VALEDICTORY FUNCTION

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 3 September 1926, Page 9

VALEDICTORY FUNCTION

FARMERS’ CO-OP. SOCIETY

ESTEEMED OFFICIALS FAREWELLED.

Approximately 120 members of the Farmers’ Co-op’. Organisation' Society and their friends assembled in the Savoy Tea Rooms, Havera, last evening at a farewell dinner and social tendered to Messrs J. G. Nichol, W. A Brown, and W. Brooks, who are leaving the employ of the society after having been associated with it for a considerable number of yeans. As one of the original members of the society Mr. Nichol has, at various periods, during the past twelve years, officiated as chief accountant, Hawera. manager, and Stratford manager. That he had gained the esteem of his fellow employees and senior officers was manifest at last evening’s function in the intimations of regret concerning his departure, which were mingled with freely expressed wishes for his future success. Air. Nichol is leaving Hawera next week to take over an appointment at Wellington. Air. Brown has been appointed to a new position in Hawera, and Air. Brooks intends commencing business at Auckland The evening’s proceedings opened with a dinner, following which the loyal toast was honoured, and Mr. A. Hunter, chairman of directors, extended farewell messages to Air. and All’s. Nichol. “I have known Air. Nichol, who is a. Hawera boy, practically since he was an infant, and have watched his career with interest,’’ said Air. Hunter, “and 1 can say that in anyhe has taken up he has made good. Air. Nichol was in the railway department before he entered the stock business, and as a .railway official he was looked upon as one of those who got things done. He joined the staff of Alessrs Gillies, and Nalder, and soon rose to an important position, and when the society took over the interests of that firmi he was one of the most important assets. During the twelve years he has been associated with the society he has been one of its most- valued servants. As such he had gained the esteem of the directors and his fellow officers, while at the same time he lias shown that unfailing courtesy to clients which is one of the most important characteristics of the successful business man. During his recent service as manager at Stratford his duties have been very exacting, but he has served with distinction under the unusually difficult conditions with which he was confronted. Airs. Nichol was also at one time a member of our staff, and I cannot speak too highly of the service which she rendered to the society. I am sure that the directors and all officers will experience very great regret in bidding farewell to Mr. and Mrs.. Nichol, hut wd will all join in the sincerest wishes for their future happiness.”

The general manager (Air. W. A. Hewrit) supported the remarks passed by the chairman. “I have known Air. Nichol for many years, and have always found! , him , keen, reliable, and able fo cope with business affairs,” said Air. Hewitt. “Air. Nichol has been accurate, systematic, and exceptionally efficient in elucidating difficult problems,” h© continued, “and has admirably combined those qualities which one associates with officers in commercial life. I have to personally thank Air. Nichol for the courtesy and consideration he has shown me during my association with the society, and it is also my pleasure to endorse what tlie chairman lias said., concerning his services.. Air. Nichol is taking over an important position in -Wellington, arid in wishing him success I feel sure that he will achieve it.”

Mr Hewitt also expressed the regret of the society in losing the .services of Mr W. A. Brown, to whom he extended wishes for success, andi made similar expressions with reference to Mr Brooks, who was unavoidably absent from, the function.

The general manager further took the opportunity of thanking all executive officers and servants for their evident interest in the affairs of the society. He briefly traversed the progress made during the'past year and, in appealing for the continuance of the spirit which had marked their activities, urged the application of the priniple of mutual help. Further eulogistic reference to the work carried out by Mr Niehol 1 was made by the assistant general manager (Mr C. G. Trotter), who said that in l its history the society had been afforded the services of no one who had been, more consistently efficient and worthy of esteem: than the guest of the evening. On behalf, of thei staff, Mr Trotter wished both Mrs and Mr Niehol the best of fortune in the future, and assured them of al most •-'ordial welcome should they at any time return to the sphere of their former activities.

On behalf of the gathering, Mr .C. E. Morton then made the presentation of a pewter afternoon tea. service and tray to Mrs and Mr Niehol as al memento of their/ association with the society. The toast “Mrs and. Mr Niehol” was proposed by the chairman, and was supported with musical honours. In reply, Mr Niehol* thdnked) the speakers and all in .attendance! for their kind expressions of esteem, and expressed his appreciation of the manner in which he had been assisted by the various officers and employees of the society during the time he had been, connected with it. With his own thanks he tendered; those of Mrs Niehol for the beautiful gift received, which he assured the gathering would, always be treasured' as a reminder of the many pleasant years .spent with fellow-members of the .society. In proposing the' health of Mr W. !. Brown, Mr Trotter paid tribute! to the services which had ‘been rendered by the former, whom he classedi as ope of the best servants' the .society had Had and as a reliable worker who would make good anywhere. The executive officers and all others regretted the less of Mr Brown, and; desired to wish him the best of luck in the future.

Mr F. Beaure.paire, on behalf of the staff, presented Mr Brown with a handsome leather travelling case, and the toast was honoured with the enthusiastic singing of “For He’s a: Jolly Good Fellow.”

Mr Brown suitably replied, after which the floor was cleared, and to the music, supplied by McDonald’s orchestra. the remainder of the evening was devoted to dancing. During the evening vocal solos were rendered by Miss D. H. Ritchie (“Salaam” and “Life’s Epitome”), Mr E. Pickles (“Lighterman Tom”), and Mr J. Remviek (“I wouldn’t think of telling a lie”), each item meeting with much appreciation. The customary parting song marked the dispersal of the gathering at a late hour."