POPULAR RETIRING PRESS MANAGER IS HONOURED.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 43, 20 February 1931, Page 5

POPULAR RETIRING PRESS MANAGER IS HONOURED.

Per Press Association. ROTORUA, February 19. 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 invited Mr Atack to read his own minutes of the previous annual meeting. This suggestion was cordially endorsed by the meeting, and 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 twenty-five years. In humorous vein, he related some of their encounters, illustrating Mr Atack’s characteristic epistolary style, and his determination that details 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 their affairs. He had held his position by ability, efficiency and fidelity, aqd could carry into his retirement the confidence that he always had the respect of the association. In'the course of some reminiscent remarks, Mr Atack said that he had a vivid recollection of two outstanding events —the first, the day on which the Bank of New Zealand was going to close; and the 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 San Francisco 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. The meeting heartily applauded him. and, on the suggestion of Mr A. L. Muir, Mrs Atack was associated, \vith the good wishes extended to the retiring manager.