VALEDICTORY

Temuka Leader, Issue 7523, 4 January 1917, Page 2

VALEDICTORY

On Saturday last, ♦JOtlx December, two presentations wore made at the Temuku Post Cilice, in the prekmce of the whole of Mho stall, wb.cn Mr atcpUi’ttSjon, ISjßiaiiajstor* presented Messrs x\. M, Grant and E. J.Roche with parting gifts fram thq stall. Air Grant, who is leaving tor vlie front, was presented wiih a handsome wristlet wateu, and in a neat spasoli Air BtepUeusou eulogised jili; Grant as a good, eons'ciomious oiiicer, always Willing to meet the requirements of the oiliee, and all were very sorry to lose him, /til regretted it was necessary for him to raae the step: he had taken, w|iuch tney ad admired, , out it was tno aoi-e ot ail that ho would oo sueeesslul and spared to return to do' inuga, when ho would receive a nearly welcome back. they wished nun the best of good fuck. (Af' plause.) i In reply, Mr Grant ■thanked one and all for their kind token of* goodwill, and said each time ho would look at the time it would recall his memory to the happy times he hadspent among his brother officers in temuKa. lie would prize the present very much, and highly appreciated the kind- remarks of Mr Stephenson. He had always tried to do his duty Well, and hoped he was as succession m his new undertaxing. (Applause.) Mr Stephenson then, called upon Mr Roche tp accept a handsome travelling rug from the stall, and stated, although they wore glad to know ot his preferment, they were ail extremely sorry to lose the services of : one who had been so long associated with the office and district. Mis loss would bo keenly felt, as practically all the members -of the stall were new to the oiliee. In handing Mr RJoche the rug ho wished both Air and Airs Roche every success and good health in their new homo, and said they would bo greatly missed in i’emuka’. He hoped they would gdt on as • 'Well in Havelock as they had done in Temuka, and make as many friends.

in reply, Mr Roche thanked Mr' Stephenson and brother ollicers. from the bottom of his heart for their kind, valuable, and most acceptable present,- which both he and Mrs Roche would value very much. They had taken him greatly by surprise, and ho appreciated the kind remarks' of Mr Stephenson, and kind feelings shown towards him from the whole staff. 'Although a lot of the members were new he had found them loyal and upright, and always* willing to meet emergencies cheerfully. He gave them a piece of good advice, and told them not to bo afraid of work, as the Department had a lot to cope with owing to tile war and shortage of officers, and it rested with all remaining members of the service to uphold the dignity of the Department, and see that the work was carried on successfully. He urged them to be loyal to their chief, and also assist his successor, "He again' thanked them, ami was greeted with "Hoi- he’s a jolly good fellow.”