OUR NEW POSTMASTER

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 May 1912, Page 3

OUR NEW POSTMASTER

—•’'.fSjvvt*' --- FAREWELL AT HOKITIKA

A large and representative gathering of citizens assembled at Keller’s Hotel, Hokitika, yesterday afternoon, for the purpose of bidding “good-bye”, and making a presentation to Mr. Douglas St. George, prior to his departure for Greymoulh, says the Thins, Mr. George Perry (Mayor) presided. The Chairman, in a felicitous speech, expressed regivt at Mr. St. George’s departure. , lie remarked that their guest, during his nine years residence in the town had ably and conscientiously filled his important 'position with the utmost satisfaction to public. ' Mr. St. George had always carried out his duties ip p tuiiforr.dv courteous iminnev. The paid a tiibpte to Mrs, St. George* and family, ami declared that thev’Vmld be greatly from the town, and he asbed Mr. St. George to convey h : s S-ntiments to his gooel wife. In concluding Ids remarks, Mr. Perry expressed itie hope that Mr. and Mrs. St. George and family would prosper in their new sphere. While expressing sorrow at Mr. St. George’s removal they should• congratulate him on his promotion, which was indeed well deserved.

Mr. Perry, on behalf of the citizens of Hokitika, then handed a present to Me. St, George in the shape of a purse of. sovereigns.

The Mayor’s remarks were supiiPmented by Messrs J. C. Mol troy, J. Grimmond. W. K. Williams, J. Mandl, Wm. Duncan, Rev. Father Clancy, T. E. Y. Sod don, M.P., and several oth-TS. Each of the speakers referred in the highest terms to the neverfailing courtesy and considerations shown by Mr. . St. George in the interests of the general public. Yery complimentary references were also made to Mrs. St. George and family. Mr. Duncan especially spoke in very feeling and flattering terms of “the good lady,” the remarks meeting with the hearty approval of the gathering. The toast “Mr. and Mrs. St. George and family” was dulv honoured.

Mr, Si, George, who was loudly applauded on rising to respond, feelingly replied. He thanked the speakers for their kind expressions towards Mrs. St. George, his family and himself. He was very sorry to be leaving Hokitika, where he had made many warm friends. He was going to take charge of a more important office, hut before leaving the town he desired to express his warm appreciation of the work of an excellent staff. In this connection he v had been very fortunate and the officers, Mr. Clare, and others, had always co-operated to the best of their a Irtitv to bring about a satisfactory condition of affairs as far as the general working of the office was concerned. Mr. St. George concluded by again thanking the citizens for their valuable gift and resumed Ms seat to the accompaniment of a very hearty round of’ applause.

The Chairman then extended a welcome to Mr. St. George’s successor, Mr. G. Enipson. In the course of his reply the latter remarked that his predecessor, judging by the eulogistic expressions of the speakers, was highly esteemed by the citizens of Hokitika,, and he would not have an easy task to, I follow in Mr. St. George’s footsteps. He would endeavour to meet the public in every possible way and any request, providing that it was a reasoni able one and could be granted without lan infringement of the regulations, ! would lie complied with. Mr. Empson then went on to say that he had [ heard a good deal about the West I Coast, and wherever lie had gone he had been informed that the hospitality of the “Coasters” was proverbial. He had been told that the people would extend both hands to him, and so they had He was determined to discharge his duties in a. way that would, call forth the same enconinms as had' that day been passed in reference to Mr. St. George’s work.' He would endeavour to equal his predecessor in this respect, in fact, he would do all he could to surpass him. (Applause). Mr. Empson concluded by thanking the Mayor for his cordial welcome and the gathering then dispersed. Mr. and Mrs. St. George and familyleave for Greymouth b/ this evening's train.