GORE CITIZEN HONOURED

Southland Times, Issue 21896, 23 December 1932, Page 8

GORE CITIZEN HONOURED

MR A. J. KERSE’S DEPARTURE. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TRIBUTE. Not the least important of the many activities undertaken by Mr A. J. Kerse during his residence in Gore was his association, with the local Chamber of Commerce of which he has been president for the past three years. That his impending departure for Masterton was regretted by his fellow members of the chamber, was apparent yesterday afternoon when at a very representative gathering of local business men in the Gore Council Chambers Mr Kerse was presented with a beautifully hand written illuminated address as an expression of appreciation of his services to the chamber.

The Mayor, Mr A. T. Newman, who is also vice-president of the chamber presided and there were also present Messrs H. A. Price, F. V. Piper, W. D. Shelton, C. M. Wilson, C. R. B. Wilkinson, T. J. Sherbourne, W. B. Johnston, R. S. Green, O. Howells, James Hunter, A. H. Aitken, A. B. Caverhill, H. H. Doughty and Dr J. J. Gresham. The chairman, in presenting Mr Kerse with the address, said that there were few men who had so keenly interested themselves in various local organizations as Mr Kerse had done. Any movement which he believed to be for the general good of the community had received his whole-hearted support while his enthusiasm had been the means of making others give of their best. As president of the Chamber of Commerce he had done much to improve its status and to encourage local business men to take a keener interest in its affairs. He had also given excellent service to the community in numerous other directions and his departure would be a distinct loss to the town.

Mr R. S. Green, past president, also paid a tribute to the work accomplished by Mr Kerse on behalf of the chamber. As a past president he felt that he was privileged in stating that Mr Kerse had done more to raise the status of the chamber than any president who had preceded him. He had been largely instrumental in largely increasing its membership and also in widening the scope of its activities. Where action was required Mr Kerse had not been slow to take it while energy and enthusiasm had been displayed in anything he had undertaken.

Messrs W. D. Shelton and C. M. Wilson referred more particularly to the interest taken by Mr Kerse in the Returned Soldiers’ Association, for which his services had always been freely given.

Messrs H. A. Price and F. V. Piper paid a warm tribute to Mr Kerse’s business integrity and said that in all their dealings with him they had found that his word, once given, was never departed from. Other members present also made appreciative reference to Mr Kerse’s work on behalf of the town and expressed the hope that as the result of the transfer to a warmer climate, Mrs Kerse would be greatly benefited. The address was as follows:— “The Gore Chamber of Commerce (Incorporated) in general meeting having learned with great regret of your impending departure on transfer to the Masterton branch of the same Mercantile Agency Company of which you have been manager at Gore for the past six years, and in view of your occupancy of the presidential chair for the third year in succession, a privilege and honour not hitherto enjoyed by a past president, desires to present to you this address in. order to mark its approval of your services faithfully performed on its behalf and that of all sections of the mercantile and retail interests of the town.

“It is specially desired to express to you our admiration of the efficient and tactful manner in which you conducted meetings and the initiative displayed in breaking new ground unrestrained by stale precedents and undismayed by unsuspected contingencies in your efforts to promote progress. “The enthusiasm and energy shown in repeated and successful efforts to increase the personnel, widen the scope, enlarge the sphere and extend the influence of the chamber won our commendation, stimulated public interest and popularized the new activities and usefulness of the organization. “We would further express our gratification at your readiness on short notice to act as official representative of the chamber on all public occasions and at conferences of Dominion and local importance. “We trust that the experience in business gained in Southland will prove of advantage to you in the north. “We feel sure that in any position of trust or importance you may be privileged to occupy you will fully demonstrate your ability and worth. “We sincerely hope that the change you are making may prove beneficial to you and your family, to all of whom we wish the full enjoyment of health, happiness, prosperity and peace.”