JOURNALISTS FAREWELL DEPARTING COLLEAGUE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17699, 20 November 1925, Page 11

JOURNALISTS FAREWELL DEPARTING COLLEAGUE.

RECEPTION ACCORDED MR A. D. WYLIE, LEAVING N.Z. | There was a very large and re- ' presentative gathering of members of the Christchurch Journalists’ Union and other journalists at Ballantyne’s yesterday afternoon to bid farewell to Mr A. D. Wylie, who has been a member of the literary staff of the “Lyttelton Times” for over eighteen years, the last six as assistant editor, and who is shortly leaving to take up a position on the editorial staff of the Sydney “Bulletin." Mr M. E. Lyons. M.P.. president of the union, expressed pleasure at seeing such a large and representative gathering present. It was a tribute to the great popularity of Mr Wylie. Mr Lyons then read a number of apologies for absence, amongst them being letters from Mr A. G. Henderson, manager and • editor of the “Lyttelton Times," Mr Alex Burns, manager of the Christchurch Press Co.. Mr M. C. Keane, editor of the “Press,” and Mr S. Saunders, a former editor of the “Lyttelton Times.” Mr Lyons said that Mr Wylie had done a great deal of work for the Christchurch and Xew Zealand journalists, having been prominently associated with any movement which made for better conditions for the working journalists. Moreover, he had clone all this work quite disinterestedly. The success of the Xew Zealand Journalists’ Association and the Christchurch Journalists’ Union was largely due tu his labours. In making Mr Wylie a presentation of a gold fountain pen and pencil, on behalf of the members of the union, XTr Lyons said it was accompanied by the good wishes of every journalist in Christchurch. They were certain Mr Wylie would do well in his new sphere. (Applause). M* J. A. Dickson, ex-president of the New Zealand Journalists’ Association, paid a tribute to the work Mr Wylie had done for the association, and for which all journalists in the Dominion were very much indebted to him. Mr Wylie had occupied the position of treasurer, and for the past ten years had been secretary of the association. He had put ail his abilities into the work of improving the general conditions. Mr Dickson expressed regret at losing a close personal friend and a brilliant journalist. Messrs W. G. A tack, J. S. Kelly, A. B. Lane and Andrew Burns endorsed the remarks oi the previous speakers and added a few "personal reminiscences. Mr Wylie, who was warmly applauded on rising to reply, thanked his fellow journalists for the gifts and for the flattering things that had been said about him. He was quite sure th&y were not all true. What had been done for the New Zealand Journalists’ Association was due more to the cider men who had guided him than to any ability of his own. lie had no idea he was held in such high esteem, and he also,had no idea that there were so many journalists in Christchurch as the gathering disclosed. It only went to show what a large newspaper centre Christchurch was developing into. Mr Wylie said he had been born in Christchurch. and he was leaving it with great regret. He would do his best to live up to all the kind things that had keen said about him that afternoon. The function was brought to a conclusion by the singing of “For He's a Jolly Good Fellow '' and cheers lor Mr Wylie.