PUBLIC WORKS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18397, 2 June 1925, Page 8

PUBLIC WORKS.

ROADS ENGINEER RETIRES MR COATES'S FIRST SPEECH AS ' PRIME MINISTER. tSP*CUL TO "THE PRBS3.") WELLINGTON, Juno 1. The Hon. J. G. Coates made his first, speech as Prime Minister this afternoon, when ho attended a big gathering of members of tho Public Works Department which had been arranged to bid good-bye to Mr G-. T. Murray, inspecting engineer of roads, who is retiring on superannuation.

Mr Coates, who was very cordially received, said the gathering was for the purpose of bidding farewell to an esteemed and respected friond of all present. Mr Murray was known from one end of New Zealand to the other, and wherever he was known he was favourably known. His personality had worked itself into the homes of very many people, not only in tho towns but in the backblocks. He had taken part in a lot of works of importance to New Zealand. He had carried out the very difficult system of roading necessary to open up tho backblocks of Taranaki, and it was he who introduced the system of road tunnelling. He had been engaged on the important work of the North Auckland Main Trunk line at Waihou, and on the Ohinemuri River protection work. He had been employed on the Commission in regard to tho Taupo-Rotorua Taihvay line, and he had been district engineer in several parts of New Zealand. Mr Murray was of immense value to tho Department in designing and bringing into operation tho Highways Act. Some might say that tho Act was capable of improvement, bat tho Board was 'doing all it could to make the legislation a success. Later on the people of New Zealand would recognise the - wonderful work Mr Murray had done in this connexion. It was always a pity to bid farewell to ft well-triod and. trusted friend, this instance they could say they, were bidding farewell. to a gentleman who' had laid the foundation stone of a great Department. Mr Murray had" seen the Department rise and come into its own until now it was a privilege for a man or a woman to join the Department. There were < reasons why Mr Murray must go, and one of, thorn was that hq >va» over 65 years of age, though he did not look it. His record was one that anyone could be proud of. lie was sure that all were thankful to Mr Murray for the great work he had done for' New Zealand in developing its country districts. It was men like this in the Public Works, Department whose work counted, and they were men that the people heard very little about.

Mr Coates then made tlie ' presentations, which consisted of an oak writ-ing-desk, a travelling rug, a clock, and a leather portmanteau for Mr Murray, and a leather satchel and a pair of, brass candlesticks for Mrs: Murray. Cheers were given for the guest of the jiftcrnoqn, and "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" Was sung. Replying, Mr Murray thanked his fellow-workers fo>' the presents, and Mr Coates for the very kind things he had said. Ho congratulated Mr Coates on his having attaino/1 to the highest position iu'thc powejr, of the country to give him.- life felt the wrench of severing his. connexion with the Department very greatly, and found it difficult , to realise that lie Was, leaving official work. In tho past engineers had, been kept too much in the field,,but now they 'Were being brought into contact with the public, and -had ""to convince thoße who \ employed them of the correctness of their views. ■ The engineer of to-day-required as much convincing poWer as a lawyer, and he required to have a good knowledge of accountancy. In the old days work was done under rougher conditions than those which obtained to-day, and much credit was due to. the men who did their work Under tho old" conditions.

:'Mr Murray added that after leaving the Department he proposed, to go to Aitftralia for a. while, .then to California,. and finally to settle in Auckland. " 1