Internal Affairs Secretary Retires

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31333, 1 April 1967, Page 3

Internal Affairs Secretary Retires

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Mar. 31. The first New Zealander to be created a member of the Royal Household, Mr J. V. Meech, was honoured at a function in Wellington tonight on his retirement as Secretary of Internal Affairs. The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) paid tribute to Mr Meech's 46 years’ service with the department and presented him with an oil painting. Mr Holyoake said: "Because of the Importance of the work which Jack Meech has done he has found very great favour with our Royal Family." Since he became permanent head eight years ago, Mr Meech has directed arrangements for Royal tours and visits by heads of state.

The Royal tours have in-

cluded those by the Queen, the Queen Mother and Prince Charles. Visits by heads of state have included making arrangements for President Johnson of the United States. Mr Meech joined the Public Service at the age of 14 in 1921 and at the age of 17 became personal secretary to the then permanent head of the department. Mr Meech, who is 60, was also Clerk of the Writs and Secretary for Civil Defence. Descended from pioneers who settled in Wellington in 1840, Mr Meech was born in and has lived in Wellington all his life. He intends retiring in the capital.