Staff, Stockmen and Farmers Farewell Mr. Munro, Matawhero

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22852, 24 January 1949, Page 4

Staff, Stockmen and Farmers Farewell Mr. Munro, Matawhero

With the impending departure of Mr. H. G. C. Munro from this district after serving the farming community for six years as stationmaster at the Matawhero railway station, the railway staff, stock agents and farmers have been giving him a round of farewells. Mr. Munro leaves Gisborne transferred on promotion to Te Kuiti as goods clerk.

The first of the series of farewells was organised by the staff of the station at Matawhero. The goods shed was decorated for the occasion and there was an attendance of about 50. Mr. J. Tutty, senior clerk, on behalf of the staff, congratulated Mr. Munro on his promotion and referred to the pleasant working conditions at Matawhero under the direction of the guest of honour. He then presented Mr. Munro with a wallet. Mr. Munro replied suitably. , , , Auctioneers, stock agents and clerks met Mr. Munro at the Matawhero saleyards recently to farewell him informally, and Mr. W. Newcomb was invited to represent the carriers. Mr. J. Benson, on behalf of the stock agents, snoke in high terms of Mr. Munro’s abilitv in the handling of stock consigned to other parts of the island, and said it would be difficult for the department to fill the vacancy at Matawhero as suitably. He congratulated Mr. Munro on his promotion and made a presentation to him as a small token of the esteem in which Mr. Munro was held by the representative gathering. A gathering of 40 farmers and thenwives from Matawhero and the surrounding districts met Mr. and Mrs. Munro at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. G Kemp, The Willows, on Wednesday evening. There were a number of apologies for absence. The function took the form of a musical evening. Messrs. S. McGuinness and W. C. Pilmer spoke highly of the service Mr. Munro had given farmers of the district, and Mr. H. D. C. Lange, m making him a presentation of a cheque, referred also to the loss that would be felt by the departure of Mrs. Munro. She had taken a prominent part in the Women's Institute and social functions of the district. In his reply, Mr. Munro said they felt it would be a definite break to leave Gisborne, but that it was necessary to accept transfers when promotions were due. He thanked the speakers for their kind references. A special vote of thanks was accorded Mr. and Mrs. Kemp for the use of their home for the occasion.