TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1924. The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED DAILY. THE RETIREMENT OF MR. C. E. ARMSTRONG.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXI, Issue 9853, 4 November 1924, Page 4

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1924. The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED DAILY. THE RETIREMENT OF MR. C. E. ARMSTRONG.

It is very pleasing to record that the public farewell which was tendered Mr C. E. Armstrong on Friday in connection with his relinquishment of the important position of District Engineer was worthy in every respect of the occasion. The beautiful address, together with other fitting mementoes, of which he was made the recipient were subscribed to by all the local bodies from Opotiki to Wairoa, including those on the least Coast. That in itself was a tribute so striking as to mark it without precedent in this portion of the Dominion. And, what is more, it will be agreed, on every hand, that it was fully deserved. We do not think that it is necessary to discuss at length the many kind references that were made to Mr Armstrong and his work by the speakers at the farewell gathering. Each and every one of them stressed how widely recognised is Mr Armstrong’s ability and how much regretted is the fact that lie has reached the period of service when it was necessary that he should retire. They also expressed their high appreciation of his painstaking efforts in the interests of the district and of his invariably courtesy to all with whom his duties brought him in contact. What now remains to he said is that, although Mr Armstrong lias retired from his official post, it is a happy state of affairs that this district- will not loso his interest in its welfare. In the past, Mr Armstrong has afforded the various local bodies much information outside his official dutic-s that lias proved most helpful and it is certain that, in the years to come, his advice will continue to he sought and will just as freely be given. Outside public body life, it is, perhaps, not generally appreciated how much responsibility rests upon the holder of the office of District Engineer. Nor can it ever became known how much this district is really indebted to Mr Armstrong. It is, however, an open secret in political circles that, on his periodic visits to headquarters, Mr Armstrong proved a hard battler for as much in the way of State grants as he could persuade successive Ministers for -Public Works and their chief advisers to allocate for this portion of the Dominion. And, on his retirement, it is satisfactory to learn from, him that the latest Engineer-in-Chief has a soft spot for Gisborne and the districts by which it is surrounded. Mr Armstrong can, with pride, look back on the vast strides that have been made in the way of development works hereabouts. lie has been associated with both its railway projects—north and south—and including the important work of building the Otoko viaduct. Ho has played his part in connection with the initial stages of the Waikaremoana water power scheme which is destined to become, in time, the largest undertaking of its kind in this Dominion. He has seen the iukki highways, as well as tho secondary roads, transformed from quagmires into vastly improved thoroughfares and, happily, his retirement did not come about before tho main south road had been converted into a highway, which when sealed, will, assuredly, be one of the finest in the Dominion. Indeed, in every part ot the expansive district which lie was required to administer arc to be found public utilities which will long stand as monuments to his capability. The general hope will be that Mr Armstrong will bo long spared to enjoy his well-earned rest from" liis

arduous public service over such a lengthy span. NOTE OF THE DAY THE “ALL BLACKS” IN IRELAND There must have been general satisfaction throughout the Dominion when tho news came to hand that the ‘All Blacks” had emerged successfully from their initial international trial of strength. It is true that Ireland was, on this occasion, defeated by only six points to nil, as compared with the original “All Blacks” triumph by 15 points to nil. But it must not bo overlooked that the playing conditions were- far from favorable to this year’s visiting team. In the first spell, wo are told, the “Alt Blacks” had to play against the wind, but worse still, when the sides changed over at half time, the wind also veered and again assisted the As if that were not bad enougb/nuck, the wind in the second half Jmd as an ally driving showers. lir#t!ie circumstances, the contest a/ainst Ireland does not provide a guide as to how the “All /Blacks” will fare when they come to

play England or Whiles. All the same it may he of interest to recall that, last season, England proved the strongest international side, defeating in turn Wales, France, Ireland and

Scotland. Wales was the weakest combination, losing to Ireland and Scotland as well as to England. The supremacy of tho English XV. was undoubted. As a case in point: Ireland boat Wales by 13 to 10, but England beat Ireland by 14 to 3. Then, again, Scotland beat Ireland by 13 to 8, but England defeated Scotland by 19 to nil. Or, again, Ireland beat France by 6 to nil, but England beat France by 19 points to 7. The only exception to the internationals as a

guide to the strength of the individual sides was that Scotland defeated (Wales by 35 points to 10, whilst Whiles lost to ’ England only by 17 points to 9. It was the only occasion when the Welsh team was completely routed and the reason was that the Welsh forwards became hopelessly out-scrummaged whilst their backs were Completely outrun. We should say that it would appear safe to venture the opinion that Saturday’s match against Ireland should he regarded as the middle test of strength. In other words tho “All Blacks” should now find it easier to defeat Wales and more difficult to account for England. Something more, however, requires to be taken into consideration and that is: that it should not he overlooked that the contest against Ireland was held very early in the Home season. As a rule the trial matches overseas do not eventuate until December and January anil the usual time for the holding of the international contests is in February and March. The fact that the contest ‘'All Blacks” versus England will not be held until January 3 and will ho the last of the tour in the Homeland should, therefore, ensure that it will prove the most interesting and the most exciting on the “All Blacks” programme.