AFTER 44 YEARS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2378, 6 February 1915, Page 8

AFTER 44 YEARS

CLERK OF HOUSE RETIRES A PROUD RECORD A' presentation was made to Mr. H. Otterson, Clerk of tho House of Representatives, yesterday afternoon by the members of tho various branches of tho House staff. -Mr. Otterson is resigning from liis position on February 18. Mr. A. F. Lowe, Clerk Assistant, asking the Prime Minister to make tho presentation, said that on tho eve of Mr. Otterson's departure for South Africa, they wished to present him with some slight token of their appreciation of his uniform kindness to them all during the time that he-had held his important office. Mr. Massey said he had very much pleasure in acccding to the request made to him that ho should make the presentation on behalf of the officers of tho Parliamentary_ Buildings. Mr. Otterson had first joined the Houso staff in 1870, when Sir William Fox- was Premier. In 1872 he becamo Bill reader for tho House, in 1875 sccond clerk assistant, ill 1889 clerk assistant, and in 1898 Clerk. That was a record of long and faithful service of which any man might bo proud. Quite naturally his fellow-officors and Ministers and members of Parliament regretted exceedingly that ho had decided to sever his long connection with the New Zealand Par-;, liament. They would, however, all be able to look back with a- great deal of pleasure to their association with Mr. Otterson, and ho thought he spoke for all when he expressed tho hope that Mr. Otterson might have many years of usefulness, happiness, and good health ahead of him. Mr. Massey handed to Mr. Otterson an envelope containing a cheque, and Mr. Otterson rccoivcd it amid hearty applause. Mr, Otterson expressed his thanks most cordially, and confessed that ho felt considerable regret at leaving now that tho timo for doing so had arrived. However, ho thought it only his duty to himself and the junior officers under him, and ho thought, also, that it was his duty in the interests of the proper conduct of the business of the House that ho should give up his present position. He had been on tho staff for 44J- years, in-, which timo thcro had been some 55 sessions, and he was 68} years old, so that ho thought it was about time that ho took up somo other occupation while he could still do so. He intended to live an open-air life in South Africa, and he hoped and believed that this would considerably prolong his existence. He wished them all good-bye, and wished, also, that they might all have long and happy lives. Cheers were given for Mr. Otterson at the call of the Prime Minister, who also expressed a hope that Mr. Otterson might return to New Zealand from Africa, and spencj. many happy years here.Other officers who bore testimony to Mr. Otterson's kindness and courtesy were: Mr. W. Jolliffe (law draftsman), Mr. S. Spragg (Chief of Hansard Staff), M>. Marcus Marks (Hansard .super-' visor)i Mr. E. W. Kane (second clerk assistant), Mr. J. Costell (Library staff), and Mr. W. Johnston (on behalf of the subordinate officers).-