A USEFUL CITIZEN.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 23 September 1924, Page 10

A USEFUL CITIZEN.

PATEA AND DISTRICT HONOUR AIR F. W. GRAINGER;

The work done and the valuable services rendered for many years to Patea and South Taranaki by Mr F. \Y. Grainger were fittingly recognised when at a dinner given by Mr A. T. Christensen in honour of Air Grainger at the Central Hotel, Patea, residents of town and district to* the number of 40 attended to say farewed to him arid to mark their appreciation of his efforts for the district. Mr Christensen was in the chair, and there were also present Messrs J. R. Corrigan, M.P., A. C. Pease (chairman of the West Coast Refrigerating Co.), C. Honeyfield (deputy-Mayor or Patea), and H. Dickie (chairman of the Patea Meat Works). An apology for inability to be present was received from the Mayor of Patea (Mr Fmlayson). The gathering was fully representative of town and district. The excellent menu put on by mine host having been partairen by all present, a long toast list was’ honoured. “The King” was given by the chairman and enthusiastically honoured. In proposing the health of “Our Guest,.” Mr Christensen said all knew Mr Grainger was leaving to take up an important position on the Dairy Control Board. It was fitting, therefore, he said, that his sendee to town and district should he fittingly recognised. He referred to his long record or public duty on Borough Council, and on Harbour Board and other local boies. In all this service, he added, Mr Grainger had done his very best for the district, and it would be admitted by all to have been of the greatest value. He had served for 13 years on the Harbour Board, and on three occasions while the speaker was m the Old Country he had acted as chairman, and throughout took his full share of all the important and onerous work of the . board, which had resulted in keeping the port available for very large shipments of ? primary 'produce from South Taranaki. Air Grainger would, he added, be much missed in 1-atea, personally and in the fin sines? world. While his departure would he a great loss, not only to the town and district, but to the whole of South Taranaki, his services would he of : distinct value to the Dairy Control Board, for he was one of * the most capable men who could he selected in the Dominion for the work to which he was going, and he hoped that the efficiency which would result from his service would be also seen- in the shipping work connected with Dominion dairy produce at the other side .of the world. Mr Grainger had also been a real personal friend, and his loss would he very really felt. On behalf of the people of town and district he wished him and Airs Grainger all prosperity and happiness in their new sphere of life.

Air Grainger, on rising to reply, was received with hearty cheers and apnlause. He said he appreciated -very Mghly the kindly remarks made and the honour shown him by the presence of so representative a gathering. He iom 7 ha t' Sl i nce his comin g to Patea in Wul he had been associated with many local institutions—Borough Council and Harbour Board for 13 years, and also on Domain Board and Patriotic League Referring to. his new work, he said the Dairy- Control Board was a new departure, and he believed a long-felt want would be filled as the board widened its sphere of action. He gave a very interesting resume of the growth and development of the Refrigerating Works at Patea since 1901. showing that save for two years there had been steady and solid advance. aX e li. I , e ' d something of the growth ot the harbour to its oresent very effective state. He related some of the misfortunes the companies in Patea had to face, hut added that they were only episodes ’on the way of progress. He showed also how the Refrigerating Company had met -the difficulties conne led with storage during the war and had erected or leased buildings to such an extent that they were able to put in coo! store the whole of a year J « dairy produce. He instanced some of the disabilities under which Patea laboured 23 years ago, and how through the energy and foresight of her public men the town now had exceptionally good municipal services, and he paid a glowing tribute to the work fif those men who laboured in those early davs. In conclusion, .he referred to the able aiid fair control of the chairman of the -Harbour Board and the. nleasant relations always subsisting ‘among members ot the hpard. He thanked all those with whom he had come into contact in the course of his work for , e , eordial assistance received, and added how much he annreeiated tlm many kind things which‘had heen said ami the sincere regret he felt at leaving Ins many good friends in Patea. Other toasts honoured were* “The Dairy Industry,” proposed by Mr C., 11. Honeyfield, and resoonded to bv Messrs J. R. Corrigan, AIP A Pearce, P Hurley, and W. H. Southcombe; “Refrigerating Works,” proposed by Air C. A. Larcombe, and repy by Mr A C. Pease; “Parliament of New Zealand.” by Mr T. King, and reply by Mr -J. R. Corrigan. Af P • “Local Bodies,” bv Mr H. Dickie, and reply by Messrs Honeyfield and Christensen ; “Freezing Industry,” by Mr L. J. Yerry. and reply bv Air H Dickie: “Past. Alembers* of Locai Bodies,” by Air Hamel, and reply by Messrs H. E. Deane find H., Dickie'; ‘Executive Officers,” by chairman, and reply by various members present • “Our Host and Chairman.” by M> Corrigan, and reply by Mr Christensen.

The singing of “Auld Lang Syne” concluded a most interesting and cordial gathering, which did due honour to Mr Grainger to show their appreciation of his good work and great service to town and district.