A RETIRING CIVIL SERVANT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1013, 31 December 1910, Page 6

A RETIRING CIVIL SERVANT.

GATHERING OF TREASURY , .OFFICERS. . One of the oldest ''officers''of the Treasury Department, Mr. R. B. Vincent, Assistant-Secretary, who is retiring on superannuation at- the> end of the year" on account of ill-health, waSi farewelled yesterday afternoon. The whole, staff of the Department gathered in the main office, when Mr'. J. W. Poynton, Secretary of the Treasury, remarked that Mr. Vincent had, by his knowledge of the duties of-the office, his geniality, and kindness, endeared himself to all who worked with him. Mr. Poynton read-a telegram from Colonel, Collins, the head of the Department, (who is at presont in Napier), expressing regret at the loss of so valuable an officer as Mr. Vincent, and at his inability to be present at the gathering. . . ' The Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward), iin handing Mr. Vincent a travelling-trunk, suit case, and lady's hat-box, r and a pair of Zeiss binoculars, on behalf of the staff, concurred with tlie remarks made by Mr. .Poynton, It was never pleasant, he added, to assemble and say farewell to. ;one\who' had passed the grdater part'of his lifetime in the service of the country.' As far back as 1868 Mr. Vincent had joined-the Armed Cmistabulai-y in NewZealand, and had taken part in, the campaign against Te Kooti, for which service ho had received the New Zealand war medal. (Applause.) In 1872 Mr. Vincent became storekeeper to the Public Works Department. From that Department he went into the Defence Stores, and in. 1878 he entered the Treasury. The revenue at | that time totalled £3,551,000, and this I had now increased by £5,657,000, and i tho expenditure, which in 1878 had. been £3,652,000, had increased by £5,339,-' 000. This, said Sir Joseph Ward, showed the remarkable development which had taken place. Speaking for tho Government, the Prime Minister said it was recognised that ■ Mr. Vincent had been a faithful servant of tli'o public during his long term of office, liav.ing discharged his duties'with great ability and earnestness. Ho.had tho lino characteristic of being exceedingly reserved and _ modest-. Bearing .in mind a suggestion that had been, made recently, Sir Joseph Ward , said he would like to . state that a,t no timo had Mr. Vincent made any personal recommendation for ■ an increase of his own emolument. Drawing conclusions from the nature, of the presents to Mr. Vincent, tho Premier, said he took it .that ill the near future Mr. Vincent would bo starting on an "all-the-'world" tour, and they might meet in London before long. He hoped that Mr. Vincent Would enjoy many happy years of health in privato life. ' ■

Mr. Vincent, in acknowledging the guts, saul lie had been advised that it was absolutely necessary that Jio should take a long rest from mental work. Ho was - very sorry to leave the' office, but-was exceedingly grateful for the presentation and the kind words which accompanied _ifc, because the happiest part of his life had been spent in the treasury. In a 'fow months, if his health. permitted, he intended, as the Prime Minister had guessed, to take a trip to England. - ■The gathering ended with cheers for iur. Vincent, for Miss Vincent, and for Sir Joseph Ward.