CITY ENGINEER HONOURED

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

CITY ENGINEER HONOURED

FAREWELLED BY STAFF

TRIBUTES FROM ACTING-PREMIER

AND MAYOR

About a lumclri'd member? of the staff of the Wellington City Corporation, as 1 well as tlfe Moyor and the majority of the members of the City Council, attended tilio function at tha Concert Chamber ln-)(. evening, given in honour of the City Engineer (Mr. AY. H. Morton), who is leaving for America, England, and the Conlimit this week. X;rider the guiding hand of Mr, T. W. Leslie, the chamber had been converted into a cosy flag-hung cofo chantanl, which made for geniality and social comradeship. The chair was occupied by the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), who, in proposing the health of the guest, expressed all good wishes from those present. all the other corporation officials who could not attend. and the citizens Generally. The Mayor rehearsed the state of (ho city when Mr. Morton arrived. and had effected improvements not exceeded by any other city in Australasia. Mr. Morton had come at a time when they were installing the electric trams, light, and drainage, and the difficulties he had to contend with in dealing -with the outlying and hilly parte of the citv were infinitely greater than those which had gone before. He was not there to boost Mr. Mofton, but ho had given the very best in his power to carry out the services he was nskod to perform. Mentioning the. addition to bis duties by his acceptance of the general ' managership of tho tramways ajid electric light concerns, the Moyor said that Mr. Morton had the support of splendid officers. They had mixed feelings on i'r. Morton's going away, knowing the constant strain that would be placed on others, ljut it was for them to pull together rind make the "chief" feel that (l ey were going to give the best (hey had. Mr. Morton was' now offered the chance of seeing the very best and biggest works in the worjd, and he (Mr.' Luke) was sure the knowledge so gained would be of utility fo the city. On l>ehnlf of tho staff, he tendered Mr. Morton tho very best wishes for a prosperous voyage, and hoped he would come back full of knowledge to guide (lie city in the ways of progress. (Cheers.) He lad pleasure in handing Mr. Morton, on behalf of tho staff, a case of pipes, and a tobacco pouch. The toast was drunk enthusiastically with musical honours.

Acting-Prime Minister's Remarks. Sir James Allen said he joined with the Mayor and staff in wishing Mr. Morton a prosperous journey and a happy return to New Zealand. Mn 'Morton had done a great deal of valued service for the Defence Department, which he had already referred to, but was glad to remind them of the great debt they owed him in what he h.id dono for tho forces. He believed Mr. Morton was now going on a trip round the world. Ho honed ho would come back full of knowledge, as it wn6 vital that they should know, what was being done in other parts of the world and how to do it. Th»y would watch his journey with interest, as immense developments must take place which we out here could not. foresee. America was very progressive. so was Canada. The old Motherland had had a hard row to hoe, but they- hoped that her energies, would be quickened and vitalised as tfi'e result of the stress she had gone through. (Applause.) America hiul helped to win the war, but. 110 one could doubt that it was tho Motherland that saw us through. (Applause.) He did want to show his admiration anfl gratitudo to the gallant army which* bad blocked the way into France—the little Belgian Army 'which had checked the advance of (lie hordes of Germany. (Applause.) He had also read of a wonderful defence put up by a British force. Xf was one of the stories yet to bo told—ho had only heard part of it in a letter from General Davies, whom they would all remember—a born soldier —a story of heroism and courago any BritisTier should bo proud to hear. Sir James Atfan said he was glad to be present, and would be glad to welcome Mr. Morton back nga'n.' Ho hoped he might bo present when Mr. Morton came back, Hind have the pleasure of welcoming trim. (Applause.) Value of Academic Training,

