NEW SECRETARY OF MARINE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 7, 4 October 1920, Page 4

NEW SECRETARY OF MARINE

MR. R. DUNCAN HONOURED.

Tho staffs of the Marino and Insgee-. tion of Machinery Departments on Saturday night tendered a, coniplinientai} social t,> Jlv. Robert Duncau, who was recently appointed Secretary of Marino in succession to tho late Mr. Georgo Allpovt. Mr. J. P. Luke. M.P., prosided, and there was a representative attendance, including Sir William. HallJones, a former Minister of Marine. An apology was received from Sir n llliam Herrie's, Minister of Marine, who was unalilo to attend owing to a prior engagement, : . Alter the loyal toast was honoured Sir William Hall-Jones proposed the toast of "Ships and Shipping Interests, and in doing so said that they had met to do honour to an old officer and an old friend. He was certain that Mir. Duncan would moke an excellent Secretary of Marine. Sir William Hall-Jones said that sailing ships wero out of date, but thay were still favoured in the United States, mid since 19U that country , had become the Drinciwl sailing-ship owning country, with per cent, of tho total sailinc" tonnase. During. the war the world lost a. vast amount of tonnage, and that loss had not yet been made good. According to Lloyd s Register last issued the .British tonnage was still 750.000 tons less than in 1914. Ships anil the shipping interest were essential to tho welfare of the Empire, and the quicker dispatch ships could get at the jwrts the better would it be for all conwrued. If ships wero delayed m the ports freights advanced and the cost oi living increased. Messrs. C. M. Turrell. W. H. Bennett. B. W. Millier and Captain J. E. Dawson responded. . . , The chairman proposed tho toast of tho evening, "Our Guest. He said that prior to going to the social it wns his duty to receive tho GovernorGeneral at the Town Hall, and when ho mentioned his engagement to His .hxceilcncy the latter asked that his compliments ba given to Mr. Duncan. Mr. Luke thought 'M-.\ Duncan was just tho man for tho position of head of tuo Marine Department. Mi'. Duncan was a real livo "engineer, and the speaker hoped that ho would see to it that every young nian who entered an engineering establishment was properly tau ß'};' Those who camo in contact with Atr. Duncan had a very high opinion of him and they congratulated him on.his appointment to. the position of Secretary of. 'Marine. Mr. Luke then Mr. Duncan with a cold watch, a present from his technical stall and f nen "®| Tho watch was suitably inscribed ; aid ho was also presented with a silver tea service fori Mrs. Duncan. The tonst was supported by Mr. J. E. Jcnkinson, Mr. L. H. B- Wdso , f - merly Secretary of. Marine. Mr. C. M. Luke, Mr. A. M*Vicar, Mr. A. Basire, Mr. T. R. Wallace («cretftry of tlia Marine Engineere' Institute) and Captain M'lndoe (secretary of tho Merchant Service Guild). ~, , , Mr. Duncan, m responding, thanked all present for attending and the speakers for the kind things they had said ibout him. He had served under several Ministers, the- first of them being the la 1 # Sir Harry Atkinson. Ho thought Hint ia the past the Department had been very lucky in its appointments of officers from its wry inception. His own first appointment, as Inspector of Machinery, was mado while Mr, L. H. 13 Wilson was Secretary to tho Department Mr.' Wilson received lnni wry courteously, but told him lie was only a boy. However, he. cave him a start en six months' probation ond at.tho end of the time confirmed tho appointment. Mr Dunesn thanked his staff for tho ver'v handsomo gifts that tlicy had pre- [ Rented to him and Mrs. Duncan, He hoped that he would alwnw retain the I of the members of tho staff. I Dnrinc the evening songs were given I bv Messrs. 4- Walker. Albert Ttuwell, I F. S. Marchant, J. Powell, and W. Bennett