YEARS OF SERVICE

Evening Star, Issue 23335, 3 August 1939, Page 16

YEARS OF SERVICE

MR J. S. SKINNERS WORK ON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT EXPRESSES APPRECIATION Appreciation of the excellent services rendered to tho executive of the Chamber of Commerce by Mi' •). S. Skinner, who retires this year in accordance with the'rules of the chamber after seven years’ service, was expressed by the retiring president (Mr P. O. Smellie) at last night’s annual meeting of the chamber. Four years of Mr Skinner’s services to the chamber had been spent on the executive, he said, and three passing through the, offices of vice-president, president, and immediate past president. His term of office had been marked by energy and sincerity in fostering the work of the chamber, and had been coupled with a fearless expression of his views om any subject under discussion, “ During Mr Skinner’s term of office the Junior Chamber was inaugurated, and its flourishing condition to-day is very largely due to tho interest which he took in its affairs,” said Mr Smellie. “ From the council we lose by rotation Mr W. U. G. Hartley, Mr E. H. Calder, representing the Farmers’ Union, and Mr Jeffrey M. Barnett, representing the Retailors’ Association. All have rendered useful service, and to them we tender our thanks.” Dealing with office matters, Mr ■Smellie referred to Miss Page, who had verv capably filled the position of typist and assistant secretary for eight years, but had resigned to take up another position. At the end of the vear the secretary (Mr H. P. West) had notified the executive that he wished to be relieved of his duties and enter into retirement after 50 years of active service. “ Mr West came to the office as secretary 11} years ago,” stated Mr Smellie. “ This marked a forward step, as prior to that date the secretarial work had always been carried out as a part-time position. In those 11} years the membership increased from 208 to 405. and the income from £409 to £985. In his term of office Mr West has scon 12 presidents como and go. and every one of them at the end of his term paid a well-deserved tribute i , to Mr West’s unfailing courtesy, his

zeal for the welfare of the chamber, and his attention to his duties. I ; uow have pleasure in adding my own tribute to his worth and expressing to hi'm ;tho earnest wish of all of us that be, will be spared to., enjoy for many years the ease and retirement which lie has so well earned. ,v I would finally express our thank's to .those members, of the Government Service who, attend regularly at our coujicii meetings and whose contribution to our discussions is always helpful and who have at all times been ready to assist us with information. I refer to Mr M ‘lsaac, Chief Postmaster, Dir Larsen,, officer in charge of the Internal Affairs Department, and Mr Clark. District Traffic Manager of’Railways,> whose place on his retirement recently was taken by Dir Hargraves.” Dir Smellie also took the opportunity of congratulating the Junior Chamber of Commerce on a successful year. It now had a membership of 110, and if its in embers continued to take the same interest in its work as they had done during fixe.. past year its future was assured. ■