40 YEARS' SERVICE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19860, 10 February 1939, Page 14

40 YEARS' SERVICE

BUILDING SOCIETY MR. A. G. BEERE'S WORE PRESENTATION MADE There was a large gathering of members and former members of the Gisborne Co-operative Building Society at the Masonic Hall, Childers road, last evening to pay tributes to the work of the ex-secretary, Mr. A. G. Beere, in the interests of the society and to bid him farewell on the eve'of his departure for Australia. "It came as a great shock to the directors when we received Mr. Beere's resignation a short while ago," said Mr. C. H. Ambridge, president of the society, who added: that Mr. Beere had resided in Gisborne for over half a century, and the speaker did not know of anyone who had given greater service to the community at large than Mr. Beere. Reference was made by Mr. Ambridge to his associations with Mr. Beere over a long period, and he declared that the success of the society was due in a large measure to the conscientuous work of the secretary. Mr. Ambridge expressed the hope that Mr. and Mrs. Beere would enjoy improved health in Australia, where they proposed making their home. Loss Keenly Felt

While the society keenly felt its loss an the resignation of Mr. Beere, it was to be congratulated upon securing the services of Mr. M. W. Craig as secretary, Mr. Craig having been closely associated with the society as auditor for 18 years, said Mr. Ambridge. On behalf of the members of the society Mr. Ambridge presented Mr. Beere with a substantial sum in recognition of his 40 years' service. The directors of the society presented Mr. Beere with a canteen of cutlery. As a member of the society who had subscribed to the first issue, Mr. George Holmes joined with the president in paying a warm tribute to the work of Mr. Beere. He declared that Mr. Beere had considered service before self and in his tolerant manner always had been ready to spend his time to give advice to others, doing his own work often at night. Mr. Beere had gained for himself a place of esteem in the community, while Mrs. Beere, by her willingness to lend, a hand, had endeared herself to many. Volunteer Service Other speakers referred to Mr. Beere's association with the volunteers in the early days and to his other interests, including the band and lodge activities. Among those who spoke were Messrs. J. J. Macdonald, T. Corson, Hunter Witters, H. Miller, E. T. Doddrell, sen., James Innes, Harry Holmes, M. W. Craig, F. H. Forge, C. Blackburn, A. T. Coleman and V. S. Vincent.

In reply, Mr. Beere thanked the many speakers and declared that he had always tried to do his duty and to help the society. He related incidents in the early days of the society's activities and explained what had been accomplished by the members themselves. They had combined to help one another in the co-opera-tive spirit, on which basis the society was formed.

Mr. Beere said that the society had been most fortunate in having such a fine band of directors, who had rendered yeoman service. Only two assistants had served in the society's office during his secretaryship and both had performed valuable work on the society's behalf. He had known Mr. Craig for many years and he was sure that Mr. Craig would ably carry on the duties *of secretary. Mr. Beere concluded by wishing the society every success.