FAREWELL TO MR W. T. WARD.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13825, 21 July 1915, Page 1 (Supplement)

FAREWELL TO MR W. T. WARD.

(From "The Colonist," June 22.) TWre was a large and representative gathering of business and professional men .it the- llaeremai Tea Rooms yesterday afternoon to bid farewell to Mr W. T. Ward, Chief Postmaster at Nelson, who has been promoted to a similar position at Christchurch. Mr C. R. Fell, president of the Nelson Chamber of Commerce, who presided, expressed pleasure at Mr Ward's promotion, but said they were also sorry they were . losing-'his services. They had found him much more than a civil servant —they had found him only too willing at all times to do whatever he could for the public. The last thing hei had done for the Chamber of Commerce was to get the telephone hours extended. (Applause.) Mr Fell apologised for the absence of the Mayor, -and read a letter from Mr W. Rogers (manager of the Anchor Company), expi essing his regret at being unable to bo present, and acknowledging the unfailing courtesy and''ability with which Mr Ward had' at all times discharged his duties. •

The Hon., A. T. Maginnity, M.L.C., said it was always unpleasant to say good-bye, but on the present occasion, in bidding farewell to Mr Ward, they had the- satisfaction of knowing that he was going up another step of the- ladder. He acknowledged tho courtesy invariably shown by Mr Ward and his officers, and went on to refer to the loss of Mr Ward and his family from local musical circles. .They had, he said, been ever ready to help every cause that had 'been "instituted, whether for tho amusement; of the public, or for the aid of any worthy object. Mr"T. A. H. Field, M.P., said that Mr Ward, in his position as Chief Postmaster, had always shown civility and courtesy to everyone Ayith whom he came- in contact. As a citizen he would be missed most of all. There had, he scid. never been an occasion when the services of Mr Ward and his talented family had been asked for that they had 1.-ot been readily and freely given. Just now was not a time for elaborate presentations, but- they felt they could not allow Mr W rard to "go away without giving him some memento, and he asked his a-jceptaoee-' of a framed plwtograph of Nelson as a reminder of the few years he .spent here. He wished Mr Ward every success, and congratulated him on ins well-deserved promoMr C. King, on behalf'of the Harmonic Society, spoke of the very valuable assistance Mr Ward and his family had rendered in the society's orchestra. They bad beard with very great regret of liis removal from Nelson, and lie wished him every happiness and prosperity in his new home Mr W.' S. Hampson, in the absence of the Mayor, and on behalf of the citizens, wished Mr Ward every success in his new sphere. In his position as secretary of the Chamber of Gommerco he had had a great deal to do with Mr Ward, and had always .found him nwt courteous and obliging. Ho was sure the mothers in Nelson w^re grateful to Mr Ward, who haa been most assiduous in inquiring on thenbehalf about our wounded soldiers. Mr W. Lock expressed satisfaction at the-opportunity given business men of expressing their appreciation of Air Ward's services. He was an excellent and capable o!ftcer. and had attended to his duties in a. manner ■ which gave every satisfaction to those who had bao to do with him: He wished: Mr Waid every auccpsr.in Jus new sphere. Dr Mackay said that .111 common with''the rest of the public, he had found Mr Ward at all .times extremely courteous and obliging. Although they were sorry to lose his services, it was gratifv'in;? to know that he was getting woll-ueserved promotion. . ~ ~ . The Rev. J. H. MacKenzie said that Mr Ward's kindness' and suavity was characteristic of the post office statt right through. To him ii> .was a department in which there v/as not mo much red tape. (Hear, hear.) He congratulated Mr Ward upon Ins promotion. , - r Mr H. n Duncan, as chairman ot the Nelson Harbour Board, said h* was "lad to add his not© of appreciation ot Mr Ward. He heartily endorsed -.vtiat the other speakers had said. Mr Ward, on rising to reply, v.as received with loud applause. He sum it was very difficult for htm to reply to what S been said. He felt high y honoured at the gathering. It, w. 9 something be had never expected in bis wildest dreams. He appreciated too Wn loyal to hiuvaml that meant loyaffr public;: He canio; to Neraon aa strange* four and aW« <,rxT wns "oino; • away leaving man} Send* 'rfo tknked" them, for theirSfVwbich 1* appreciated very much. Tt not be necessary as a itLindS as tho stay of himself -an-l his Emily in Nelson had been one of the happiest periods ot thw. lives. uvp the gathering dispersed "Fo^ heVaSllY fellow" ™ ™.g, and cheers were given lor Mr Y\ai«.