Popular Public Servant Farewelled

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7196, 30 June 1933, Page 8

Popular Public Servant Farewelled

MR DONALD MORRISON HONOURED BY FELLOW CITIZENS

There was a large and representative gathering of business men of the city yesterday afternoon in tho Rosco tearooms on tho occasion of a united farewell to Mr Donald Morrison, who for some years past has been manager of tho Stato Fire Insurance offico in Palmerston North. Those present included members of numerous professions, as well as many who had made contact with Mr Morrison in various branches of community work. The largo attendance testified to tho high esteem in which Mr Morrison is held in ’ this centre, and there was a widespread feeling of regret that promotion necessitated his leaving for Wellington to-morrow. Mr Morrison will occupy the important position of manager of the Wellington branch office of tho State Fire Insurance.

The Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) presided, and tendered apologies for absence from Messrs A. H. Manson, A. Aiken, W. McKenzie, A. J. Graham, R. H. Meade, J. W. Whelan, J. W. Ruthorfurd, W. J. McCullough (all of Palmerston North); J. MacDonell (Ashhurst) and 11. Bastings (Wellington). The three lady justices, Mrs E. A. Collins, Mrs M. Aitchison and Mrs L. A. Abraham, also tendered apologies.

Mr Mansford mentioned that it was very gratifying to see so many present to pay tribute to Mr Morrison’s many fine qualities.

Representing the justices of tho peace of Palmerston North, Mr J. H. Stevens extended congratulations to Mr Morrison on his promotion, while expressing regret at his departure from Palmerston North. Tho whole city was represented at the gathering per medium of the numerous institutions, said Mr Stevens, and everybody would join in congratulating Mr Morrison on his promotion.

For the Public Service Association, Mr -J. Davidson added a tribute to the guest of the function. Tho association was proud to point to Mr Morrison as one who had not relaxed in his labours for tho members of the body, particularly the junior members. (Applause.) Mr Morrison had made a definite contribution to the social life of the community, and Palmerston North would suffer a great loss by his departure. Though ho had not taken a prominent part in public life in one sense, because his position as a civil servant prevented it, yet he had done a great deal in a quiet way, stated the speaker. Mr T. Hart, president of tho Palmerston North Golf Club, of which Mr Morrison was a vice-president since its inception,. said their guest had put in a lot of work for the club. He was a man who could always smile, no matter what the fortunes of the game might be. The club would always welcome Mr Morrison back to Palmerston North, while they were glad of the advanco he had made in his career. As a fellow worker with Mr Morrison on tho Russell Street School Committee, Mr C. Rabone said that Palmerston North would miss his services to education in tho city. Mr Morrison had been the chairman of the first committee and had rendered unique service. The president of tho Citizens’ Lunch Club, Mr B. H. Spcnccr, conveyed to Mr Morrison best wishes for success and happiness in a new sphere of activity. He was a foundation member of the Lunch Club, and had been conspicuous in all branches of its work. The club was very sorry to lose him. He was a past-president and he had at all times dones all in his power to promote tho welfare of the club. Adding congratulations on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., said Mr Morrison had been associated with the chamber for some years,, and was at present a council member. .He was always ready with thoughtful advice and assistance, and was-well known for his generous nature. The chamber was very sorry to lose him, and would always welcome him back to Palmerston North. Mr Nash asked Mr Morrison to convey to Mrs Morrison the regrets of the gathering that she and her family

were compelled to remove to Wellington.

Speaking in appreciation of Mr Morrison, tho Mayor said that the gathering typified one of God’s greatest gifts to man—friendship. Palmerston North regretted losing Mr Morrison’s services, but would have expected his undoubted abilities to bo recognised by promotion. Tho council sincerely appreciated what Mr Morrison had done for it iu his business connection, and they felt sure that it would not be long before he was filling an even more important position than the one ho was now going to. Mr Mansford then asked the guest of honour to accept a handsome silver tea service as a token of appreciation. Mr Morrison was greeted with acclamation when he rose to reply. He feelingly thanked those present for their gift and for their kindly gesture toward him. Stating that he had spent fourteen years in Palmerston North, Mr Morrison mentioned that, this represented a large portion of anyone’s life. Institutions such as thoso which wero tendering him this farewell were mado up of individual men, and it was only in contact witn men that one came to realise what they were made of. He had found great pleasure in the contacts he had made in Palmerston North in various activities, and school committees and golf were equally enjoyable. “Wo will leave Palmerston North with a good deal of regret, because we will leave so many friends behind, and will be faced with the task of making new ones,” added Mr Morrison. “During the last fourteen years of my life I have made contact with many people, and in all the professions in Palmerston North I have found that the men following them are men of high character. In my dealings with the various professions I havo come to entertain a very high opinion indeed of the men in them. I think, some of them, however, aro more valued in other towns than in their own city.” The speaker added that it was a matter of great regret to him that he was unable to stay- here long enough to see his friends win their way back from the distress they wcto experiencing to a period of prosperity. Mr Morrison was accorded musical honours and three hearty cheers by the meeting.