TRIBUTES PAID TO RETIRING TOWN CLERK

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 May 1949, Page 2

TRIBUTES PAID TO RETIRING TOWN CLERK

“I have everywhere heard expressions of goodwill towards Mr Denton and it is a great tribute to him that he has been able to maintain that goodwill over a period of 38 years as Town Clerk,” said the Mayor (Mr F. F. Boustridge), at a function arranged by the Greymouth Borough Council staff to farewell Mr F. H. Denton who officially commenced his retirement yesterday. , ~ Mr Boustridge recalled the valuable service Mr Denton had given in patriotic duties during both wars, mentioning that he had been present in person every time a group of men was farewelled or had returned during the last war. Before proposing a toast to Mr and Mrs Denton, the Mayor wished them both a happy and healthy retirement for many years to come and expressed the hope that they might continue to receive the goodwill of Greymouth, which they had so honestly Mr A. F. Fairmaid, borough engineer, said that he had been associated with Mi- Denton over the past 23 years and throughout that period his association had always been the happiest. On behalf of the council employees he presented Mr Denton with a silver engraved cigarette case and Mrs Denton with a Royal Albert tea-set. Mr Boustridge also presented Mr Denton with a cheque on behalf of the council.

Mr R. 5. Meech, of the Audit Department, stated that from the clerical point of view, over Mr Denton’s period of service, not one balance sheet had been returned with other than minor comment.

Mr J. Griffen on behalf of the outside employees endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers and wished Mr and Mrs Denton a very happy retirement.

In toasting the new Town Clerk (Mr N. E. Clemens), Mr Boustridge referred to the high standard set by his predecessor and the responsibilities of his office stating that the council believed it had found a worthy successor who would carry on the office in the same efficient manner as Mr Denton.

Mr Clemens said that he realised the responsibilities of the office’ before he accepted the position, but what he did not realise was the high standard set in the duties carried out by Mr Denton and it would be his object to maintain that high standard. “At the how I could possibly be the genial how I could posisbly be the genial personality that Mr Denton is now,” concluded Mr Clemens.

Mr Denton then proposed a toast to the health of the council staff and to the future of Greymouth.