PRESENTATION SOCIAL.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume XXVIII, Issue 1397, 1 November 1932, Page 3

PRESENTATION SOCIAL.

There was a large gathering of -friends in "Mrs Stearnes tearooms on Wednesday evening when opportunity was taken to farewell Mr W. B. Rowan, prior to hfe removal- to the - Post Office Staff at- Petone. Mr A. A. Liddell, Chairman, of the .Town Board, presided- and welcomed 1 all present, trusting they would enter " into the spirit of th© function and i thoroughly, enjoy themselves. He had •apologies to make °n behalf of the following gentlemen, who had contributed hut found themselves unable to be present: Messrs Jno. Fisher, . -C. Carmody, 'G. B. Saxelby, D. C. McCrostie, R. Bird, E. Matheson, H. Rouutree, J. Campbell f Geo. Hodges, Jas. HalC R. W. Janson and A. C. Mill's. ' -Proceedings opened with the Loyal* Toabt. The Chairman, in proposing the toast of "Our Guest", regretted • his inability to do it justice. Mr Rowan had spent over 6 years as ' Postmaster in Otautau and now, like ajl good men, found he had to move. ! on, and we residents did not think it right to let him go without some ex- i pression of goodwill and of our ap- '< preciation of him as a citizen. He 1 was removing to "the environs of the Empire city on* promotion and on that - account the shift -was deserved. Otau- I jbau has had ' a lot of good Post- ' masters and, xilthough the - speaker was not in a position to say Mr i Rowan was' the best f it would . be 1 correct to say there had been none 1 \ better! Every citizen" wished Mr and 1 Mrs Rowan and family "Godspeed" < and hoped the former's health would i be I'estored to allow of many happy $ , years in nis new sphere at Petqne. * t Mr A. A. Fisher, President ot the * Otautau Progressive League expressed members' regret, at Mr Rowan's * departure. He had taken, over the l * capacity of honorary &ceretary to the s . Leafrue when they really had a debit k balance," but the Carnival had' been J held) the- funds from which, together « with subsidies, had been spent" under I the direction of the League, at the a Recreation Ground and to theadvan-c tag©. of all the citizens. The League f - had run a number. of very successful a efforts and members. owed_a debt to 1 Mr" Rowan for his capable ' handling- * of an arduous and exacting position.' s Mr Rowan had also taken an active r interest in the School Committee, 1 "had been secretary for one year and % trustee of the Citizens' Fund for £ several years. The speaker, thanked Mr Rowan for many ' personal cour- £ tesies and obligements extended 'n his official' capacity, ,he had been a I most .efficient and yet courteous dffi- e cer who combined much tact with i the administration of -his office. Mrs r Rowan f too, was a true mother and f wife, butehe had found -time to assist 1 the W.C:T.U. and Band of Hope"ahd < residents - owed both - she and s her family their ' gratitude- for .the c many items they had contributed to s .the pleasure of the* several functions 1 held by the above organisation. The 1 - speaker considered the starting of- 1 the young , folk at items at these 1 functions served a useful purpose prd i prepared them for more strenuous c efforts in the after years *>f their I lives. Mr Rowan was not only re- < moving because of promotion, but 'ho ' jiesjred to secure better facilities to give his growing family an oppor- J . . tunjty with their, education and^" for this effort, he was to be commended, i j, Mr G. Sinclair, President of the • . Otautau Athletic Society and" Otautau- < Bowling Club, said everyone was aware of the keen interest Mr Rowan 1 v took in sport. They would miss his help in the Athletic.- Society as an. executive officer who used iris business acumen the progress, of the Club. W 3jhe speaker had found it a, pleasure and a privilege to work with Mr Rowan, who gave freely of his time and energy on Sports Day as well as at the meetings. .Athletics were coming into' theii* own now # . cycling was booming and there was a great army of runners and cyclists, in Southland to cater for. Mr Rowan, had been a member of the Bowling 1 Club for 3 years to become a ,good bowler and keen and enthusiastic member. Still he thought of home first, business second and sport third. Hte was '" a gopd spo'rjb who'^still believed in barrack and he was virtually the "life of the local green", so hin departure would create a big blank.. Personally, the speaker would miss Mr Rowan as' a business and social friend, whil© the Bowlers would also miss him. greatly. They all trusted he would retain a. keen eye, steady hand and be able to roll a bowl for many a year. Mr <H. D. Irving,President of the " Football Club, said Mr Rowan had been a good help to the Glub; Although he hadn't known of theii guest as a representative player, h< was certainly an able critic on thi national game, while always beinji bright and cheerful and ready t lend a. hand- In bis official capacit the speaker had always fpund hii oourteous, fair but strict in bußineJ principles and 1 certainly had looke jrfter th© Government's interests a well. -. Mr HjnC Chandler spoke on beha , ' pf the TW^ Board on which body 1 isaid it%as a member's privilege - i work .on behalf of the ratepayei taking especial care to provide faci ties on a limited income. The Boa had worked 1 in^ very well with~the ve progressive "Progressive L^agu^

