PHILATELIC HONOUR

NEW ZEALANDER'S WORK HIGHEST RECOGNITION PAID * The highest honour in the stamp collecting world has been awarded to Mr. R. J. G. Collins, of Christchurch. cabled advice having been received by him that his name has been added to the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists. This honour is awarded to three persons throughout the world each year, and,, although there was a representative of" New Zealand on the original roll,,Mr, Collins is the first Now Zealander to have his name added to the list. He is also by far the youngest member to have his nrme inscribed on the roll.

Nqminations are mado through societies affiliated to the congress, ajid are then tionsidercd by a special board of election. Mr. Collins' nomination was Bent forward by the Christchurch Philatelic Society. Among the original naints on the roll was that of Mr. A. T. Bate, of Wellington, who for many years was a fellow of the Hoyal Philatelic Society, and until his death was its representative in New Zealand. Some of the qualifications mentioned by the Christchurch Philatelic Society, when Mr. Collins' nomination was forwarded, concerned his work for research and organisation. It was mentioned that from 1912 ho had done regearfch work into the stamps of New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, and the results of this work had been published from time to time and lectures delivered on the various discoveries. One of the main features of his work bafe been his organisation of philatelic societies throughout New Zealand. In 1922 he organised the first New Zealand exhibition and congress, at which the New Zealand Philatelic Council was formed, and of which he has been Becretfry ever since. In 1922 also ho y aß . appointed New Zealand represen|t tative of the Royal Philatelic Society«