“FAMOUS LETTERS.”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18807, 20 February 1931, Page 8

“FAMOUS LETTERS.”

MR ATACK’S EPISTOLATORY STYLE. PRESS ASSOCIATION’S TRIBUTES. By Telegraph—Press Association ROTORUA. February 19. I Members of the United Press Association paid warm tributes to-day to the retiring manager. Mr W. H. Atack, who recently relinquished active duty. A graceful compliment was paid him by the chairman (Mr E. Abbey Jones)* who inviti.J Mr Atack to read his own minutes of the previous annual meeting. Mr Atack performed the formal duty. The presentation of a substantial cheque followed. At the conclusion of the meeting, the chairman said that his association with Mr Atack extended over 25 years, and in humorous vein he related some of their encounters, illustrating Mr Atack’s characteristic epistolatory style, and his determination that deals should be carefully attended to. It was one of the Association’s greatest assets that it had as manager for so long a period, one who was meticulously particular in regard to its affairs. He held his position by ability, efficiency and fidelity, and could carry into his retirement the confidence that he always had the respect of the Association. ; Mr P. Selig (Christchurch), said he had been associated with Mr Atack in journalism for fifty years, and he related reminiscences of their early days. One had only to come into close contact with the work of the Press Association Office to realise what a great organisation the Association was, and how much it owed to the literary and business ability of Mr Atack. Mr A. M. Burns (Christchurch), said that his first experience of Mr Atack was wfc/n he joined the Press Association staff as a cadet, remaining there for seventeen years and then removing to the Christchurch Press as chief sub-editor. He felt that whatever success had attended him had been due to the thorough training which Mr Atack had* given him in the importance of accuracy and method. 6ome of Mr Atack’s famous letters were embalmed in various newspaper offices, but he carried into his retirement the affection and esteem of the newspaper Press of the Dominion. Mr C. W. Earle, on behalf of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association, said the outstanding characteristic of Mr Atack’s long service had been ability, loyalty and fidelity. They were proud of the standard pf their newspaper Press, and Mr AtacK had played a large part in creating that standard. His ideal had been accurate, faithful and prompt presentation oi news. Members were so fully aware i >f his sterling worth that the little personal trait in his correspondence became a very minor matter. Three cheers and musical hon*ours were accorded Mr Atack when he rose to respond. He thanked the chairman for the opportunity to read the minutes for the last time. He would not like to have simply drifted out of the lives of members. He playfully accounted for his “style” o£ letter- writing by relating the anxieties of the Board in 1887, when they met in Auckland to hammer out the cable regulations. He had been told that he would be the most unpopular fellow in New Zealand when they came to be carried out. He could say that nothing he had ever written had been written in malice. In the course of some reminiscent remarks, Mr Atack said that he had a vivid recollection of two outstanding events—first the day on which the Bank of New Zealand was going to close its doors and second, the San Francisco earthquake. Of the first event he was informed on good authority, and he managed to get from the Bank £IOO in gold. (Cries of: “Who For?”) Mr Atack: “Half for me and half for the Association. (Loud laughter). All that night he sat in the House watching the passing of the legislation which saved the Bank. In regard to the ’Frisco earthquake, he had seen the ruins shortly afterwards, and he could not help being struck by the extraordinary duplication that had happened in Napier, though on a smaller scale. After relating another story of a colleague who used to leave dynamite lying about his office, Mr Atack again thanked members for their generous gift, and personal tributes. On the suggestion of Mr A. I. Muir, Mrs Atack was associated with the good wishes extended to the retiring manager.