VALEDICTORY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17948, 28 November 1932, Page 4

VALEDICTORY

HARBOR ENGINEER COURTESIES ACKNOWLEDGED At the close of this month tile term of Mr. C. F. Marshall Smith’s appointment as harbor engineer expires, aiid to-day’s meeting of the Gisborne Harbor Board was the occasion taken by Mr. Smith to acknowledge the treatment he had received from members of the board during the four and a half years he. had occupied his present post, lie included in his monthly report to the board the following reference to his impending retirement from the direct set-' vice of the ratepayers:— ‘Tn presenting this, my last report, to the board, I wish to take the opportunity of expressing my appreciation of the cordial relations that have in general existed between myself and the chairman and members of tho board during the last four and a half years. There have been differences of opinion, which is only natural, but they have not interfered in any way with the harmonious relations between us.

“It is with real regret that I am now severing mv connection with you all and. with the work that has occupied my time here. At least I can feel that my time has not beeen wasted, and that I have accomplished something tangible for the benefit of the board and the ratepayers generally. I may state that I am continuing to reside in Gisborne, and will always have the interests of the harbor at heart, and that my professional services will he available at any time they may be required. “In conclusion, 1 should like to thank all the other officials whose friendly cc-operntion and assistance, have made iny work a pleasure, and all employees of the hoard who have given tne continuously loyal and efficient service.” A presentation to Mr. Smith, as it mark of appreciation of Ills services and as a reminder of the manv extraordinary problems he had faced in the employ of the board, was made by the chairman, Mr. .T. Tomhlcson, tho gift of the board taking the fonq of a handsome silver salver bearing an inscription recording the connection of Mr. 0. F. Marshall Smith with the completion of tho harbor works. In acknowledging the presentation, Mr. Smith remarked that ho found it more difficult than he had anticipated to bid tho members of the board farewell. He again expressed his keen appreciation of the cordial relations he had found in the board itself gnd in the staff, and of tho and courtesy given him by every member of the board.