WAIHO EN FETE

Grey River Argus, 6 December 1932, Page 2

WAIHO EN FETE

POPULAR RESIDENTS Messrs Carroll and Green Honoured Waiho spread itself out ou Saturday evening to do honour to two of the best known members of the Public Works Department staff in South West land, when a large gathering of residents in South Westland met to show their goodwill to Messrs Michael Carroll and James Green. The Thompson Memorial Hall was brightly decorated for the event, and visitors were present from Greymouth, and the intermediate places right down to Mahitahi. Proceedings were, commenced with dancing and musical and elocutionary numbers, and .just prior to supper the guests of the evening were made recipients of presentations. Mr T. A. Johnston, District Engineer of Public Works, presided, and in his opening remarks said: “We are here to-night to show our regard and appreciation for one who needs no introduction. This large and representative gathering speaks for itself. We are here to pay a well-earned tribute to Mr Carroll and to do honour to one who has rendered such conspicuous service to South Westland. I know that there are many who would have liked to have been with us to-night, but who, for various reasons, have been unable to come. I have much pleasure, however, in reading certain telegrams and letters which 1 have received. Mr Carroll first joined the Public Works Department in 1905 and for the past years has had continuous service as foreman and overseer. During that long period’ he has been the sole representative of the Department in the supervision and construction of the arterial roads and track and other works over the 140 miles of country between Waiho, the Haast Pass and Jackson’s Bay. Anyone who has ridden the south trails to the Haast and Copland knows the difficulties and dangers associated with these isolated works. As you are. all aware, Mr Carroll weighs in well on the scales, and in so far as the Department is concerned he has been a big man with a big heart for a tough job. I am sure, Mr Carroll, that on the occasion of your retirement you must feel a considerable amount of satisfaction in the fact that the services you have rendered to the settle:ments and to the State have materially assisted in the development of South ■ Westlaud and have given the settlers encouragement to carry on their splendid pioneering work under conditions of remote locality which have possibly no jiarallel in New Zealand, As the representative of the Public Works, I wish to assure you that the loyal, faithful and efficient service which you have given has been of the greatest value to the Department. In this connection we realise the important part played by Mrs Carroll. You have certainly been at home sometimes, but your various absences have been often long and uncertain and she has been left to keep the home fires burning :iu»i oti many

occasions, after heavy rains and with the rivers in flood, to anxiously await your return. After all, it is the pluck and courage of the women of South Westland which command our respect and admiration. My predecessors and myself have always felt that we could rely on your experience and sound judgment in all eases of emergency and nt these times you have shown that initiative and resourcefulness that has meant so much to all concerned. Apart from the settlements you have played an important part in the development of the tourist resorts at tho Franz. Josef and Fox Glaciers and also in the Copland Valley. Any work to develop and to improve the access to these gems of the south is in my opinion one of national importance. Ono does not require to be very farseeing to appreciate th.- potentialities of the wonderful natural heritage embraced in these resorts. The part you have played in providing access to them should earn for yon the heartfelt thanks not only of New Zealanders but of the increasing numbers from abroad who will bo able to see the unsurpassed beauty of tho lakes, bush, mountains and glaciers of South Westland.. On behalf of the settlers, the Westland County Council, the Public Works staff, and others, 1 would ask you to accept this gold watch and chain ns a token of appre-

ciation of the valuable services you have rendered and of the high regard in which you are held. To Mrs Carroll, yourself and family we wish all that is best. I would also ask Mrs Carroll to accept this painting of your home by the well-known New Zealand artist. Miss Ethel Ttichardson. ”

The gold watch was engraved as fol lows: “Presented tn Michael Carroll by the settlers and Public Works staff on his retirement. Westland 1932.” Prior to making the presentation. Mr Johnston read the following appreciative letters: —

“I should be glad if on my behalf you would please convey tn Mr Carrnll at this evening’s function my personal appreciation of the valuable services he hns rendered to the Department, over a long period nnd my sincere good wishes for his future welfare. As the Department’s sole representative in far South Westland his position has called for exceptional personal qualities of initiative and loyalty. The supervision of tho long south trail can have been no erfsv task but in the performance of that task Mr Carroll has acquitted himself well. (Signed) .T. G Coates (Min-i-dor of Public Works).”

