PRESENTATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6534, 23 January 1883, Page 3

PRESENTATION.

Last evening at S.RO the employes n! thn Telegraph Department met in the operators room to present Mr Lubeeki (who ia retiring from the service for a while) with a gold watch and chain. Mr J. K. Logan, inspector of telegraphs, in making the presentation, said that it gave him much pleasure to present Mr Lubecki, on behalf of the Dunedin stair and othor telegraph officers in the Otago district, with the watch and chain as a mark of esteem and good-will on the occasion of hia retirement for a year from the management of the Dunediu office. They rtgretted that ill health should havo compelled him to seok rolief from business for that length

of time, and Imped that freedom from worry and complete change of sajne would have the effect he anticipated, and that when they met again he would be halo and hearty, and able to begin anew the battle of life. During the 17 years MrLubecki had beenin the Duuedin oflico many changes had occurred, and the Telegraph Department had grown from a puny child to a vigorous youth, it not quite to manhood. As a department they had not yet reached their majority, but thero had been some growth, which might bo represented by a comparison of the original wooden building 10ft by 12ft which was tho accommodation provided for the first office, and tho line building they now occupied. When they first opened in Dunedm there was no word of duplex telegraphy, much less of quadruples. Now the telephone was the crowning wonder. Who could tell whether the next 17 years might not have more surprises in store for them ? In the course of his travels, which, it was understood, would extend to the Australian Colonies and the Old Country, Mr Lubecki would no doubt take a deep interest in all matters connected with the profession, and they would be glad to learn from him on his return that they were not lagging behind the age. While thoy flattered themselves that they were posted up in overytiling that went on in the electrical and telegraphic world, and that it was a characteristicof theirchief(DrLeinon)tobeever seeking for improvement, they would be very pleased to leani that in Rome other parts of the world there were wrinkles to be learned, and they would not be too proud to adopt them. At the special request of the ladies he (Mr Logan) would desire on their part to express their regret that he was leaving, and they also begged him to say that whatever his (Mr Lubecki"s) opinion of ladies as operators might be, they had always beeu treated by him with courtesy and kindness. They wished him a pleasant voyage, and hoped that before long ho would again take charee of tho office. Tho watch —a handsomely-engraved one, made by Rothorham — and lhain wero then handed to Mr Lubecki, who made a short speech thanking the employes for the gift. He said that he would always value it, not for its intrinsic worth, but as a reminder of his friends in Otago. While the presentation was utterlyundeserved on his part, he must say that it was also wholly unexpected. He trusted they would accept his grateful thanks. It would always be to him a pleasant thing when he loolte'd upon it to think of those he had left behind in the office, and wherever he was his thoughts would always revert to Dunedin. He hoped to be able to return in a year or so, better in health; but if that was not to be the case, he would never cease to reciprocate the kindly feeling entertained by all those present. No doubt there wero times when they had thought him very strict, and perhaps not fair in his decisions—("No, no")— but he had always endeavoured-to give satisfaction, not only to the heads of the department, but also to the members of the staff. As to picking up wrinkles on his journey, as they had suggested, they might depend upon it that he would lose no opportunity of gaining information ; for he was going to have a good look around him, especially in tho Old Country. They must excuse him from speaking further— his heart was full that night, and he knew not what to say. He had often looked forward to this trip with pleasure ; but now the time had come to say good-bye, he felt very sad at parting.—(Cheers.) The company then adjonrned to the Royal Exchange, where the health of the retiring officer was drunk with musical honours.