AN APPRECIATION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1477, 27 June 1912, Page 6

AN APPRECIATION.

OF MR. W. C. KENSINGTON. PRESENTATION AND SPEECHES. A large gathering, representative of all branches oi the Public Service, but in tiiu majority compiled uf members of the Lands Department, assembled at the Masonic Hall last evening to do honour to ■M 1" N■ C. -Kensington, who retired from his positiun as Under-Secretary of Crown Lauds in .March la-t, utter a period u) nearly half a century's service. Mr. John Strachan, who succeeded Mr. Kensington in the L'mler-SecreJaryship, presided, and amongst those present were: the Prime Mini-ter (Hon. T. Mackenzie), tho Hons. A. JV. Myers, 11. 0. EU, 'Vo Rangihiroa, t_i. W. liussell, W. 0. S. Macdonald, and T. Buxion (members of tho Cabinet), Sir Joseph Ward, and several heads of Government Departments. The chairman, j.n opening (he proceedreferred to the object cf tho gathering. They were assembled, he'said, to mark their appreciation of Mr. Kensington. (Applause.) The gathering was representative of 1 rranchos of the Public Service from Auckland to hivereargill. I Sir Joseph Ward, who made the presentation, referred in terms of eulogy to tho long and capable service which had been rendered to tho State by Mr. Kensington, and congratulated liini upon the esteem and goodwill in which lie was held in (ho Public Scrvico generally. The speaker traced Mr. Kensington's career from his early experiences in tho Maori War—for services in which lie was awarded the Imperial war medal—till his retirement, from his responsible position as head of the Lands and Survey Department, a period of activo and efficient service which had gained for him the distinction of the Companionship of the Imperial Service Order. (Applause.) The exactitude of mind, liis disinterested attitude in all matters concerning the administration of his Department. and his monumental services in connection with the great drainage works at llauraki and elsewhere stamped Mr. Kensington as an outstanding personality in the ranks of distinguished public servants. (Applause.) The Prime Minister (Hon. _ T. Mackenzie), who. with several .of his colleagues, arrived later in the evening, added his felicitations in a brief speech, and paid n high tribute to the outstanding qualities of the administrative officers of (lie Lands and Survey Department, of which Mr. Kensington had been sucli a' conspicuous ornament. The Hon. A. It. Myers endorsed tho Prime Minister's remarks, and felicitate ry speeches were also delivered by Messrs. F. T. O'Neil (Assistant-Secretary for Lands), .Tas. Mackenzie (Surveyor-Gen-eral), 11. Jr. Skect (Commissioner for Crown Lands at Auckland), J. 13. Thompson (Lnml Drainage Engineer), T. A. Brndrick(Commissioner for Lands nt Wellington), Colonel'R. J. Collins, C.M.G. (Auditor-

General), G. H. M'Clure (Commissioner for Lauds at Jnvercargill), T. Sadd (Commissioner for Lauds at luvercargill), and J. I). Ritchie (chairman of the Land Purchase Board).

Responding to tho compliments, Mr. Kensington expressed his gratitude for the kindly sentiments which l ,d been addressed to him, and referred to the courtesy and consideration winch had marked tho attitude of his late Ministerial chief (Sir Joseph Ward) in his dealings with the Department and himself. The Lands and Survey Department afforded Ihe widest scopo for the development of capable men, and lie had always appreciated tho destiny which had diverted his entry into that branch of tho service. The whole progress of the settlement of New Zealand had l.iugcd upon tho Department, which was tl.o third in seniority in llio list of Hie administrative Departments—the Treasury being first, and the Post Office second. Tile achievements of tlie Lands and Survey Department, said Mr. Kensington, were something to be proud of. To tlie younger members of the ftepavtment, he addressed somo words of encouragement, and begged them to remember, when they felt impatient with their rato of piogress up the ladder, of promotion, that lie had been chief draughtsman for '211 years before he received promotion. Mr. Kensington aho dwelt, interestingly upon that part of his career which was .spent in the military service (lining the Waikato war, and upon tlie difliculli"s end dangers-which attended the survey parties sent out to the field at tho close of the war. The tokens which ho had ieceivcd as an expression of their icgard, he concluded, he would treasure amongst his proudest possessions. (Appl;msc and cheers.) Cheers were given for the Prime Minister and his colleagues, and for Sir Joseph Ward and Mr. Strachan, after which supper was served. The presentation consisted of a "fonto'clock" silver tea set, six crcscent china coffee cups with silver-mounted holders, a silver salver of elaborate de.sign, two silver rose-bowls, two silver flower vases, the whole engraved with the Kensington family crest. The address itself wis embodied in a handsome volunio 'n dark green morocco, illuminated by Mr. \7 I'. Bock, who'was assisted by 31 r. G. N. Sturtevant (an officer in the Lauds Department 30 years ago). During the evening, musical and o'her items were contributed by Mes-rs. P. Fitzgerald, ,T. C. Bradley (lately fiom Kngiand). Leslie llill, G. Warren, C. liickniolt, J. Parker, Z. Wood. H. Fletcher, C. Girdlcsline. 11utIon, Minilie, Connors. .-Mlwright., and Tingey. .Mr. J M'Langllliii played I lie acoompunimeiil'i, Tho arrangements for tho funciiou were i Carried, otjt by Mr. K. Keonao, I