SIR EDWARD GIBBES'S RETIREMENT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2784, 31 May 1916, Page 6

SIR EDWARD GIBBES'S RETIREMENT

A FAREWELL FUNCTION AND PRESENTATION. From the Director of Education (Dr. W. J. Anderson) to the lady typistes and first-year cadets, the officers of tUG' Education Department in Wellington assembled in Godber's Rooms last evening to do honour to Sir Edward Gibbe6, the retiring secretary of the Department, who has relinquished his duties in the service of the Government, after 45. years' work. Tho farewell function, which took the form of a dinner, was of the happiest nature, reflecting the happiest relations between tho heads and staif. Dr. Anderson presided, supported on his right by Sir Edward and Lady Gibbes, and on his left by Mr. F. tt.. De Castro (secretary-elect).. In proposing the health , of "Our Guests," Dr. Anderson 6aid that Sir Edward Gibbes had been in the sen-ice 6ome 45 years—in the Education and other Departments. Ho first went into the Public Works Department as a stripling, but his progress was rapid. He served in other capacities and- finally entered tho Education Department, whero, in addition to his various duties, he had acted as private secretary to tho late Sir Harry Atkinson. In those days the Department was small—and select. (Laughter.) Tho speaker dwelt on Sir IMivard's inspiring work in connection with the vexed questioii of school buildings and tho sympathy energy and sagacity he had always exhibited m the administration of tho Nativo and special schools systems, and in conclusion wished Sir Edward and Lady Gibbes a long and happy period of leisure (Applause.) F- K. De Castro, Mr. R. Pope, Mr. xr r fencer, Mr. AI. H. Brpwu, and Mr. L. C. Isaac also spoke flatteringly of the guest of the evening, and of his t> V * lssl;s t rin ec in their work. Boforo Sir Edward replied, Dr. Anderson presented Sir Edward with a haudsomo gold watch and Lady Gibbes with a' silver coffee service, with ail the best wishes of the staff. Incidentally he montioned that their guests had given a son to fight for tho British Empire. He had had the. fortune to oome through some of the most trying experiences and bitter lighting without a. scratch. Sir Edward, in replv, said he almost regretted that the Public Service Couimissioner was not present, not so much to hear what he was losing, but to realise that there were as good fish in the sea as ever came out of it. (Laughter and applause.) He was not afraid of'going out, as there were just, as good men in the Department as he, and he would like the Public Service Commissioner to know it. lie was over 65 yeais of age, and they would all understand what feelin" must be uppermost in his mind. He was not only leaving his work, but the fellowship that was attached to it, happily with all his faculties unimpaired. He did not object to the rule of officers retiring at 65. It was a good tiling for the service. Concluding an interesting resume of his experiences, Sir Edward thanked those present most heartily for the handsome presents, regretting the tax it might be on soino of them, and assuring them that Lady Gibbes wouitt express her own thanks later on much better than he could.