VALEDICTORY

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 May 1925, Page 2

VALEDICTORY

MR. C. A. MATHIESON.

, - W ' 'p. ‘ r Mr. C.-A. .-Mathieson, who has.been Chief -’Postmaster at Greymouth; for the past year, and ■ who has ■ been transferred to the Chief Postmastership at Napier, was entertained yesterday by the Solo Chib, aiid presented with a case Of pipes; The pteseiitatipn Was tirade by Mr*; &, J 4; Ddogari; who -Vdifiedtlffi rbgr.et ■ tii.h kfoinyid’B of the Ciu.b f 611 jit iosifig tfieii- ’ guest. During Mr. short residence in Gfeymoutji; he hdd proved himself an enthusiast in all that made for wholesome community life. As an official, he had been courteous and helpful to the public, as a citizen he had been exemplary, and as a private individual, a sterling man. The Club regretted losing his comradeship and Wished him to £l6= cept their gift as d reniihdef bf hffiiiy pleasant hours spent witli tlie Club; which wished him, Mrs. -Mathieson, and ■ their family, every. success and happiness in the future. Mr. Mathieson thanked the Club for its gift, but did not need any. souvenir to remind him of the good friends he had made on the anuch'-maligned West Coast. If he could meet such a spleii= did Spirit ih Napier ds lie had foutid in Gtey he would be (juite satisfied With the transfer, which Was fairly substantial for him. Later Mr; Mathieson was met by the United Football Club and presented with a case of Loewe pipes. Mr. 'A. A. Adams presided. In making the (presentation, Mr. Adams said that the United Club felt itself under a deep-debt of gratitude to- their guest for all he 'had done- to assist it, doth by good advice and coaching;. They-regretted the departure o«* one so well versed in ahd sc enthusiastic about Rugby football. During Mr. Mathieson’s short stay in Greymouth he had been a tower of strength to Rugby. He was- going to one of the strongest Rugby centres-in New Zealand, and the Coast’s loss would be a distinct gain to Napier Rugby. He 1 hoped Mr. Mathieson would like the change to the North, and that he, his wife, and family, would enjoy good health and happiness there. Mr. Mathieson, replying, said he was glad to have been of assistance to - the United Club. He was a very old - Rugby- player, and his years o£ connection with the game only confirmed him in the opinion that “there ' was! nothing like' Rugby.” ‘‘Never mind what comes, keep the Rugby flag: flying on the West Coast,” said Mr. Mathieson. He thanked them for their useful gift and good wishes, and her Wished to state that he would follow with interest the doings of the United Club, to which he wished to become an honorary member. Messrs W. H. Parfitt, T. Ryan, and M.' Corliss spoke in support of the chairman’s remarks, adding their appreciation of Mr. Mathieson’s interest in Rugby. evening Mr Mathieson was the guest of the staff of the Greymouth ’ Post and Telegraph Office. Air G- 8. Fruit, who presided, said they had met to say ‘‘good-bye” to their ‘Chief’ who, though with them for «i comparatively short time only, had J now their highest esteem. They wished to record a testimony to his courteous and wise control of the staff; and his kindly to remedy wrorigs and remove anomalies, which were always found to exist among big staffs. Whilst he was a strict disciplinar'ian and a “tJger to work,” be had ibeen just in his ruling; and had won the confidence of the wEd'e staff. While they generally ‘ regretted his removal, they heartily congratulated him-on his very substantial promotion. He was still a young man, and it was the earnest hope of the Grey staff that he would-be spared to-oc-cupy the highest administrative position .the service had to give. On behalf of the staff he had pleasure tn asking Mr Mathieson to accept a set of cut glass decanters and a pipe. The staff wished him and his family every happiness and future prosperity. Messrs Uody (Savings Bank), Sullivan (clerical) and Graham (mail room) each -spoke supporting the chairman. - In 1 acknowledging the jiresentation, Mr Mathieson said he was pleased to learii of the happy feeling the staff had for him. and to know that fie had been able to help them over their “little hurdles.” The Chief Postmaster’s‘position was not always a bed of roses. It was sometimes necessary to be severe and reprimand a member of lhe staff. In doing this he tried always to do it in love, and to be just, fair and helpful. He wanted to see all the men under him progress and move to higher positions. His staffhad. pleased him, and he bad no regrets in having come to Greymouth. He, however, had many regrets in \saying ‘‘good-bye” to them. Tlo thanked, them for their good wishes and for .all the kind things they had said about him, and for their loyalty to him during his term as their head. Air Alathieson and h.s family left for Napier this morning.