| Str. John O'Shea, City Solicitor, speaking for the staff, said lie remembered Wellington as it was when Mr, Morton camo fifteen years ago. Wellington was a small town, and isolated. There was no Hutt "Road (r), 110 trains to Island Bay or Ivarori, 110 tunnel through Mount xflctoria. The city had not then hunched out, but sinco then an immense amount of work had been done—work not always seen—and- it had all been dono well. (Applause.) Mr. Morton had certain peculiar qualities for his high office, and the chief of these was his academic training—the honour he had attained in his studies would have been equal to a B.Sc. and Engineering, which degrees were not then attainable. He advised the young engineers that tho basis of eminence in engineering was scientific (.raining and (lie University. Mr. Morton's soundness on the theoretical side bad been a factor in liis success, a.iid upon the many intricate matters 011 which "'lie bad consulted with Mr. Morton, the engineer was' never at fault, owing to the soundness of tho groundwork of his profession. Some pwplo said:: Why should he go oway when everything could be learned from text books? In many respect? New Zealand did not lead tho world. ; Mr. Morton would see big works done in a big way. and what he absorbed would bo of great value to the community, The magnitude of the work done by Mr. Morton had never been seriously 'recognised in WelOington. lie had visited nil tho other cities in New Zealand and Sydney, and he had never known-a, city with so many municipal activities as Wellington. In Sydney there were nine bodies digging np the roads. The City Engineer t'lero was a road-mender. Here there was no more responsible position than that of City Engineer of Wellington. Mr. Morton had gradually grov> with his task, aided bv study and application in his youth', and the younger engineers would have to go in for study, hard and keen, lo keep pace with tho great developments in view. Everyone must admire Mr. Moi'lon for his kindliness and strength of character There, were cee-isions when he had lie'id his own opinion against tho neonle and the council, and his judgment had always proved sound. Mr. O'Shea 'Inoted the case of the Oriental Bay «\v '''all iu support of his contention. As Jlr. Morton bad said thoro was.now a belter sandy area for bathinir linn there jras before the wall was erected. He would liko to say in conclusion that Mr. Morton was always earnest and faithful in all his work, and 'he had never gone backon any member of his stuff. (Apnlausnj Mr. M. Cable, in supporting the toast, said that the_ wisdom of the council's, action in sending iMr. Morton away was beyond argument; In his opinion it was not only advisnble, but essential, that such 'officers should go Home every few yenrs. and 110 stated that the tramways elcctric engineers of Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide had just been away again. Uo also ?«-elt 011 the many useful and inspiring sights Mr. Morton would see in engineering, science, and history—all inspiring to a man of Mr. Morton's type.

Mr. Morton in Reply, On risiusr Mr. Morton was greeted with el-oprs. When he had arrived in Wellington fifteen years ago he had not liked the place at all. In the morning it wan raining and blowing, and looking at the prospect he thought lie had made a mistake. At. the second council nieetiiig ho was asked to report immediately on a water supply scheme that would not only servo the city, but the highlands-places such as Brooklyn and Kelbnrn. Having solved the difficulty in one instance, jt was comparatively cosy to deal with it in ethers, and, looking back, if ho had to do the same thing he did not know how it could bo improved upon.' (Applause.) Ho was pleased to say that—he could not seo it dono better. Addressing the Mayor. Mr. Morton said that they lmd not merely a loynl staff, but with tbc best of

motives thoy were true to themselves mid to him, and lie was euro they would carry out tlio work of tlio city mid do it satisfactorily. Ho referred to the loyal service they had rendered and the happy relations which had ahvn.vs existed between them. He thanked the Mayor and councillors for' the confidence lliey had reposed in him. During the period of his absence ho would endeavour to make profit to the city the expenso and trouble it had gone to in the matter. Ho hoped that the benefit so gained would not be only financial, Imt would result in lasting improvements to the city. It was true lie had been up against people—anyone in his position would be—but he had been given a good run and a straight run, and had no personal enemies. (Applause.) Ho would be glad to return and meet them all again. (Applause.) The Maygr then proposed the health of the Acting-Prime Minister, couplin.i with it the Army and Navy, a toast which was drunk ivith great enthusiasm. A Miracle of the War. In reply, Sir James Allen said lie had spoken of tho Army. He did not think there was any doubt about tlio work of the British Navy and the mercantile marine in v ar-time. They were all satisfied that the Navy anil mercantile, marine had quite dono their share in winning the war. They in New Zealand should be especially thankful. That the ships had been able to come and get our produce fi.irly regularly lie considered to be one of the miracles of the war. The seas had been kept open for tlieni. and accidents had been comparatively few. Under Government charter they had not .lost a single ship. (Applause.) Ho wished Mr. Morton every success. He thought it was wise for,the making of n better city or n better Government. that, the responsible officials should he scn,t abroad every now and then. (Applause.)

During Ihe evening songs, recitations, etc., lEpre provided by Messrs. MaeFnrlane, Bock, Dunn, If. I'. I.j'plrie, A. Paterson, Ken. Luke, I'. M'Coll, Morton, Norton-Taylor, and Ha.rley. Mr. Liardet gave a display of parlour magic.