BUSINESSMEN’S TRIBUTE TO OFFICIAL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22663, 14 June 1948, Page 6

BUSINESSMEN’S TRIBUTE TO OFFICIAL

“NEVER RATTLED IN EMERGENCY”

“Xlifi RE have been more than the average number of emergencies

cropping up in this district in the past year or two, and business interests have had to call upon the Railways Department for close anisation of transport. The success

and speedy co-operation in the orgi with which that co-operation has been effected, at all times, has been largely due to the efficiency of Mr. Eosoman, in his capacity of chief clerk at the Gisborne station,” said Mr. F. Tolerton, presiding at a gathering sponsored by Gisborne business interests on Friday night to farewell Mr. J. E. Rosoman, on the eve of his departure for Otaki on promotion to stationmaster’s rank. Ability and Experience For the past 10£ years Mr. Rosoman has been closely associated with various groups of businessmen in this district, and his promotion has given much satisfaction to those who have long recognised his ability and experienced his invariable courtesy. Speakers at Friday night's gathering emphasised his capacity to handle every type of situation with aplomb and dispatch. Several of the speakers, who included Messrs, R. G, Clare, I. C. Davis, J. A. Booth. J, Benson, C. E. Mackley, K. W. Bull and F. H. G. Galvin, mentioned that on occasions their guest had been subjected to heavy pressure, and more than one confessed that patience had been less marked on their side than on Mr. Rosoman's. His strong sense of the obligations of the department to its customers had been exemplified on all occasions. "There are many public servants who can be described as models of efficiency in their departmental duties, but it is only in an emergency when communications are shaky or makeshift, when wagons are scarce, and when claims for attention are pouring in from all directions, that their true value to the community is recognised,” said one speaker. . "We have had frequent opportunity to judge Mr. Rosoman in such circumstances, and it stands to his credit that he has never been rattled. He has al-

ways delivered the goods ,and he has done credit to his department in every circumstance ” _ The gathering tendered congratulations to Mr. Rosoman upon his new appointment and welcomed his successor in Gisborne, Mr. A. W. Hearie. Co-operation With Customers The tributes to the departing officer were warmly supported by Mr. H. Crawford, stationmaster at Gisborne, who stated that he had had an excellent opportunity to appreciate both Mr. Rosoman’s personal efficiency and his gift for maintaining an excellent spirit of co-operation with the business interests of the town. "If I have been able to do anything to keep relations good between the department and its customers I have only been doing the job for which the department appoints its officers," said Mr. Rosoman in acknowledging the tributes. “We have not been able to meet all the requirements of the Gisborne people, but we have done our best. You can always rest assured that that is what the department wishes. I have the warmest feelings of appreciation for. the co-operation given to us. on their side, by members of the business community here." Presentation by Station Staff At a station gathering on Thursday, Mr. Rosoman was met by fellowmembers of the railway staff at Gisborne and was.the recipient of a handsome presentation, to commemorate his 104 years’ service in this district. About 150 railwaymen were present, and the stationmaster at Gisborne, Mr. 11. Crawford, congratulated Mr. Rosoman on his promotion and spoke of the loss that would be sustained by the Gisborne office by his transfer. Several other speakers, representing all branches of the local staff of the Railways Department, spoke in similar strain. Replying, Mr. Rosoman thanked those assembled for their good wishes and stated. he had always had the full cooperation of all other branches of the service, a position which made his 'ob in Gisborne so much easier.