PERSONAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 257, 12 August 1946, Page 2

PERSONAL

I The new principal of the school for the deaf at Titirangi, Dr. Ernest Lund, accompanied by his wife, arrived at Auckland by flying-boat from Sydney to commence his duties, says an Auckland Press Association message. Since the school was opened four years ago the principal of the school for ttie deaf in Sumner, Mr H. Pickering, has acted also as principal at Titirangi, but it was decided that a permanent principal for the Titirangi school should be appointed. Mr Pickering will remain in charge of the education of the deaf in New Zealand, with headquarters at Sumner.

More than 30 years a Ministerial secretary, Mr G. F. Dixon, at present private secretary to the AttorneyGeneral and the Minister of Justice, on Saturday completed 50 years in the Civil Service. Mr Dixon has been private secretary to nine Ministers of the Crown. Mr Dixon started and will complete his career in association with the Department of Justice, as his first appointment in August, 1896, was as a cadet in the head office of that Department. He came to Wellington after being educated at Ashley School and the Christchurch Boys’ High School. Mr Dixon was also a foundation student at Victoria College, Wellington, and is a life member of the Students’ Association in which he was many times an office-bearer. —P.A.

The appointment of Mr G. E. F. Wood, M.A., as Government Statistician following the retirement of Mr J. W. Butcher, was announced last night. Mr Wood joined the Public Service in March, 1918, and after serving for a short time in the Police Department, was appointed to the Census and Statistics Department, which he joined in 1921. In 1937 Mr Wood was appointed chief compiler to the department. In October, 1938, he was granted leave to enable him to serve with the British Colonial Service as Government statistician in Palestine, During his stay in the Middle East he served on a number of important’ committees and. visited several of the other colonies. Mr Wood earned high recognition for his ability during the period of nearly seven years he spent in Palestine. He played an important part in developing statistical organisation for the Government upon his return to New Zealand. Some months ago he was appointed to the position of acting-Government Statistician. His substantive appointment will take effect from August 9. —P.A.