COUNTY OVERSEER RETIRES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 27, 3 February 1939, Page 10

COUNTY OVERSEER RETIRES

FAREWELL TO MR. EGGERS LONG SERVICE TO KIWITEA COUNTY NEW OVERSEER APPOINTED (From Our Own Correspondent) SANSON, Feb. 2. Completing seventeen years’ seivice with the Kiwitea County Council, the county overseer, Mr. F. H. Eggers, resigned his duties at the last meeting of the council. Mr. Eggers. who resides in the Waituna disI trict, has spent almost a lifetime in the Kiwitea County and during the long period the county roads have been under his control they have been consistently well maintained. Hi health recently caused Mr. Eggers to consider retiring and at a meeuing ot the council last year he announced that he would be relinquishing the position in January. At its monthly meeting (he council Look the opportunity of farewelling Mi. Egger.-,. “On behalf of the council I want to say that we are all very sorry that you are leaving us,” said the chairman, Mr. L. T. McLean. “You have been a very faithful servant over the seventeen years as overseer. You have given every satisfaction to the ratepayers as well as to the councillors and the councillors felt that thc> could not let. you depart without some slight token of their appreciation. Nothing was ever too much for you to do and while I am aware that there were times when I made rather big demands on your services, I know that you were always willing and ready to do all within your power lor the welfare of the county,” he said. Cr. McLean went on to say that he had been asked by the roadmen who had worked under Mr. Eggers to make him a presentation and he asked Mr. Eggers’ acceptance of a smoker’s companion from the roadmen, who wished the recipient every happiness in his retirement. Councillors, with the county clerk, Mr. W. L. Hesseltine, continued the chairman, had subscribed towards a presentation and Mr. McLean had much pleasure in handing Mr. Eggers a substantial cheque in appreciation of his services.

Cr. J. H. Williamson said he had known Mr. Eggers all his life and he desired to record his appreciation of his services, which had been earned out in a workmanlike and conscietious manner. Mr. Eggers had saved the county an enormous amount of money by his thrifty administration, and he wished him in his retirement good health and happiness. Cr. D. Stent knew that the ratepayers in the northern end of the county appreciated what Mr. Eggers had done. They had found him fair, just and honest and white in all his dealings. While the speaker was sorry to lose him, it had to be realised that there was a time when one had to retire from oublic life ano he was sure that all would wish Mr. Eggers many, many years of happy life in his retirement. me county clerk. Mr. W. L. Hesseltine, said that to him the day was rather a sad one for with a close association of seventeen years he felt the wrench almost as much as Mr. Eggers. Mr. Eggers had been very conscietious and very faithful to the council and the speaker was sorry that ill health had compelled him to retire. He trusted that Mr. Eggers would be long spared to enjoy the fruits of his labour.

"This indeed is a very great surprise to me,” said Mr. Eggers in acknowledging the gifts. He felt it difficult to express his feelings under such circumstances and was confident that he was not entitled to all the kindly references made regarding his services. Nevertheless he had always done his very best and he would say that the very best of feelings always existed between the council ana himself. He had always worked to further the best interests of the council and in his retirement he knew that his thoughts would ever be with thoswith whom he had been so long associated. He could never forget the kindness and consideration shown towards him during the periods of his indisposition and he knew that, his family would appreciate the sentiment prompting the presentations. "1 am extremely pleased to knovc that the roadmen had felt it an occasion to make me a presentation," continued Mr. Eggers. "In everyday

life too much value was placed on £ s d —every happiness seemed to be guaged on the money one had in hand. It was all very nice to be able to jingle coins in one's pocket but what i value most of all is goodwill and I appreciate very much that the roadmen have thought of their old overseer. I appreciate their very .kind gesture apd although I value the gifts I value more the goodwill that prompted them. I thank you all very sincerely for what you nave done,” he said.

Mr. Eggers went, on to pay a tribute to the work of Mr. Hesseltine and spoke of the kindly that had existed between the County Council and the speaker. He concluded by expressing his thanks to the representatives of the Press. New Overseer Welcomed The new overseer, Mr. James Hallinan, was then cordially welcomed by the chairman, who expressed the hope that Mr. Hallinan would be as successful as Mr. Eggers in the task he would have to perform. He assured Mr. Hallinan that the council would work in with him and give him every assistance in his duties. Replying, Mr. Hallinan thanked the chairman and councillors for their i welcome and expressed his thanks i.G I Mr. Eggers for the assistance he had | rendered in showing him over the • county. “It is my job now and 1 . will endeavour to do my utmost to further the interests of the county,” he concluded. Offering his congratulations to • Mr. Hallinan, Mr. Eggers said that the council had made a wise choice in selecting an experienced man for jthe duties of overseer. He was confident that the council would be well satisfied with Mr. Hallinan.