VALEDICTORY

Patea Mail, 9 May 1941, Page 3

VALEDICTORY

MR. AND MR. F. MATES AND FAMILY ' k There was a large and representative gathering of both town and country settlers in the Town Hall supperroom on Wednesday night to do honour to Mr. and Mrs. F. Mairs and family prior to their departure for Marton, Mr. Mairs having recently been promoted to the position of postmaster at that town. The proceedings were opened with the National Anthem. His Worship the Mayor, who presided, said that in London there w r as a famous building, the pride of the British people, designed by a (wonderful man, Sir Christopher Wren. Though there were monuments of all kinds in this building to famous men, there was none for the man who designed it. Instead there was a simple tablet with his name on it, and the inscription in Latin: "If you are seeking a monument, look around you.” If you arc desiring a tribute .to our guests of honour this evening, said His Worship, you have only to look at this representative gathering. Jlis Worship said it was only right and fitting that they should show their appreciation of Mr. Mairs' splendid work on their behalf. It was poor satisfaction to a man when he was dead to have people say "thank you” for what he had done. It was far bettei to tell him when he was alive that they realised the value of his work. During the three years Mr. Mairs had been in Patea, His Worship said he had proved himself an ideal citizen, ready and willing at all times to do what ho could on the town's behalf. He was possessed of an abundance of tact, energy and determination, and could be relied upon to carry through anything he had set his hand ‘ to. The fact that Patea, a small town, had ‘twice held the flag for the office gaining the greatest number of National Savings depositors in the Wanganui Postal District, was ample evidence of Mr, Mairs’ energy and ability;

Continuing, His Worship said it was not only in his office work that Mr. Mairs had proved his worth. As a member of the local Patriotic Committee he had done splendid work, seeing that no soldier left for camp without some tangible appreciation from the citizens of Patea, which he, the speaker, had been privileged to hand to the men. As officer in charge of unemployment in the district Mr, Mairs had also done valuable work.

“As Mayor, ns chairman of the Wanganui Education Board, and chairman of the Patea Domain Board, I feel deeply grateful to Mr. Hairs for the valuable assistance he has rendered me," said His Worship. To-day Patea had the best Centennial Memorial in the Dominion in their swimming bath and paddling pool at the beach, His Worship declared. It not only gave pleasure to thousands of adults and children during the summer months, but it afforded the children the means of learning *to swim, and would probably enable many a life to be saved. There ' would have been no memorial without Mr. Mairs ’ assistance. “If there is one thing I am proud of, it is the memorial, one of the best assets the town possesses," said His Worship, ‘‘and I would like to lake this opportunity of thanking Mr, Mairs as chairman of the memorial committee, fr r hia help."

In conclusion His Worship said he ■would like to pay a tribute to Mr. Hairs’ work outside his official duties. Besides these he had set an example of true citizenship in its highest form, and exercised a splendid influence over the young. Would that there were more men of Mr. Hairs’ The world, he said, needed more men of Mr, Hairs’ type.

Referring to Mrs. Hairs, His Worship said, like Hr, Hairs, she was a public spirited worker, and the town would be the poorer by her departure. She had done splendid work, amongst other things for that very worthy institution, Dr. Banardo’s Homes, On behalf of the citizens of Patea, he wished Mr, and Mrs. Hairs and family every happiness and prosperity in the future.

Hr. Francis said as president of the Tennis Club and Home Guard, he would like to express his thanks to Mr, Hairs for assistance rendered at all times. The progress made by the signallers of the Home Guard was solely due to the work of Hr. Hairs. They were not only losing a good postmaster, bitt a good friend. He wished him every success in the future. Mr, Ramsbottom, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, said it was with extreme regret that thc\ were parting with their postmaster, Mr. Hairs, who had been the most efficient postmaster the town had ever had. He wished the authorities could have allowed Mr. Hairs to have stayed at Patea at an increased salary. Mr. Hairs was leaving a most healthy town, for Patea 4iad the lowest death rate and the highest, birth rate in the Dominion. Marlon, he was afraid, would not have so good a record. ■ Mr, Ramsbottom paid a tribute to Mr, Hairs’ work in connection with the Soldiers’ parcels, not one ot (which had been lost or gone astray. He wished • Mr. and Mrs. Hairs good health and every happiness in the future. Should he and Mrs. Hairs ever visit Patea they could be assured of a hearty welcome from one and all.

