Chief Postmaster Retires

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 4, 6 January 1937, Page 8

Chief Postmaster Retires

MR. D. BLACK FAREWELLED BY DEPARTMENTAL OFFICERS. Retiring on superannuation after 40 years’ service with the department, Mr. D. Black, Chief Postinaster at Palmerston North for the past three years, was farewelled by departmental officers and. representatives of district post offices at a pleasant function yesterday afternoon. After tributes had been paid to Air. Black’s many outstanding qualities, he was made the recipient of a presentation of a handsome radio set. Air. W. G. A. Pearce, accountant, expressed regret that the time had come for Air. Black to retire -from the service. He had always had the respect and goodwill of the staff, due to the fact that he was fair and just in ali his dealings, and had always been approachable and willing to give advice and help. An outstanding feature had been his treatment of officers on sick leave, and his considerations in this regard would always be remembered by the officers concerned. The speaker trusted that Air. Black would long bo spared to earn the fruits of a -wellearned rest, and he wished Mr. and Mrs. Black every success and prosperity in the future.

After Mr. Pearce had reao-a number of apologies from district postmasters, all expressing regret at Mr. Black's severance with the department and extending the best wishes for the future, Mr. W. K. Coleman, supervisor in the clerical branch, voiced regret that the time had come for Mr. Black to part with his fellow officers. Mr. Black had shown the whole of the staff every consideration, and his many kindly actions were deeply appreciated. He was leaving behind many pleasant memories, and the speaker trusted that Mr. Black would have many years of pleasurable retirement. Members of the postal staff, stated Air. D. H. Dinnison, senior supervisor in the postal branch, knew Air. Black as a fair and just Chief Postmaster and extended best wishes to him and Mrs. Black. Air. H. Paterson, supervisor, tele-

graph branch, voiced good wishes on behalf' of his branch, while Mr. J. B. Purcell, postmaster at Feilding, spoke on behalf of the country offices. Prior to calling on Air. G. Clark, relieving Chief Postmaster, to speak, Air. Pearce extended a welcome to him and expressed the opinion felt that it would not be long before the announcement was made that Mr. Clark had been appointed to the position permanently. Recalling that he had known Mr. Black since they had been youths in the department, Air. Clark said it seemed a pity that a man of Mr. Black’s age and ability should be retiring.

After Air. Pearce had handed the guest of honour a radio set, Air. Black replied. ‘‘Firstly,” he said, ‘‘let me thank the various speakers very sincerely for their most kindly expressed appreciation of my efforts to discharge my duties with all-round satisfaction. 1 feel that 1 am not deserving of so many nicely-phrased tributes. You have really been too generous in your sentijnents. It is one of the big moments —a purple patch as it were—in a man’s life when he lays down his official burden, although its a burden I have always gladly carried. After listening to the speakers to-day, I can truthfully say that my heart is almost too full for words.

‘‘l am not going to pretend that this parting of the ways is not a big wrench. {Some of you may know that I am the third of my line in the post office service. In other words, my retirement breaks a link of nearly 90 years with the New' Zealand and British post offices. My father and my grandfather were officers together in »St. Alartin’s Le Grande G.P.0., London, w'hilo my father and 1 served together in New Zealand. The only actual break was my father’s voyage to New Zealand by sailing ship in 1873. With such long family associations with the Post Office, you will no doubt understand my attachment to it as an institution. I have ahvays been deeply sensible of .the family tradition of service behind me and can only say that in the discharge of my duties I have tried to live up to that tradition. “I do not feel disposed to say much about my work and career. I can say,

however, that my best has been freely and gladly given. As a C.P.M. it has been my earnest endeavour to be loyal and helpful to the administration; to have a contented staff by - extending fair and considerate treatment; and last, but not least, to have a contented public by giving the best possible service. I believe you get from the service exactly what you put into it in the way of loyalty, and conscientious effort. In other words, if you pull your full weight—if in an official sense you cast your bread on the waters —sooner or later there will be a tangible return. I am convinced that the department has a great future and that officers who are qualified and ‘on-side’ for promotion have splendid prospects. I .trust that the greatest possible number of officers will benefit from the forthcoming re-grading of the service.

‘‘l w r ould like to thank one and all in this postal district for their Toyai support and helpfulness. In this connection I w’ish to express my appreciation of the good work and co-operation of executive officers who have helped me so materially to carry the load and who have never let me down. My thanks are also due to Air. H. C. Brent (telegraph engineer) and members of his staff for their helpful attitude at all times.

‘‘And now let me thank officers in Palmerston North and district from the bottom of my heart for their beautiful parting gift. It will ever be deeply valued and cherished as the tangible expression of your goodwill and friendly feelings toward me. In this connection my wife—who, I might say, has always been a very present help in my official career—joins me in expressing appreciation of your thought for us and your kindness to us. “I wish you all a very happy official and domestic future. It is not a case of saying good-bye except in an official sense. I am remaining in Palmerston North for the time being and hope to make many unofficial contacts with you. Officially, however, it is good-bye and, once again, my heartfelt thanks and best wishes to you all.” The gathering concluded with the singing of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” and cheers for both Air. and Mr?. Black.