PUBLIC RECOGNITION

Grey River Argus, 4 June 1942, Page 1

PUBLIC RECOGNITION

Fifty Years’ Service LATE FIRE SUPERINTENDENT P. DEERE. There was a representative gathering of members of Greymouth local bodies at the Greymouth Borough Council Chambers last evening in order to recognise the long and ellicient service rendered to the town by the late Superintendent Patrick Deere, who, shortly before his recent death, completed 50 years’ service vjith th e Gr.eymouth Volunteer Fire Brigade. The Mayor, Mr. F. A. Kitchingham, on behalf of the comHV nity ’ P. res ented to Mr. W. H. Paritt (Chairman of the Greymouth rire Board), who represented the ■” e ere family, an address expressive ? f -JiD e . public appreciation of the laithfu.’ and valuable service of the late Superintendent Deere. The Mayor said that last year Superintendent Deere completed 50 years service with the Brigade, and bnml! n tY! s^ ecide(i . b y tlle local bodies that his services should bo publicly recognised. It had then been decided to present him with an address. While they had been awaiting a suitable occasion on which to hold the ceremony, the death of Superintendent Deere had occurred* It was now thought fitting however, to present the address to the members of the Deere family, gn much had been already said about the late Mr. Deeres fine services that be would not enlarge on them Mr. J. O’Brien, M.P., said he regretted that Superintendent Deere was not present to receive this address. The Greymouth people well understood the wonderful service given by Mr. Deere on many occasions. He had the most efficient Brigade in New Zealand. It had been unfortunate that the late Superintendent could not have been told during his life of the appreciation with which the public regarded his work. On behalf of the people of the district, he wished to express the regret felt at Mr. Deere’s passing. Mr. H. G. Carter, Chairman of the Grey County Council, expressed very sincere appreciation of the late Mr. Deere’s long and successful efforts on behalf of the districts outside Grevmouth.

Mr. J. Smeaton (Chairman of the Greymouth Harbour Board), regretted that Mr. Deere was not’ present. However, he had lived for work and service, and, whil e he had passed awa v unexpectedly, it was as he would have wished—at work and not while in retirement. Mr. Deere’s capabilities were known right throughout New Zealand. The way fires were handled in Greymouth had been such that it did not pay to sell out to an insurance company. The late Mr. Deere had never neglected his duties,-and had always -givefi “his services most willingly. His memory would remain for many years Mr. J. Saunders, ex-Chairman of the Fire Board, paid a tribute to Mr Deere’s services.; The address, lip said, would be a great comfort to his family, and their loss thereby would be somewhat lightened. Mr. W. Clayton, Chairman of the Grey Power Board, said Superintendent Deere had devoted a great deal of time to Greymouth and the people of the district were proud of him. Mr. J. B. Kent, who endorsed the tributes of previous speakers, said he was also sorry that Superintendent Deere did not live longer 1 and had not survived to receive this testimonial.

The address which was signed by the Chairmen of the Grey district Local bodies, was then presented to Mr. Parfitt.

In accepting the presentation on behalf of Mr. John Deere, Mr. Parfitt spoke feelingly of the great services rendered to the town by the Late Mr. Deere, whose record was indeed a proud one. The gathering then stood in silence as a mark of respect for the memory of the late Superintendent Deere.