MR. R. W. HOLMES RESIGNS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 255, 22 July 1920, Page 4

MR. R. W. HOLMES RESIGNS

ENGINEER-IN-CHIEF AND UNDERSECRETARY OF PUBLIC WORKS.

Mr. R. W. Holmes has resigned lha position of Engincer-in-Chief of tho 'Dominion and Under-Secretary to Department of Public Works. Mr. Holmes lias been the first officer to hold the dual office, as the clerical and technical heads in the past were disassociated. On tho retirement of Mr. \Y. S. Short fi'om tho position of Under-Secretary, Mr. Holmes, then Engincer-in-Chief, was appointed to succeed him, which was made possible by the presenco on the staff of Mr. F. W. Furkert, who has been Mr. Holmes's right-hand man fur some years past. '"Whether the two officesMvill remain united or ]» again separated is ai matter of policy, but tho Minister (Hon. .T. G. Coates), in replying to deputations, has foreshadowed a complete rcorgani.-'a.-,tion of the Department to cope with Ilia heavy work ahead. Mr. Holmes's successor has not yet been announced. Mr. Holmes entered the Government service in 1871. He-was appointed a cadet to the Public AYorks Department in 1872, and such was his progress that he was an assistant-engineer 111 187fi. and a resident engineer in 1879. In 1901 he was promoted to be inspecting engineer. He became superintendix engineer in April, 1906. and Engineer-in-Chicf for tho Dominion in 19f17. He has been a luemner of the Board of Examiners, under the Inspection of Machinery Act, 1907, and was lieutenant-colonel of No. 5 Company of Engineer Volunteers,