LATE HUGH POLLEN.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 26, 13 January 1912, Page 5

LATE HUGH POLLEN.

PREMIER’S PERSONAL TRIBUTE (Per Press Association.) AVellington, January 12. Sir Joseph Ward to-day sent the following memorandum to all heads of departments: “It is with deep regrot that I have to advise officers of the public service of the death last evening of Mr Hugh Pollen, Undersecretary for Internal Affairs. The deceased gentleman, during a long period of years, filled his responsible position with conspicuous zeal and ability, and in his demise the people of the Dominion have lost a devoted servant, and the Government and public service a most exemplary officer. L have conveyed to Mrs Pollen and her family the sincere sympathy of the Government in the deep bereavement which has befallen thorn.” In a personal tribute to the late Mr Pollen, the Prime Minister, speaking to a “Post” reporter to-day, said: “I have known Mr Pollen personally for nearly 25 years, and for a considerable period I was Minister in charge of the department of which he was the head. Throughout the whole of that time Mr Pollen had a great deal to do with public matters that have been brought before me. I desire to acknowledge the high qualities he possessed for carrying out the affairs of the important branch of the civil service of which he was the head. Its operations are amongst the most varied in the service, and I can say that a more careful, painstaking and conscientious man one could not wish to meet. At all times he was most courteous, careful, and judicious, and was entirely without fads. In the transaction of the business of his department be brought to boar an extensive fund of information, which gave the Minister in charge the greatest possible confidence. Looking back over matters that came before me in his department, I cannot recall one that resulted in any trouble or difficulty. That demonstrates in a most practical way the extreme care the late Mr> Pollen at all times took in the work of Ins department. I heard of his death this morning with the deepest regret. Tie is a loss to the public service, and consoonently to the country.”