P. AND T. DEPARTMENT.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 1978, 21 November 1921, Page 5

P. AND T. DEPARTMENT.

ANNUAL SMOKE CONCERT, iThe annual smoke concert in connection with the Palmerston North Post and Telegraph Department was held in the Orient Hall on Saturday night. Mr. P. Buck presided over a large attendance of officers. In proposing the principal toast, “The Post and Telegraph Department,” Mr. J. Walton said they were all proud to belong to a service which was generally recognised as the premier and most efficient of all the Government Departments. In coupling the toast with the name of Mr. R. R. Martin, the new postmaster at Palmerston North, he extended a very hearty welcome to that gentleman from the local Post and Telegraph officers. In reply, Mr. Martin thanked the officers present for their very kind reception, and expressed the hope that with the hearty co-operation of his staff he would still further bo able to advance the efficiency and usefulness of the service in Palmerston North. (Applause.) In reference to the Department, he mentioned that he'had watched its steady growth for a period of over 30 years, during which it nad continually increased its efficiency and sphere of activities. Thirty-six years ago he had joined the Department in Gore, which then had a staff of three officers. To-day the Gore Department had a staff of &6 or 37 officers. In other places, for example in To Kuiti, the increase had been even more marked. In that town the staff had increased from three in 1908 to 26 at the present time. Branches in other towns had advanced correspondingly, to the benefit of the Department of the Dominion, and particularly of the district with which they were more intimately associated. The Post and Telegraph Department was called upon to assist practically every other branch of the public service, and if any other Department was at. a dead end for help, the P. and T. officers were invariably called upon to supply the deficiency. He was anxious to do good work in Palmerston, and with the assistance and support of his fellow-officers, that ambition could be accomplished, with the result that they would all share in the encomiums or benefit which might accrue to them from the Department’s appreciation of their services. (Applause.) Other toasts honoured included “The Incoming Postmaster,” proposed by Mr. P. W. Gowing and responded to by Mr. R. R. Martin; “The Social Club,” proposed by Mr. G. Kerr and i-esponded to by Mr. J. G. Glynn; “The Performers,” proposed by the Chairman and responded to by Mr. A. W. Chapman; “The Ladies,” proposed by Mr. J. lanson, and responded to by Mr W Cdump; "The P.and T. Association,” proposed by Mr. C. J O’Brien, and responded to by Mr. P. Keir. Various musical and vocal items were contributed by Messrs. W. Young, O’Brien, A. W. Chapman, Weight, Mason, E. Chapman, Retter, R. Fisher, and the P. and T. Orchestra under Mr. F. Keir.