“Would like to ioin with von in bidding farewell to Mr Carrnll whose record in Department has boon excellent. Ho has boon capable officer and De......tmont r oe,-..ts losing his services. Officers hero join with mo in wishing

him hnnplno=s nnd success for future. tSignofl) C .1. McKenzie (Enginoor-in-Chiof nnd Tinder-Secretary, Public Works Department).” “On tho occasion of his retirement

please convey to Mr Carroll, Mrs Watkinson’s and my best wishes for tho future. We hope that he will bo long spared to enjoy his retirement. On the trail early and late, in spite of the weather and flooded rivers, Midnight Mick has been a credit to tho Department and will ho hard to re

place. I trust ho will now have time to learn to play forty-fives. (Signed) 11. Watkinson (District Engineer, Tan ranga).” “On the eve of your retirement, 1 would like to wish you tho very best of good luck for the future for you and vour«. D is a very great pleasure to in, \, . >‘.’!i i.ssociated with you

both direct I}’ as District Engineer ami indirectly as Inspecting Engineer. 1 know the hardships that yon have endured and tho strenuous life you have lived in the far south and 1 also know the loyal and valuable service that you have given to tho Department, dur ing all those years. I have often eon siderod that your position would be one of the hardest to fill on your retirement and I am sure your successor will have a high standard to follow. May 1 suggest, too, that, in some respects you are to be envied in retiring with tho esteem and respect of all your associates, both official and private, and after bearing the heat ami burden of the day it is my earnest wish that you may long survive to enjoy a little of the leisure which did not often come your way in official days. In conclusion, may I thank yon] for the great assistance and help 1 have always received from you and thp many acts of thoughtfulness and kindness which both my brother officers and I always experienced when on the trail with you.—Yours sincerely (Signed) n. 11. Sharp (Inspecting Engineer, Wellington). ” ” Having learned of your retirement from the Public Works Department, the Council at its meeting this week placed on record appreciation of your long and faithful public service, at. tho same time acknowledging your many courtesies to the Council in regard to special attention or reports on local body works in your extensive district. Your help in that respect was much appreciated. Now that you arc retiring, the wish was expressed that you would enjoy the rest you have so well earned, and that along with your wife and family you would have many happy days in store for you. Associating myself with the appreciation and good wishes expressed (Signed) D. J. Evans (Westland County Clerk).” Messages of good wishes or apology for absence were also received from Mr Jas. O’Brien, M.P., Mr T. Cagney (Commissioner of Crown Lands), Mr and Mrs J. Cron (Haast), Mr J. Donovan (Okarito). Mr V. C. Curtis (Whangarei), Alias Fitzgerald (Christchurch), Dr. E. Teichelmann (Hokitika), Mr C. Morison (Hokitika), Messrs M. Fitzgerald and T. Seebeck (Otira), C. Neville (Hokitika), W. Millner (Kanieri). Air J. A. Alurdoch (chairman of the Westland County Council), AL Sullivan (Weheka), Peter Graham (Waiho) and Schilling (Waiho) added their eulogies to those of the Chairman. In the course of his remarks Air Murdoch said he much regretted that Air

Evans, Clerk of the County Council, had not been able to accompany the party to Waiho. lie was glad to say Mr Evans had made a wonderful recovery from his recent long illness and was bark again at work in tin l County office. He knew Mr Evans would have wished particularly to have had the opportunity of attending the function to sav ”au revoir’’ to his old friend, Afick Carroll. He had noticed with interest and pleasure that many of the letters referring to Mr Carroll had come from tho “heads” of departments. Tie (the speaker) had that day received one from the mon, which AL Carroll would value very highly; it was that if all overseers had followed the principle followed by Mr Carroll, it would be better for the employees of tho Department. All felt that Air Carroll possessed good judgment and he had used it at all times to the advantage of the Department he served ami also to the advantage of the Westland county. Air Carroll’s route in South Westland had been a long one, made the more difficult owing to it going from Waiho down into the “Never Never Land” away down south where want of bridges over turbulent rivers, and reading problems in the sparsely populated areas, made matters extremely difficult. Under his guidance, however, they could see a great improvement to-day from what obtained in bygone days. The local bodies as well as the Department and the settlers knew Mick would always do the best thing, and do it well. Tn the name of the Westland County Council he wished to thank Air Carroll for his good work and to wish him happiness and health in his retirement. Air M. Sullivan said he had known Air Carroll all his life. He found him always fair and scrupulously honest, and considerate and generous to employees. On his first job he had worked under the supervision of Air Carroll. Tie was retiring with tho goodwill of every settler in the district.

