PRESENTATIONS MADE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 89, 17 April 1939, Page 11

PRESENTATIONS MADE.

P.W.D. INSPECTOR.

A larjre gathering of members of the Public Works Department staff gathered in the Catholic Women's Clubroome for a social evening on Friday night, at which the opportunity was taken of making a presentation to the retirin" inspector of works, Mr. F. G. Alfrey, who has served the Department in various parts of the Dominion for the past 37 years. He has worked in Chrietchurch, Palmerston North, and Wellington and, for the last 22 yeare, in Auckland. Many message* were received from all parts of the country on the occasion of his retirement, and these were read out by the chief clerk, Mr. J. D. Stack. Notable among these were expressions of gratitude for ■ the cooperation and amicability of Mr. Alfrey, from those who had been in the Department for many years. Mr. E. C. Aickfn, of the Postal Department, mentioned the cordiality that existed between Mr. Alfrey's 'Department and the others, due to Mr. Alfrey's courtesy and consideration. Mr. L. Cooper, representing the head office, conveyed a personal tribute from the Engincer-in-Chief, and messages from ex-Am! n<l staff members now at the head office. The District Engineer, Mr. F. S. Dyson, who made the presentation, recalled the fact that Mr. Alfrey had "started from scratch," joining the Department as a carpenter in 1901. Mr. Alfrey, In reply, said that any credit due to his Department had been earned to a large extent by the good team of men he had under him. He made eepecial mention of the senior overseer, Mr. A. A. Clarke. Other presentations were made to Mr. Alfrey earlier in the week by the Fletcher Construction Company, Ltd., W, H. Whittaker and Company, Ltd., and J. R. Simpson. On the occasion of his transfer to Taiiranga, Mr. P. G. Pearce, senior clerk in the accounts department of the Public Works Department was the recipient of a presentation made by Mr. J. D. Stack, chief clerk, on behalf of his fellow staff members. Mr. K. S. Hurle, inspector of factories tit Auckland, who has been transferred to Whangarei as district inspector, was recently farewelled by fellow officers of the Labour Department, Mr. W. Slaughter, officer in charge, presided, and a presentation wae made to Mr. J, W. Collins, who recently retired from the position of New Zealand Trade Commissioner in Canada and the United States.