TRIBUTES TO POPULAR JOURNALIST

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23265, 28 July 1945, Page 4

TRIBUTES TO POPULAR JOURNALIST

Farewell Presentation To Mr R. N. Downes Tributes to the services of Mr R. N. Downes, who. after 18 years as a member of the literary staff of “The Timaru Herald. " has been appointed editor of the "Ashburton Guardian.” were paid last evening when members of the staff gathered to bid him farewell. In making a presentation, the editor (Mr lan Donnelly) thanked Mr Downes for his loyal and untiring services and commended him on the example he had set in journalism. The editor’s remarks were endorsed by the managing director (Mr E. G. Kerri, the manager (Mr A. M. Parker) and members of the literary and mechanical staffs. The speakers referred to Mr Downes’ personal qualities and wished him the best of luck in his new appointment. Congratulations on his appointment as editor of the “Guardian” were extended to Mr Downes at a meeting of the South Canterbury executive of the Farmers' Union yesterday. Before assuming sub-editorial duties on “The Timaru ’Herald.” Mr Downes had reported meetings of the Farmers’ Union for man'’ year- said the secretary (Mr A. B. Struthers' and members had the highest praise for the way in which farming affairs had been reported. The meeting wished Mr Downes success in his new appointment. Members of the South Canterbury Jockey Club, at their annual meeting yesterday, also took the opportunity to congratulate Mr Downes on his new appointment. the president (Mr Donald Grant' thanking him for t? ' Quality and accuracy of his reports of racing interest and wishing him the best in the future.

£5O STOLEN

Safe Blown Open iN.Z.P.A.) GISBORNE, July 27. Burglars blew open the safe in the booking office of the Gisborne railway station during the night and escaped with more than £5O. The office window was forced by the intruders who used cushions, coats and a tarpaulin to muffle the sound of the explosion. The Works Department garage was also entered during the night.