A FINE RECORD

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2152, 19 May 1914, Page 6

A FINE RECORD

MR STRAUCHON'S RETIREMENT

THE OFFICIAL FAREWELL A REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLAGE

Past and present officers of the Lands and Survey Department from all parts of tho Dominion attended the farewell function tendered last evening to Sir. J. Strauchon, 1.5.0., late Under-Secre-tary for Lands, at Godber's rooms, in Cuba. Street. Mr. Jas. Mackenzie (Un'der-Secretary for Lands) presided, and tho Eight Hon. W..F. Massey (Primo Minister and Minister of Lands) attended. Tho chairman and 'Prime Minister wore supported on right and left by no fewer than six ex-Swveyor-Generals, and the present occupant of the offico (Mr. E. H. Wilmot) sat near at hand. Tho six former SurveyorGenerals were: Messrs. Jas. M'Kerrow, A. Barren, J. W. A. Marchant, Thos. Humphries, John Strauchon (lato Uμ-der-Sccrelary), and Jas. Mackenzie (present (j'ndor-Secretary-for Lands). There were also present seven Commissioners of Crown Lands, Messrs. H. M. Skeet (Auckland), W. H. Skinner (Hawko's Bay), T. M. Brodick (Wellington), It. T. Hadd (Otago), C. R. Pollen (Canterbury),. H. D. M. Hazard (Wcstland), G. H. M'Luro (Southland). Other guests included: Mr. F. T. O'Neill (Assistant Under-Secretary), Mr. C. E. Adams (Government Astronomer). Mr. M. C. Smith (Chief Draughtsman), Messrs. W. M'Murray and H. M'Cardell (former Chief Draughtsmen), Mr. Geo. Wright (late Chief Clerk), Mr. H. Welch, and a representative gathering of past and present officers of the Department.

The chairman said that lid had received apologies for absence from Mr. W. C. Kensington, a former , Undersecretary, and other officers of the Department. He. went on to name the veterans present, Mr. M'Kerrow, Mr. Humphries, Mr. Marchaiit, Mr. Barron, and others, and each name was loudly applauded. All tho Commissioners, with the exception of three, wore present, and these were accounted for. (Applause.) They wero all pleased to see their Minister. (Applause.) Proofs of Esteem. Proposing the health of the guest of tho evening, tho Prime Minister said that ho had also been commissioned to present Mr. Strauchon, on behalf of the officers of the Lands and Survey Department, with a silver salver and other articles of plate, a roll-top' desk, and chair, a set of bowls,, and a pair of field-glasses. It must be particularly gratifying to Mr. Strauchon, tho Minister remarked, to have all these -proofs of esteem, respect, confidence, arid affection in- which he was held by tho officers of the Lands and Survey Department with whom he had worked for so many years. (Applause.) Speaking for the Government, Mr. Massoy continued, he could assure Mr. Strauchon that he possessed the confidence and esteem of Ministers of tho Crown, both individually and collectively. (Applause.) When ho took up the portfolio of Lands in July, 1912, without any previous experience as a Minister of tho Crown, Mr. Strauchon was in his first year as the permanent head of the Department. Yet they managed between them to put up a fairly creditable record. He (Mr. Massey) did not take any credit for it. He was bound to say (not by way of confession) that if it had not been for Mr. Strauchon's long experience and ability as. an administrator they would not have' been able to put up that record. (Applause.) Mr. Strauchon had now served his country for no fewer than 53 years. He had seen tlip Department grow from very small beginnings until it was (to his way of thinking) tho most important Department of State. (Applause.) A Department with a revenue of approximately a million pounds sterling. (Applause.) Mr. Strauchon's record one which every officer of the Department and of State might do well, as far as he possibly could, to emulate. (Applause.) He hoped although Mr. Stranchon was retiring, his knowledge and experience would still be at the service of his fellow-citizens throughout the length and breadth of the Dominion—(Hear, hear)—and that ho had still many years of health and happiness in which to enjoy the wellearned rest to which his fifty-three years' service undoubtedly entitled him. (Applause.l

Mr. F. T. O'Neill, on behalf of the clerical side of tho Department, paid a warm tribute to Mr. Strauchon as a man ,and an official, and expressed a hope that he would long be spared in good health to enjoy a happy retirement. A Message from Auckland. Similar sentiments were expressed in behalf of the North Island district offices by Mr. H. M. Skeet, the .Auckland Commissioner, who read the following telegram from the officers of the Auckland branch: —"Field and office staff desire you, on behalf of those unahlo to attend presentation, kindly convey to Mr. Strauchon regrets at his retirement, and good wishes for future welfare." Also on behalf of the Auckland offices, Mr. Skeet presented Mr. Strauehon with a walking-stick, the head of which was of silver pine from the West Coast, where Mr. Strauehon began his service, and the other end of ake akc, a wood from Auckland, where he was last a field surveyor. Mr. C. It. Pollen, tho Canterbury Commissioner, conveyed greetings from tho officers in that district. Mr. Strauchon in Reply. Mr. Strauchon was received with a storm, of applause when he rose to respond. Ho expressed gratification at seeing so many familiar faces of old and younger friends, and said that if ho had been of any assistance to Mr. Massey when tho latter took office, it was largely due to Mr. O'Neill and other officers in the Head Office, and the various heads of branches. In passing, ho mentioned that between tho Roads Department and the Survey Department ho had served for 30 years in tho field. Ho thanked the officers of tho Department very heartily for their gifts, and added that ho did not know why they should have gone to tho expense of procuring so many beautiful things when he would have been very pleased with just a trifle. Ho was glad that his officers had all been so well satisfied with him; ho had always endeavoured, as far as ho could, to deal fairly by thorn. Ho thanked his officers for the assistance they had rendered him and wished his successor as pleasant a timo as head of tho Department as he had enjoyed. (Applause.) Final1-/ ho asked Mr. Skeet to convey to the Auckland officers his hearty appreciation of their message and gift. Other Toasts. The toast of "Tho Lands and Survey Department" was proposed by the Prime Minister, and responded to by Mr. Mackenzie. Mr. E. H. Wilinot proposed the toast of "Retired Officers," and Messrs. T. Humphries, J. W..A. Marehant, and G Wright responded. Mr. Marchaut corrected a statement made by several speakers that the late Mr. J. T. Thompson was the first New Zealand SurveyorGeneral. Mr. Frederick Matthew, ho said, was the first Surveyor-General, , , mid was appointed in May, 18-11. lie was followed by Mr. C. W. Lygar. Mr. J. T. Thompson became Surveyor-Gen-eral in 1876 when the present Lands and Survey Department was formed on fho abolition of the provinces. Air. Thompson was succeeded by Mr. Jas. M'fverrow. The final toast was "The Chairman." A number of songs and other items were contributed during the evening.