POPULAR CHIEF.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17981, 28 March 1930, Page 6

POPULAR CHIEF.

FAREWELL BY STAFF. OFF TO PRESS CONGRESS. Mr A. E. Manning, managing director of the Waikato Times, and Mrs Manning, who will leave next week for England to attend the Imperial Press Conference, were made the subjects of. presentations at a pleasant gathering of the staff of the journal yesterday afternoon. On behalf of the staff the editor, Mr E. E. Hooper, described the selection of Mr Manning as a delegate to the conference as a signal event in the history of the paper. The great progress "of the Waikato Times had been largely due to the energy and foresight. that Mr Manning had exhibited. He assured Mr Manning that he would carry with him abroad the goodwill and high esteem of the staff who would follow his travels with a keen personal interest. In asking Mr and Mrs Manning to accept a rug each as a small token of the esteem and respect of the whole staff, Mr Hooper expressed the hope that the warmth of the rugs would remind their users of the warmth and affection held by the staff towards them. He concluded by wishing them a pleasant trip, an interesting time and a safe return. " In reply, Mr Manning spoke feelingly of the demonstration of esteem and affection shown by the staff. . He was certainly proud that the position the Waikato Times occupied' had been recognised by selecting him as a representative to the.lmperial Press Conference. However, lie valued far more than this distinction the affection and goodwill of his fellow workers. He could only say that if they had for him the genuine affection he had for them he was a very happy and lucky man. (Applause). .Mr Manning thanked the staff especially for including Mrs Manning in the presentation. He was going away with the knowledge that he was leaving behind him a splendid, loyal staff doing everything possible to ensure the progress of the business. The gathering concluded with the enthusiastic singing of “ For They Are Jolly Good Fellows ” and the calling of three rousing cheers. CHAIRMAN OF THE DELEGATION. MR R. J. GILMOUR FAREWELLED. A pleasant function took place at the Southland Times (Invercargill) on Monday when Hie literary, commercial and mechanical staffs assembled to bid bon voyage to the managing director, Mr R. J. Gilmour, who leaves next month to attend the Empire Press Union Conference at London. Mr W. F. Blsset (acting-manager) congratulated Mr Gilmour on his selection as chairman of the delegation elected by the New Zealand Press and trusted he would return in better health as the result of his extended trip abroad. Expressions of the staff s goodwill were conveyed by Messrs J. J. WPollard (editorial), E. Keast (linotype) , J. Birss (publishing), J. Thom (jobbing), W. 11. Ketteiwell (commercial) and K. Richards (Goic branch). On behalf of the staffs, Mr D. Robertson, as the oldest employee, presented Mr Gilmour with two travelling rugs lor Mrs Gilmour and himself and a fountain pen. Mr Gilmour suitably responded.