RETIRING MESSENGERS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 89, 11 October 1913, Page 9

RETIRING MESSENGERS

i , — — . » ' A FAREWELL GATHERING. . *>' Conviviality marked the gathering at Godber's rooms, Courtenay-piace, last evening, whore a complimentary smoke concert was tendered to the retiring messengers and watchmen of the 'New Zealand Civil Service by other messongers in the Government employ. Captain W. H. Hennah was in the chair. Apologies for non-attendance were received from the Prime Minister (the Hon. W. F. Mas.sey), the Hon. H. D. Bell, Mr. J. Hislop, Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs, and from many heads of various departments. The health of the retiring servants was proposed by the vice-chairman (Mr. F. A. DeatlOj who touched upon the respect in which they were held. Responding, Mr. J. Kerr l remarked that it was well known that a good many messengers were some of the original pioneers of the colony. The speaker expressed his warm thanks to the members of Parliament, and especially the present Government, for all they had done for the messengers. , . Response was also made by Messrs. W. Hunter, T Redmond (who claimed to be the oldest Minister's meoseriger ,in ( the service), W. Spyer, and Amos Wilby, all- of whom dwelt interestingly, on the days when the service was young. Opportunity was taken by the chit* man to eulogise Mr. Allan Orr (mail contractor) for his comradeship, and in replying, Mr. Orr recalled some of bis experiences in connection with his work on, behalf of the drivers' and other organisations, when the drivers were paid a wage of 27s a week Mr. Mahone proposed the health of the chjef messenger, Mr. Peath, who made suitable response. In a motion, which was carried with ' acclamation, the gathering conveyed to the Minister of Internal Affairs the appreciation of the messengers for the coni sideration and kindness extended to them on their retirement. ' , Sir Joseph Ward met with a warm reception when he arrived at the funotioa towards the end of the proceedings. .The Chairman proposed the toast of "Parliament," and Sir Joseph, in reply-, ing, expressed his pleasure, at being present. He had a very warm regard for the old messengers and was glad to bo able to pay a tribute to the valuabla services they had rendered. Themes*e mes* sengers of this country had been a valuable set of men, and many Cabinet Ministers, and other public men were in- ' debted to them for tho faithful way in ■ which they had discharged their duties. He expressed regret that circumstances had necessitated their retirement and that it had been deemed necessary to retire so many of them who were still men of active habits. He wished them a pleasant time in their days of rest, and expressed himself in sympathy. with tho proposal to give the messengers a pension sufficient for them to live on> promising to use his best efforts to further that end. Sir Joseph concluded by proposing the health of Captain Hennah (officer in charge of the Government Buildings), whose services he highly, eulogised. ■* Replying, Captain Hennah' said that everything required of the messengers had been willingly performed. His aim had always been ti> iiuprovo tho lot of the men under him. He had striven^ to treat them in the same manner that, ho himself would like to bo treated. During the evening musical item* were contributed by Messrs. Donaldson; Kerr, Pritchard, Hodgcrs, and Cashman. Mr. Pritchard presided at fcljo piano. Owing to the success of tho 'gathering it was decided to make it an annual attain " " " ■ •" •