FIFTY YEARS SERVICE

MR. P. P. WEBB RETIRES FRO 3 AUDIT DEPARTMENT. Mr. P. P. Webb, Deputy-Controller and Auditor-General, was 65 years of age on Saturday, and on the same day he completed his half-century in the service of the Government, practically the whole of which time he has served the country in the Audit Department. On Saturday morning tho staff of the Department in Wellington assembled to say good-bye to Mr. Webb, who has been a conscientious and popular • officer, and to mark their esteem presented him'with two travelling bags and a rug (Mr. and Mrs. Webb are leaving on a trip abroad shortly). : Colonel R. J. Collins, Auditor-General, in making the presentation, said that Mr. Webb joined the Treasury Department in 1869, aud five years- later he entered the Audit Department. In various responsible positions, including that of Chief Audit Inspector, ho had proved himself a very valuable and conscientious officer, who had discharged his many important duties to the entire satisfaction of the Department. During the last year or two Mr. Webb's health had not been too good, and his medical advisers had therefore said he must retire.- When Mr. Webb entered the Audit Department in 1874, there -were only 15 or 16 clerks. To-day there were 95 permanent officers and 90 temporary clerks. He had been a great sportsman. Ho had distinguished himself in rowing, and football, and now he was doing his best to make a reputation at golf. It was the heartfelt wish of the staff that he would live to a good o\d age 6ur« rounded bv comfort and pleasure. Mr. Lamb (Mr. Webb's successor) spoke on behalf of the southern inspectors, who had requested him to convey their best wishes to Mr. Webb. A similar message came by telegram from the Auckland inspectors.

Mr. Webb, in .expressing thanks for the gift and the good wishes, referred to his days under the late James Edward Fitzgerald, who had held that the very reason for the existence of lie Audit Department was to be the chainpion of truth and right—to stand between the tax-payer and the expenditure. The tradition of, Mr. Fitzgerald had been maintained by the Audit Department to this day. As far. as his owh record went, he could only repeat the words written of a Mississippi pilot: "He done his level best."

Tho presentation was followed by morning tea with Mr. and Mrs. Webb ns hosts.