TE ARAROA NEWS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17125, 4 December 1929, Page 8

TE ARAROA NEWS

postmaster farewelled (lterald Correspondent.) Despite the bad weather, the people of Te Araroa and district attended in large numbers to bid farewell to Mr. Earnshaw, who, with Mrs. Earnshaw, is leaving Te Araroa after six years’ service as postmaster. Mr. W. E. Metcalfe, late chairman of the Matakaoa County Council, spoke in glowing terms of Mr. Earn-, shaw as postmaster, always obliging and courteous. The telephone exchange when he arrived was only open from 7 a.m. to 7 pan., but now it was open from (3 a.m. to 10 p.m.; the business of the ofiice had doubled. Ife also took the opportunity of publicly thanking Mr. Earnshaw for the great interest he / had taken in the Returned Soldiers’ Association, and for the service rendered by him for both Maori and pakeha returned men. He had been president of the local association and just prior to leaving was corresponding secretary. He would be very much missed in this connection, and he would he hard to replace. However, the association would have the consolation of knowing that he was only going to Gisborne, and no doubt he would look aflter the interests of the old Digger friends from Te Araroa.

Mr. Paul Hockley, manager of the Te Araroa Trading Co., also spoke of the courtesy and many little kindnesses rendered him and his company by Mr. Earnshaw and stuff. He drew attention to the fact' that there were too many farewells in Te Araroa, and that they were always losing their best citizens by their being transferred to other places. He concluded by wishing them good luck and prosperity in their new home.

Mr. J. P. Pettie, of Pukeamaru, spoke endorsing the remarks of the previous speakers, and on behalf of the settlers thanked Mr. Earnshaw for his unfailing courtesy at all times. Mr. Charles Puha. said that lie hud been deputed by the Maori returned soldiers to thank Mr. Earnshaw for the good work lie had done in bringing the Maori side of the returned soldiers before tlie authorities. He mentioned several cases of hardship amongst them which Mr. Earnshaw had taken up with Gisborne, and that in each deserving case instant attendance had been given, both with medical attention and food, lie concluded by saying that Mr. Earnshaw carried away with him the best wishes of ail the Maoris from To Araroa and district.

Mr. W. Gelt said the post office stall' also wished Mr. and Mrs. Earnshaw good luck, and thanked Mr. Eanisliaw for the kind way ho had always- treated his stall and his good advice to the younger members.

, Ah'. F. S. Jackson then presented Mr. Eai'iislmw witli a wallet of notes on behalf of the people of the district. Air. Earnshaw, replying, thanked all for attending, and also for their kind thought in presenting him with a token of their esteem. Referring to Mr Metcalf’s remarks regarding the post office, Mr Earnshaw said lie was pleased to be able to inform the public that the business done at the office had doubled itself during his term as postmaster. However, the staff had remained the same. 'With regard to the returned soldiers, he said lie was a returned man himself and had always taken the keenest interest in the welfare off' returned soldiers and the association, and would continue to do so. If he could help the local 1 association while ,in Gisbovne they l ad only to command him. tin concluded by thanking Mr. Gluts. J’uha and all the Maoris, and took the opportunity of introducing his successor, Mr. Martin.

Supper was partaken of after the presentation and a, very pleasant evening came to a close at 12.30 a.m.