“A RESPONSIBLE OFFICER.”

Otago Witness, Issue 3764, 4 May 1926, Page 30

“A RESPONSIBLE OFFICER.”

PRESENTATION TO HEAD TYPISTE. The luxurious reception room at the Exhibition has seen countless functions and entertainments, but there has been only one such ceremony that has possessed a bridal touch. That was on Tuesday afternoon, when the directors, commissioners, and staff met to make a presentation to Miss Grant, the head typiste, who has been with the company ever since its inception. On behalf of his brother directors, Mr j. Sutherland Ross (the president) wished Miss Grant a happy career in her married life. He had had the pleasure of knowing her ever since the start, and he could say without hesitation that her cheerfulness and devotion had set the standard for the staff in the early days. It would be a happy recollection to Miss Grant to know that she had taken part in what would be a historic occasion in New Zealand. In conclusion, he asked her to accept a silver tea service from the directors. Mr Spence, the secretary, echoed the president’s remarks. They had found Miss Grant to be au inspiration, he said, for she was always cheerful. He mentioned that the office appeared to be becoming a kind of matrimonial bureau, for they had lost one of their staff by marriage, another was to go, and (with a meaning look to the younger girls) he believed that more were to follow, Miss Grant had been record clerk for ov two years and ahalf. and during that time she had lost only one paper, and that was eventually found in the archives of one of the director's pigeon holes in the office. On behalf of the staff, he wished her every good fortune, and asked her to accept a wallet, .which was not an empty one. Mr Jlainsworth spoke on similar lines, emphasising the point that Miss Grant was a responsible officer. He wished her long life, health, and prosperity. On behalf of the commissioners, the Hon. R. Boyd (Fiji) paid a warm tribute to Miss Grant’s work and to her personality. “This Exhibition has anded about 50 years to our lives,” he said, “and in that way T may say that Miss Grant is om of our old friends. I hope that in her

new venture she will find the greatest of happiness.” In reply, Miss Grant thanked the directors and the staff for their past kindnesses and for their complimentary remarks. “The only thing I was frightened of in the Exhibition,” she said, "was when we were getting a general manager. We thought he might be a wet blanket, but everything turned out all right. He has been a good sport.’ Mr C. Grant, Miss Grant’s father, also thanked the directors and others on behalf of his daughter.