A POPULAR OFFICER

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 118, 12 February 1926, Page 8

A POPULAR OFFICER

MR. P. D. HOSKINS HONOURED

“I have never regretted anything more than this saying of good-bye to a real white man,” said Mr. H. D. Edwards (Controller of the G.P.O. Savings Bank and Accounts Branch), when addressing a gathering of the entire G.P.O. staff, who assembled yesterday to honour Mr. P. D. Hoskins, assistant accountant, on the occasion of his retirement after 35 years’ service. Continuing, Mr. Edwards said that the career of Mr. Hoskins was an example to every member of the staff. The speaker traced the career of the departing officer from his entry to the department as a messenger _ in 1891 until his appointment as assistant accountant, which position he had held since 1913. Mr. Hoskins’s last official act had been to hand the speaker a valuable treatise on the office practice and procedure of the accountancy branch. Mr. Edwards concluded by presenting Mr. Hoskins with a wellfilled wallet, a testimonial which had been contributed to by not only the Wellington staff, but by officials of the accountancy ' and _ other branches throughout the Dominion. An ovation greeted Mr. Hoskins when he began his reply.. He said his relations with the staff had always been of the happiest. Although retiring from the service, he was not retiring from work, as his intention was to enter commercial life in business on his own account. Nevertheless he would .always take a keen interest in the progress of the branch. He thanked them sincerely for their expression of good wishes and token of esteem.

Mr. Hoskins was also the guest of honour at two farewell teas- given by sections of the ladies’ staff.