VALEDICTORY.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16813, 3 June 1926, Page 5

VALEDICTORY.

48 YEARS' PUBLIC SERVICE. MISS I. F. R, KELLS. A complimentary dinner was tendered by the residents of Lichfield lo Miss I. F. R, Kclls, who is retiring from the position of postmistress, after 48 years in the Government service. Miss. Kells first came lo Lichfield 38 years ago as school teacher, which position she held for 30 years, for eleven of which she also acted as postmistress. Latterly Miss Kells has devoted the whole of her lime to the post office, of which she was in sole charge. Over a hundred guests sat down tc the banquet, the visitors being received by Mr ami Mrs D. D. Sneddon and Mr and Mrs W. 11. Pepperill. Among the guests were -Mr F. F. Iluckly, M.P., and Mr A. Alexander, of the Agricultural Department, Hamilton. In toasting the guest, of the evening, Mr Alexander recalled how Miss Kells had arrived to take charge of the local school 38 years ago. The inhabitants were a "wml and woolly" lot in those days, but they had taken to the new teacher, and had loved her ever since. (Applause.) If anything had to be done they always fell back on Miss Kells, and she had stood like a rock lo Lichfield. Nothing had been too much trouble lo her, and he had known her walk miles to deliver a telegram in the dark and wet. He had great pleasure in wishing her long life and happiness. (Loud applause.) A Handsome Gift. 63""" Mr F. F. Hockly, in Handing Miss Kells a beautiful gold watch and chain and a cheque, said he was very pleased to be present at the function. Very few public servants could boast of the long and honourable record which Miss Kells had. Forty-eight years in the public service was a wonderful record. New Zealand was particularly fortunate for he felt no country had a finer public service than it had, and tins fact was too often not appreciated. Miss Kclls had a remarkable record in a remarkable service. In all probability, Miss Kells would agree that tier 3D years as teacher was the most important, and there were many round the table that night who could thank her for her wise tuition. It was csscnlial that men and women of high character should be attracted to the teaching profession, and Lichfield had been particularly fortunate in securing a woman of Miss Hell's character. The memento represented not only the respect and esteem of the residents, but their love as .well. (Loud applause.) Miss McCarroll, the present teacher, conveyed the best wishes of the school children, and Miss Jean Sneddon presented Miss Kells with a beautiful bouquet. Miss Kelts' Reply. On rising to reply, Miss Kells received an ovation. It was a great task, she slated, to find words lo express her gratitude. She had fell \<m proud as she listened lo the kind remarks, but she also felt unworthy of them, for she had been brought up to do her duty, and had tried her best lo carry it out in practice. In reminiscent vein Miss Kclls told how during her 37 i years' residence she had seen Lichfield "grow" back instead of forward. When she first came, Lichfield was I lie terminus of the main railway line- to Auckland. There was a two-storey hoi el, .stores, butchers' shops, railway houses, and a bank, and it was nothing to see in or 50 settlers with. Iheir buggies at the station. At that lime Putaruru consisted (if two houses—(laughter)—and Tokoroa was nothing ' bul a wild plain. Malamala was represented by a. few houses built by the late Mr .i. C. Firlh. Referring lo Auckland. .Miss Kells mentioned thai her grandmother built the first house in Onchunga, and an aunt was Ihe first while child horn there. During Ihe stay she, had many co-workers who had assisted her most, gloriously. She regretted to have lo give up. hut for health reasons was compelled l" take the step she was laking. II would always be a great pleasure for her lo look back on that wonderful evening. Al, Ihe conclusion of the dinner the school-room was cleared and dancing indulged in UH a. late hour.