The Rev. W. 11. Walton said oh behalf of the Church of England he wished Mr. and Mrs. Mairs every happiness and prosperity in the future. The three speeches that had already been made emphasised one of the most valuable assets a country could possess namely good citizenship. In Mr. flairs they had an ideal citizen. Ho

I had done magnificent work in the / moral, physical and spiritual welfare of the town on.which he would leave his mark. The church (was deeply indebted to Mr. Mairs for his good work. He, the speaker, had known Mr. Mairs’ father, who had handed on his good qualities to his son. Both Mr. and Mrs. Mairs had carried out their duties in the moral and spiritual world faithfully and well. He would like’ to express his good wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Mairs in the future. He hoped God 'would bless (hem and give (horn every happiness. Mr. E. E. Moore on behalf of (he School Committee said ho would like to congratulate Mr. Mairs on his well , earned promotion, and to thank him for the assistance rendered to the committee and scholars. He would like to wish Mr. and Mrs. Mairs every happiness in the future. Mr. G. W. Corbett said he would like on behalf of the South Taranaki Shipping Company to take the opportunity of tendering Mr. Mairs his thanks for many kindnesses shown him. They all knew there was a certain amount of red tape with regard to Government officials, but there was verv little red tape about Mr. Mairs, who was always tactful and willing to help. On behalf of the Shipping Companv and himself he wished Mr. and Mrs. Mairs and family every good wish for their future.

Mr. IT. J. Peacocke, on behalf of the Patea Beach Improvement Society said in Mr. and Mrs. Mairs they were losing two who had been good citizens and friends. The beach would be in the condition if was but for Mr. Mairs who had given valuable advice and assisted them in every wtay possible. Whilst very sorry to lose him, they were very glad to learn of his promotion. On behalf of the Beach Improvement Society, he wished Mr. and Airs. Mairs every happiness in the future. Mr. D. Boots, president of* the Patea Golf Club said on behalf of the Golf and Pifle Clubs, he would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Mairs for the help given by them to the two clubs. They would not have the rifle club they had, but for Mr. Mairs. When asked to do anything Mr. Mairs looked at the request from the point of view, "Is it good for the town ” and if it was, he was always ready to help. Ho did not think there was a postmaster who had done so much for the town and what he did was done ungrudgingly. He wished to thank Mr. Mairs for all he had done for the two clubs, and wish him and Mrs. Mairs and family every good wish for the future.

Mr. G. S. Fraser, on behalf of the ‘Patea Amateur Athletic Club congratulated Mr, Mairs ou his well earned promotion, and wished him still further success in the future. In losing him they were losing a good friend. His duties at times were arduous and he had to put people in their place now and again, but they had always found him conscientious and fair minded. When in his office, although pi an official atmosphere, one always felt at home. He wished Mr. and Mrs. Mairs all that was good in the future.

Mr. Jury, on behalf of the Badminton Club, of which Mr. Mairs was president, wished him and Mrs. Mairs every success in the future. His Worship then said he had a very pleasing duty to perform, and that was to ask. Mr. Mairs to accept a dinner service from his many friends in Patea as a slight token of their appreciation of his efforts on their behalf.

Mr. Hairs, who on rising to reply was received with musical honours, said he need hardly say that the hearts of Mrs. Hairs and himself were very full. ' They had to thank the donors of the handsome gift, and the speakers for their kind reference to himself which he felt was not really deserved. Far more credit ho felt' was due to Mrs. Hairs. They were both leaving Patea with very heavy hearts. They liked both the place and the people. Patea was, he declared, one of the most desirable places to live in for health reasons. Both Mrs, Hairs and he would never forget the true friends they had made during their three and a half years in Patea.

Continuing Mr. Hairs said he deeply appreciated the kindly reference by Mr. Walton to his father, who had always stood for good citizenship, and felt that it was only right for a person to do what he could tor the town he was living in. He owed a great deal to his parents who had taught him what citizenship meant. With regard to his official duties he wondered why some had not said something not too pleasing about his work in connection with the benzine restrictions, which he had endeavoured to carry out. 'With regard to the Centennial Memorial, they should not forgot the pioneers who did he spade work. He hoped the BeaMi Improvement Society would carry on its good work us it was a valuable asset to the town. As regards his work as Postmaster, he had always realised that he was a servant of the people and it as his duty to do what he could for them.

In conclusion Mr. Mairs said he could not have done what lie had but fur Mrs. Mairs, who had always been a creat help to him and deserved tar more credit than he did. He need hardly say that Mrs. Mairs and ho would be only too happy to welcome any of the Patea friends should lhe,\ ever be visiting Marten. He again thanked them for the very line present and their good wishes. (Applause). A dainly supper was then handed i" iind and brought a memorable evening to a dose.

During the evening some excellent vocal items were rendered by Miss Illingworth, Mrs. G. Corbett *hnd Messrs F. Naismith and J. C. Gunnison.

Before the gathering dispersed His Worship the Mayor 'thanked Mr. Gunnison, who had organised the function,

anil iill who had contributed to Us success . Apologies tor non-attciulunco wore received from Messrs F. W. Maine], Geo. Williams, G. P. Pettigrew, G. A. Edwards, A. E Waimwright, Dr. Simmons, Revs. W. .1. Henderson and E. Francis Farr and Miss B. Bourkc.