PERSONAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24417, 1 October 1940, Page 8

PERSONAL

Prior to his departure With the Fourth Reinforcements for Trentham, Mr Ronald Jones, of the literary staff of the Otago Daily Times, was yesterday tendered a farewell by his colleagues. On behalf of the literary staff. Sir James Hutchison presented Mr Jones with a razor, money belt and toilet articles, and, in doing so. referred to his association with journalism in Dunedin for the past 16 years. He spoke particularly of Mr Jones s ability as a dramatic critic and an agricultural writer, and said that ms career in journalism had been a brilliant one. Sir James wished him quick promotion in the army and a safe return to Dunedin. Mr Jones made a suitable acknowledgment of the presentation. Southbound passengers by the Union Airways yesterday were Mr F. Saxton Mrs J. McAra, Mr J. McAra, Mr A. W. Rawley, and Miss M. Monk from Wellington. The Rev. J. G. Heath, of Christchurch, has been appointed vicar of Papakura in succession to the Rev. H. Sinclair, who was recently appointed to Takamma. Mr Heath was educated at King’s College, took his theological course at St. John’s College, and later spent five years in Melanesia. Mr W. J. L. Whinray. who has retired from the Post and Telegraph Department after 401 years’ service, was met by his fellow-employees last night and presented with a canteen of cutlery. Making the presentation the chief postmaster (Mr N. R. Mclsaac) sam that Mr Whinray was closing a most meritorious career in the public service a career which had always been marked with zeal, courtesy, and enterprise. Mr Whinray had never soared himself in the interests of the department or of the public, and the appreciation shown by the public of his efforts was evinced by the number of letters which had been received from prominent business men in the city expressing the wish that he would be long soared to enjoy his retirement. Mr Mclsaac said that Mr Whinray had started work in the department as a messenger boy at Gisborne, where he had risen to the position of correspondence clerk. After 24 years’ service at Gisborne. Mr Whinray had been*transferred to Thames, as supervisor of the postal branch. Four years later he had come to Dunedin as superintendent of mails, and he had held this position for the past 121 years. Mr Mclsaac concluded by slating that Mr Whinray proposed to reside at Lowry Bay, Wellington, and wishing him many happy years of retirement. Other officers referred in eulogistic terms to Mr Whinray’s services as superintendent of mails, and Mr Whinray suitably replied. The re-election of Mr F. Earl. K.C., as president of the Auckland Cricket Association marks the thirty-sixth year he has held the office. The valuable work which Mr Ear] has done for cricket, not only in Auckland, but throughout the Dominion, was referred to at the association’s meeting by several speakers, who regretted his absence owing to ill-health. Having completed 41 years’ service with the Post and Telegraph Department. Mr F, G. Nind. chief postmaster at Wellington, retired on superannuation yesterday. Mr Nind (states' a Press Association message from Wellington) was born in Dunedin, where he began his career in the service as a message boy in 1899, Ho was promoted, and for a number of years remained in Dunedin as a telegraphist. Mr Nind has had wide experience in all branches of the service, and has been transferred on no fewer than 16 occasions. Included in the important positions which Mr Nind has ,held are those of superintendent (telegraph branch) at Palmerston North and Christchurch, and in later years chief postmaster at Oamaru, Timaru, Invercargill and Wellington. Mr Nind is a highly-respected officer, both for his attention to the requirements of the public and for his sympathetic and close interest towards the staffs under his control. He is to be succeeded by Mr F. W. Mathews, who has been deputy chief postmaster at Wellington for the past six years