FAREWELL TO MR. R.W. HOLMES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 263, 31 July 1920, Page 7

FAREWELL TO MR. R.W. HOLMES

. , '. A HIGHLY-RESPECTED OFFICER. . Mr! R. W: Holmes, for .many years Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department, and lately Under-Secretary for Public Works also, has retired'from the service on superannuation owing to .'. failing health. He was farewelled by the' staff of tho Department yesterday afternoon. The Minister of Public Works (Mr. Coates) presided, and the late Minister of Public Works, Sir William Eraser, was also present. Both cf these gentlemen paid the highest tributes to Mr. Holmes for his faithful Services ~ to. the State of New Zealand over a, very long period of, years. Mr. F. W- . Furkert, acting head of the Department in succession to Mr. Holmes, spoke for the staff of tho Department, and referred " to the respect and affection in which his former chief had been held by every emplovee in the service. On behalf of the staff ho prcscnt'til Mr. Holmes with several handsome gifts—a silver salver, . a silver, fruit basket,'a tea set, a ease of silver spoons, and axNew Zealand rug, and wished him a hapjiy time in his well-earned leisure. Mr. Holmes thanked all the speakers for tho very kind things said about him. He spoke iv little about old times in New Zealand, (in the early days of public works undertakings 'when the country was younger, and he admitted feelings nearly akin to sorrow on leaving liis old tasks and his old friends and colleagues in tho service. Referring to a remark made by Sir William Eraser Mr. Holmes said that he would be most happy to give the benefit of.his,experience,to the De■y partmentrsliould'such-tbo-a'eciuired• at •• ' flriy'-'tinuv and also that- he would, give ■ : "any.• assistance he could to young cngi- ■:' neers in this country. Referring,to his' retirement, he said that he had been •advised by his-medical oian some time :• ago that-he must take a long holiday, ■■■ and as he had but a few years .of service -to run ho hud decided to retire at oiice. Mr. Holmes was applauded most cordially several,.times in his speech. After .the, speeches light refreshments were .. served. -