aJso taken to make him a presentation. The president, Mr W. Machin, said tTiat Mr Adley, -who was secretary of the Fire Underwriters' Association, as well as of the Chamber, had found when the latter body had decided to leave the premises of the Underwriters' Association to occupy a '"home of its own." that he could not successfully conduct the two secretaryships in the circumstances, and had therefore resolved to stay in the employ of the Association. Mr Machin paid a generous tribute to Mr Adlev's service of thirty-five years on behalf of the Chamber, of which period, be said, nine years had been spent with Mr James A. Bird, late secretary to the Chamber. Mr Adlev. he continued, was unparalleled as a recording secretary—thero was nothing that took place at a meeting which he overlooked. After such a remarkable period of service, it was fitting that the Chamtar should do him the honour due to him. Mr E. H. "W'yles, an ex-president, that it was not given to manv men to occupy such a position as Mr Adley had occupied for such a long time. Mr Adley had gained the esteem of all connected with the Chamber. He had been courteous at all times, and was always imbued with a hich sense of dntv. The speaker hoped that Mr Adlev would long be spared to give service to the business community of Christchurch. Mr P. Davidson said that to be president of the Chamber must always have been a comparatively light duty with Mr Adlev a 9 secretary. He trusted Mr Adlev would long be spared to Christchurch. Mr P. H. Harris, on behalf of-the Underwriters' -Association, said that the Chamber was to be congratulated on acquiring new premises. He was sorry that the Chamber had 1 been lost to the Association as tenants, hut he was glad Mr Adlev had been left to them, as that gentleman was unexampled as a secretary of Underwriters', Associations in the Dominion. In handing Mr Adley a cheque for a substantial sum, the president said that'the cheque was something mort» than that—it was also a mark of the esteem in which Mr Adlev was held by the Chamber, and a tribute to tjie affection members had for him. Resnonding, Mr Adlev said that he had always endeavoured to do his duty to the Association. After relating some earlv reminiscences of his connexion with the Chamber, he said that with one exception he had the longest association with a Dominion Chamber of Commerce as secretary. That exception was Mr Peter Barr, who had been secretary of the Dur.edin Chamber for 32 years, and was now its president. He congratulated the Chamber on its move to more up-to-date premise?, and trusted its career would be n. successful one. He was thankful, for the courtesies extended him by the various chairmen of the Chamber, and bv the members. The president said that be would not formally move a vote of thanks to the Underwriters' at the present meeting for its consideration or tlie Chamber as tenants. Tn its new premises th© Ohatnber wf>vil<l "perform a number of courtesies, and the occasion would, be taken -to refer to the matter then. Mr 'P. R. Climie secretary and organiser of the Canterbury Progress League, has, been appointed ag Mr Adley's successor.