HARNESSING THE RIVERS

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 160, 1 April 1919, Page 6

HARNESSING THE RIVERS

MR. PARRY'S SUCCESSFUL WORK

A FAREWELL TRIBUTE

The staff of the Public Works Department bade farewell yesterday to IMt. Evan Parry, lately chief electrical engineer, who is shortly leaving for England. Tho little ceremony was held in Bellamy's, Parliament Buildings. The Minister of Public Works (Sir William Eraser) had been asked to do the honours, and he spoke in t'hii most glowing terms of the splendid work Mr. Parry had done in New Zealand.

Addressing Mr. Parry, the Minister said:—"Mr. Tarry, it is with mingled feelings of pleasure and regret that I am taking part in this little ceremonypleasure in'the fact that I have been requested to express to you the feelings of genuine esteem in which you are so deservedly held by all, both within and without the Public Service, and regret that you are so soon going away from our midst. I am speaking not only for those persons present in this room, including myself, but also for the other members of the Cabinet, and for the people of this Dominion. The success which has attended the Lake Coleridge scheme is a 'striking memorial to your ability ns an electrical eginecr, and when the larger schemes for the electrification of the North and South Islands have been completed. ill accordance with the reports and plans you have submitted, it. is to you that will ho.duo the credit of having initiated these undertakings I know that T am echoing the feelings of everyone in this country when I say that we nil wish that you could have seen your way to remain permanently with us and direct thes" important works to their full fruition. We realise, however, how much greater must be the attraction you will find in th" responsible position you are about to fill at ITome.

"It mnst also he an added satisfaction to von to know that the intense desire which now pervades the whc.ie community to be sunnlied .with electric, energy is owing to the successful results accrnim? f rcmi your work, and the lesson? you have I might. ll«. But for the va , r tile n-<Olntnos for snonlym? the Auckland and Wellinsrton districts would have bce.n in a fair way nf completion. A start has, however. been made., a n d the work should be pushed on as pnemWr as possible. Your name. Afr. Pnrrv. will .ilways be connected with these important undertakimrs. and tlvs I am sure will bo a source of pride for von.

"Ali.honeh J could not keep you here I ami pleased to 1-nrn Vmi ham >.«n. center! to aeecp. 1 the refnininq- foe oft'nrp,! to you by Hie novernpient for ocensionel Mvic». Thus the link bindiii!* vm fn L h's no'-'hiion will not li" severed. I can assure you, liovnper, tlint if von ever hove occasion to visit Nrw /e-. Innd attain. the verv heartiest ef welcomes wi'l be ncrorded to yon. Let me conclude Tiy wishing you and <»nr family a plMFant trip Heme, a 'long life, and a prosperous career."

■Sir William Feasor tlim made a presentation on behalf of the o<-n(T nf Iho Donnrfment as a mark of Iheir affection and ward. The jiffs were a rn f hinoculws n"d a handsome N,,, r 7 ra land nitr. The Minister remarked tb.it the binoculars 0 v «ry "litable present as it Innrened. When the request was made of the people of New Zealand to s»'iply binoculars fo- Mi" use -M uii'i'tary officers leaving for (lie front. M*. Parrv I'ncl been one 0 f f| in f lro t f„ n(Tr. r . and he nravi! 110 the glasses he had brought out from T)n"land with liim.

After Mr. Parry had offered liic tbant-s for (ho -iffs, and also fo.r dm kind words of Ihe Minister. scme liirbt were served. The nroceediugg ended with three clicers far Jfr. Parry.