Air Peter Graham said it was given to very few men to accomplish what Air Carroll had done and done well. Ho was a South Westland boy and had grown up in the district, was a credit to it, and they were proud of him. On behalf of Waiho he wished Air and Airs Carroll every happiness and good fortune which the future might hold for them.

In rising to reply, Air Carroll was greeted with prolonged applause, and the lusty singing of “For He’s a Jollv Good Fellow,” expressed his appreciation of thp presents which had been made to him and to Airs Carroll, all of which they would treasure. Thp kind sentiment which had accompanied the gifts, expressed by Air Johnston and the other speakers, were much mor' 1 than he had ever deserved, his onlv desire having been from the beginning to the end of his career with the Department tn dn hi<s dutv as conscientiously nnd usefully as it was possible for humans to do. Tn ho told that h n had in a measure attained his ideal was thanks enough without any handsome presents such ns he had received.

to supplement what had been said. Looking back over his period of 27 years’ service perhaps he had had some severe tests put on. his resources and determination One could not tell what would be required as storm and rain did its havoc to the reading system he had charge of, and in getting through as well as the speakers had said he had, he had good men under him who were just, as earnest as ho could be, and the unity of all had helped through the work required, some calling for endurance and even hardship, to successful finality. He intended to spend his retirement in South West kind where his labours had been given |o assisting the. settlers with good roads. (Applause.)

Air James Green, surfaceman for the Public Works Department in South West land, who was retiring alter twenty-three years’ service, was also presented by Air Johnston with, a valuable rug. In making the presentation Mr Johnston stated that the recipient had done splendid work during his long period of service in South Westland, and his familiar figure would be missed by tho host, of visitors who made their way south ami had received much valuable advice, regarding routes, rivers to be crossed and generalities regarding South Westland, from the guest. He wished Mr Green a haupy time in his retirement on superannuation.

Mr W. Jeffries, in his remarks, said that, in 1915 a. stranger arrived at, Tatare River (himself'), going to Weheka, and there he made the acquaintance, of Air Green, and they had been friends ever since. From Waiho to Matainui, Air Green had proved himself a tower of assistance to everyone, and had earner! tho respect of the whole community- It was nice to thing that Air Green’s whole family were living in South Westland, where the boys were working and the girls had made splendid wives for a number of lucky young men, one girl recently having the honour of being the first to be married in the Waiho Church. Air Green had proved his value to the district and to the Public Works Department by the. conscientious manner he had done, his "work all through the twenty-three years he had been in charge of the road. Mr Tom Condon, of Alahitahi, said on behalf of tho residents of South Westland. he was glad to have the opportunity of testifying to tho good work done by Air Green, lie was a familiar and popular figure on the road and would bo much missed by those who had been accustomed to moot him daily for so many years. He wished him health, happiness, and long life to enjoy his well-earned retirement. Overseer Cooper added his eulogies of Ihc guests of the evening. Air Green, who was received with prolonged applause, ami tho singing of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” thanked the Chairman for his kind words, and expressed his appreciation of the useful present. Like Mr Carrnll. he was remaining on in Westland where most of his family had settled, lie had always striven to carry out his duties as he thought they ought to bo I carried out. He was always ready to give strangers directions or to assist people in any way thev needed. It had always been a rfleasnre to Jo that when nt his work. During the evening, Miss Maggie Graham sang “ llama ” and “ Salaam. ” and Miss 'rheamen (Dunedin) “Beau tiful Beatrice ’’ and “Tho Nut Brown Maiden.” and Air W. A. Brown (Hokitika) related “Dickon.” and Alonty on the “Turkish Question.” All tho numbers were well rendered and earned much deserving applause from those present.