LAND PURCHASE OFFICER

Press, Volume C, Issue 29702, 21 December 1961, Page 16

LAND PURCHASE OFFICER

Appointment Of Mr A. T. Bell Mr A. T. Bell has been appointed chief land purchase officer of the Ministry of Works in place of Mr H. J. Voice, who has retired. Until this promotion, which was announced by the Public Service Commission yesterday, Mr Bell was assistant chief land purchase officer He has been replaced in this position by Mr H. R. Hawkins. formerly district land purchase officer in Wellington. Mr J. G Skinner, land purchase officer in Christchurch, will take over Mr Hawkins's former position. Mr Voice was born in London, and came to New Zealand early in his life He was educated at the Seddon Memorial Technical College. Auckland. He held a junior national scholarship. He joined ‘he Public Works De-

partment at Tauranga in 1921. and in 1948 became the first chief land purchase officer for the Ministry of Works Mr BeU was born in Greymouth m 1909. but spent most of his youth in Chris'church. where he joined the Public Service in 1925 as a draughting cadet in the Lands and Survey "department In 1939 he began land purchase work with the Housing Department, now the Housing Division of the Ministry of Works, his duties covering all the South Island except parts of Nelson and Marlborough Mr Bell was appointed district land purchase officer in Wellington in 1948. and in this post took over land purchasing fbr the Government in Manawatu. Wanganui. Taranaki Wairarapa Hawke’s Bav. Gisborne. Wellington, and northern areas of Nelson and Marlborough He was appointed assistant chiaf land purchase officer, and deputy to Mr Voice, in 1958 Well known as a Rugby referee. Mr Bel] re'ired from the ac*ive list at the end of the 1981 season Tn his playing days he reoresen’ed the Linwmd club for three years P'4 Chr’»*ehu’eh West High S-t'ool O’d P-’Vf between 1925 and 1934 He has serv'd the latter club as secretary c’ub captain and president Fneqnsnv years he r 'lave J for Cheirtchuroh Wes* High F-hoo] Otd Boys’ Cricke' Cl”b Mr Bell is a registered valuer and »««oe!ate member of *he New Zealand Institute of Valuers.