Departure of Mr Greenwod.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 656, 10 September 1891, Page 3

Departure of Mr Greenwod.

By the steamer Talune to-morrow Mr G. L Greenwood leaves for Christchurch, having received the appointment of Official Assignee in that city. As Mr Greenwood’s name has, so far of course as his official position would permit, been closely identified with all good works in Gisborne for many years, a representative of the Standard waited on him to get a few particulars concerning the multi fariouß duties or services he has performed in Gisborne, and also some idea of the changes that he must have seen during the time he has resided here. Like nearly all men who are popular and esteemed by their fellowcitizens, Mr Greenwood is not partial to ■peaking about himself, though he has ever been most obliging in other matters. However, when the opportunity presented itself, our representative had the advantage of a general conversation. Tn his earlier days Mr Greenwood was in the Civil service under the old Provincial system, doing duty at Hawera, Beefton, and Oamaru. From the latter place he came to Gisborne, in August of 1875 (sixteen years ago), as C'erk of the Resident Magistrate’s Court. The old Courthouse stood on the site now occupied by Mr William Adair’s handsome warehouse The late Dr Nesbitt was then the Resident Magistrate, and Mr Greenwood has the melancholy recollection that four excellent Magistrates under whom he has served have since been removed by the hand of Death— Dr Nesbitt, Mr Whitefoord, Mr Kenrick, and Mr Matthew Price. The late Captain Reed was ° monarch of Poverty Bay ” on Mr Greenwood’s arrival, and the latter can tell some good anecdotes of the old days. In those times harbor works were hardly thought of, but hopes of oil being struck at an early period had already been held. There was little to boast of in the shape of

roads or public works of any kind, and as an idea of the progress that has been made Mr Greenwood relates that the old post and telegraph office conld be run by the one man, who was subsequently allowed the assistance of a messenger. The Anglican Church building had the complaint raised against it that it was too far out of town, and some members thought that it should have been placed in a more central position ! Such arguments naturally cause a smile at the present time, viewed in the light of the progress that has taken place, To Mr Greenwood's ordinary office there was in Course of time added that of Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, Registrar of Elections, Clerk to the Licensing Bench, and Registrar of the Supreme Court. That he has discharged the duties of those offices to the satisfaction of the different Govern, manta and of the people in general is testified by the universal appreciation that has been expressed at his services. Apart from his Official duties, too, Mr Greenwood has been an active worker, and here we may also mention Mrs Greenwood, who has ably cooperated. Mr Greenwood has alwaysjjbeen t lesions member of the Anglican Church, in which he has held the office of Minister's Warden, and been a Vestryman. He has also rendered much assistance as a lay reader, and has tong been Superintendent of the Sunday-school. In musical circles Mr and Mrs Greenwood have been prominent in any good cause. He was for a period President of the Choral Society and later acted as Secretary. Naturally, after spending many happy years in Gisborne, and being surrounded by a wide circle of friends, it is not without a pang of regret that a departure is made from the place. In wishing Mr and Mrs Greenwood and family happiness and prosperity in their new home, We may confidently say that we are giving expression to the sentiment felt by everyone in the district. In including the family we may remark that Muster Gleen wood’s future career will be of more than ordinary interest to Gisborne people. He has shown remarkable intellectual powers, the development of which ought to bring him into the front rank in future days.