often having to deal with quite J number pf letters as signed by thei guest in, his capacity as secretary It was worthy df "note" that most of th< requests had been granted. On be; half of th© members he had to than! Mr Rowan for many courtesies/ ex tended/ Personally, he had found Mi Rowan a very thorough man, efficienl as a Postmaster and efficiency in the head meant it also, in the staff undei him. -This has allowed for attentior and .civility to all in the locdl Posj pffice during his term. Mr Rowan carried his thoroughness to fcport and all "sports" could safely rely on his knowledge of the Rules of the game. Mr Geo. Williams, in a humorous speech, spok© on behalf of the "Hikers' and Bikers" ,- while personally he had always found Mr Rowan efficient courteous, hard but just. Mr J. A. Smith, on behalf of the local staff, conveyed 1 their regret at Mr Rowan's departure. Their guest could be assured of IBe knowledge that it left them all pleasure to know of his promotion, and they further hoped to see him prosper in his new sphere of activity. Mr Jrio. Seatter said .he had always found "Bill Rowan" a cordial friend, courteous and willing t o give of his knowledge- to anyone. Mr T. Kelly, o n behalf of the Railways Department, said he had found it a pleasure' to do business with Mr Rowan. Mr E. Harrington endorsed the remarks and said Mrs Rowan's mother lad taught him in Riverton. She was a very clever lady, so_ that the Drains shown by the Rowan children jvidently did not ' all com© from the Father. Knowing Mrs Rowan as a jirl, he would naturally take an interest in the progress of the family, vherever they settled. Mr W. J. Wesney supported the renarks /Which he considered covered Ji© ground^ However, there was one srevice not mentioned in which their juest had * shown considerable ability md that was his handling of the Unjmployment Schemes. Mr Rowan jrought an unbiassed and fairminded ittitud© to bear, .considering every :ase on its merits, without fear oravdur to anyone. It. had been an. irduous duty well done. Personally, le had received many privileges, the tape',' methods being dropped tnd the courteous action offered on learly all occasions and for this l© was grateful. Mrs Rowan was a vo-man in a thousand, cpiiet, unuseuming and a tru.e mother, and her vork had only be'en seen through -her children's performances' on the stage. Mr M. Coulter said he was in comDlete accord with the previous speakers, Mr Rowan had proved a fine citi:en. He had been President and the eal mainstay of th© Cricket Club the ew years it had flourished in the ["own. As a Postmaster, he was courteous, easy of approach, capable, stable and able, in^ every way and he ieeply regretted his -departure. Mr J. G. C- Baker eulogised Mr Rowan as a. business man, of which le was a fine example. As a postnaster he inspired confidence, knew lie job, swatted the rules and knew, lot needing io guess. Personally, he considered Mr Rowan as one of the ae&t Postal officials he had come in :ontact with. It could well be said, 'Life is full of. compensations, .Pebone is losing Mark Nicholls, but chaining Mr Rowan." Mr' A. I. Milne supported the prenous speakers and wished Mr and Mrs Rowan and family continued success. 'Mr. <C R. Bulman endorsed the previous .remarks as, a member of the Postal Staff. After 3£ years' service under him, the speaker could not wish for a better Postmaster, as he did! .his utmost for the harmonious working of the office.. Like Sir Harry Lauder, all he could say was t "Com© back; amongst us and spend — spent.^yojir time with us." Mr D. Ballam also conveyed his good wishes and indicated^, he wa: losing a friend. , Mr -E. Jellyman .spoke on behalf oj ,the Unemployed men and considerec that the fact. f tif Mr Rowan being stil alive and stiU: v popular was proof oi ' his ability.- and fairness to the men o thai district. - For his efforts on behal of;., the/local men h© could safely con yey 'good wishes and wish him ever succesSj / Mr Watson, Postmaster, Thorn } bury, he was sorry Mr Rowai was leaving the distric,t as did man of the Postal Officials throughout th district. - He had *been an officer wh had given sound advice- to them a and they .were indebted for his ai sistance in the past. Mr G. H. Stevens conveyed h ; good wishes for Mr Rowan's futui L success , - - • Mr A, 3* -Simon said he. had knew r H**»- Rowan as a and now W t Rowan since hi? residence in Otaut; e to find them "quality" people. T j Postal Department produced the be o balance sheets of any Government I y partment and this was no^> due to $ n. Ministers in the' house, but the-po is masters like Mr Rowan, He v :d very courteous, obliging a^nd tactf s the latter covering a lo.t of other gc qualities. ilf In making the presentation oi he handsome travelling* rug- to Mr R< to an^ M^ A. A. -Liddell said it :s, something material to remind him ili- the happy times spent in Otaut ,rd It was a useful article which' we ;ry b.e needed to kedp out the o ;", blasty weather experienced. North