COMMISSIONER OF CROWN LANDS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16423, 17 January 1919, Page 6

COMMISSIONER OF CROWN LANDS.

RESIGNATION OF MR TV. H. SKINNER, , Bcforo starting the business at yesterday's meeting of tho Canterbury Land Board, the chairman, Mr W. H. Skinner, Commissioner of Crown Lands for Canterbury, informed members that ho had placed his resignation from tho public service in the hands of the Minister of Lands (tho Hon. D. H.Guthrie), and it would take effect from April 3rd next. , - The announcement of Sir Skinner s resignation does not come altogether as a surprise to his friends, who have been aware that bnt for war conditions Mr Skinnor would liavo retired some time ago. Sir Skinner holds what is probably a unique rccord for a public servant in the Dominion, as he will, on the date of liis retirement, liavo completed' close upon 47 years' in the public service. During that lengthy period, with the exception of one year's leave to visit the British Isles, Mr Skinner haß had hardly more than two or three days' absence from, his duties owing to illnoss, a rccord that was only broken when he was laid up with influenza during the recent epidemic. Mr Skinner started his long and highly creditable career in the public servico as a cadet in tho Lands and Survey office, under tho TaranqJti Provincial Government. After four vears cadotebip h© had tw©lv© years In tho field in the Taranaki. province as assistant-surveyor; from 1888 to 1911 he served in various capacities, including inspecting officer, office surveyor, land transfer draughtsman, and general draughtsman. In 1911. Mr Skinner was promoted Crown Lands Commissioner and Chief Surveyor for Marlborough; in 1914 he became Crown Lands Commissioner and Chief Surveyor for Hawke's Bay; and in 191G he took up similtlr positions in Canterbury. During the period Mr Skinner has been in Christchurch he has taken considerable interest' in the Summit Road Reserves, and is chairman of tho Board which controls thenl. Last year Mr Skinner was president of the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, before v/hich he road a valuable t papcr on afforestation, a subject in which he has been always deeply interested.