TEMUKA LONG SERVICE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23186, 27 April 1945, Page 3

TEMUKA LONG SERVICE

Mr H. Grocott Retires Presentation From Staff Of Post Office Reminiscences of half a century of service in the Post and Telegraph Department, which lie joined in 1894 as message boy at Dunedin, were given by Mr H. Grocott at a farewell tunelion in his honour given by the staff of the Temuka Post Office in the Temuka Musical Society's Rooms on Wednesday evening. The Postmaster (Mr S. G. Heffernan) presented Mr Grocott with a solid leather suit case from the staff. Mr Grocott, he said, held the distinction of being possibly the oldest serving officer in the Department and joined up at an earlier date than any other officer. After joining the Post and Telegraph Department as message boy in 1894. he had been stationed successively at Akaroa. Green Island. Pleasant Point and Temuka. His adventurous spirit was shown by an interlude of six years from 1909. when lie went to Bolivia as a missionary. Invalided home through ill-health, Mr Grocott rejoined the Department and remained with it until his retirement at the end of last month.

Mr Grocott’s period of service extended over nearly 51 years, continued Mr Heffernan. He joined the staff of the Temuka Post Office as supervisor in 1941, at a time when the work of the office was increasing owing to the war, and the staff had been handicapped owing to six officers going on war service. Mr Grocott had done a good job. He was alert both mentally and physically and had never failed to adapt himself to changing conditions, while his never-failing cheerfulness had helped to maintain the excellent spirit of the staff. Besides being steeped in P. & T. tradition, Mr Grocott was founder of the Boys’ Brigade in the Dominion and editor of the Boys’ Brigade Magazine. Sincere tributes on behalf of the staff were paid by Mr M. S. Ansford and Mr A. Burgess to Mr Grocott’s capabilities and cheerfulness, and a wish was expressed that he and Mrs Grocott would be spared to enjoy a well-earned retirement.

On behalf of the women members of the staff Miss E. Henderson wished Mr Grocott a happy retirement and presented Mrs Grocott with a bouquet. Opportunity was taken to welcome the new supervisor (Mr H. L. Stone) and his wife to Temuka. During the evening songs were given bv Mrs G. P. Smart, Miss Prewer and Messi’s M. E. Eagle, M. Ansford and R. South. Mrs Smart gave a number of humorous recitations. Accompaniments were played by Mrs Smart and Miss M. Earl.

St. Joseph’s Football Club A successful year for the St. Joseph's Old Boys Football Club was shown in th? report presented at the annual meeting by the secretary (Mr M. C. ,Hanifin). A team took part in the local competition and was runner-up. During the year presentations were made to Messrs L. Scott, W. Harrison and P. Farrell who had joined the Armed Forces.

Congratulations were extended to Messrs F. Burke. M. Leonard, G. Moore, L. Bresnahan. L. Scott, R. Moreland. P. Scannell, J. Breen. M. Haughey, M. Murphy and R. Scott on gaining representative honours during the year. Sympathy was expressed with the Rev. Father P. P. Cahill. S.M., Messrs G. Horgan and L. P. Brosnahari, who suffered bereavements during the year. The president (Mr G. Horgan) thanked all who had assisted the club and particularly the Rev. Father P. J. Smyth. Mr M. Murphy and the acting secretary (Mr M. Haughey). The secretary (Mr M. C. Hanifin) offered a cup tor the most improved player. Officers were elected as follows: Patron, the Rev. Father P. J. Smyth. S.M.; president, Mr G. Horgan; senior vice-president, the Rev. Father P. P. Cahill. S.M.; junior vice-president. Mr F. Sullivan; secretary and treasurer, Mr M. C. Hanifin; club captain and coach, Mr M. Murphy; vice-presidents, Messrs W. Scott, G. Spillane, J. Spillane. J. O'Neil, V. O'Neil. M. Healy, Coughlan Bros.. P. S. Quirke, W. J. Quirke, W. Hanifin, C. Hanifin. P. Hanifin. C. Horgan. V. Spillane, N. Quinn. B. C. Haughey, P. Burke, A. Scott and J. Scott.