PRESENTATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 3, 5 January 1938, Page 9

PRESENTATION.

LAND BOARD RETIREMENT,

Mr. David Smith. Receiver of Land Revenue and Deputy Commissioner of Crown Lands, was farewelled at the Xorth Auckland Lands Office vesterdav by members of the staff and bv the ]Soith Auckland Land Board, 011 the eve of his retirement after 44 years of service.

The Commissioner of Crown Lands. Mr. W. D. Arniit. made a presentation to Mr. Smith and referred to the valuable serviees rendered by him, and traced his career from the time he entered the Lands Department as a cadet in Dunedin in 18!)4. From'there Mr. Smith had l>een transferred to Wellington, and later became chief clerk in Invercargill, ultimately being promoted to his present position in Auckland. He served during the war as a pay master captain and later carried out important and arduous duties in the settlement of discharged soldiers in the North Auckland district. In the settlement and sale of Orakei sections he liad been called upon to conduct one of the largest public auction sales ever held in Auckland.

Appreciation of the retiring officer's manv good qualities were also {riven by Mr. Waters, of the Land Board. Mr. R. McMorran. Chief Drainage Engineer, and Mr. K. M. Graham, Commissioner of Crown Lands, South Auckland.

Mr. Smith, in replying, traced the manv changes he had experienced in the department as an administrative officer, and thanked the staff for the loyal co-operation always extended to him.