PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE PRESENTATION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 254, 21 July 1920, Page 3

PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE PRESENTATION

TO Mli. T. S. EONALDSON. Members of the staffs of the head and district offices of the Public Trust Offico gathered in full force yesterday; morning formally to make their adieux to Mr. T. S. Itonaldsou, Assistant Public Trustee, who haa retired from the service on account of ill-health. The Public Trustee (Mr. R. Triggs), in inviting the Minister (Hon. J. G. Ccates) to make a presentation to the retiring ofiicer, said that tho officers of the Department felt that they could not allow the occasion to pass without showing by some tangible means the esteem and respect in which Mr. Eonaldson had been generally held. The Minister said that he could not &ay it gavo him pleasure, to be present when he tecognisecl that the Department was losing tho services of an officer who had been with it so long. It, however, gave him pleasure to be -able to say something about the wonderful work which the institution had done during the time Mr. Eonaldson had been associated with it. Mr. Eonaldson had seen the beginning of the Public Trust .Office and had witnessed and actively participated in its growth to maturity. At the timo of Mr. Eonaldson's appointment the staff numbered six, and to-day tiere was a staff of 660 officers; including district offices in every town of 'any importance in the Dominion. The growth and progress of the office continued and it was intended, as circumstances permitted, to appoint permanent officers to branch offices which would be opened in other places. Mr. Eonaldeon'a activities in the field of sport and the wcial life of the office had been of distinct value. ' Eeference was niado to tho good work lie had done as chairman of the Financial Assistance Board, for which service he had been thanked by the: Government, and decorated by the Ivingr "-{Applause.} •- Incidentally tho Minister referred to the noted efficiency of the Department, and said that lie attributed that to tho personal interest and enthusiasm' of the staff. He had much pleasure in banding Mr. Eonaldson a tangible tribute (a cheque) from the 6taft'.

In replying Mr. Itonnldpon sjjoke feelingly of the friendly relationship "which had existed between himself and tho members of the staff, and added that it was heart-breaking for him to have to leave the office with which he had been associated for so many happy years.