LONG PUBLIC SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 221, 15 June 1931, Page 8

LONG PUBLIC SERVICE

Farewell to Mr. W. Waddel PRIME MINISTER’S EULOGY A presentation of a handsome gold watch was made to Mr. W. Waddel, who recently retired from the position of Superintendent of State Advances, at a farewell tendered him by members of the staff of the department on Saturday morning. The presentation was made bv the Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the department, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes. Mr. Forbes said that he had known Mr. Waddel since the inception of the department in 1895. He added that he had the pleasantest recollections of his official and personal associations with the retiring officer. Mr. Forbes went on to refer to the wonderful growth of New Zealand as a country chiefly dependent on primary production. and to the great part played by the State Advances Department in assisting development by making capital available to farmers and workers. Mr. Waddel had been connected with the department for 36 years, and was entitled to feel pride in the success of his administration as Superintendent. He . had showed how the department could be run on the most efficient lines, and the low overhead cost of running the department would stand comparison with any other institution in the world which was in a similar form of business. As the result of Mr. Waddel’s control, one did not hear a single complaint about the administration of the department, and that was a very great tribute to him. The Controller and Auditor-General, Colonel G. F. C. Campbell, said he had never had occasion to question Mr. Waddel’s judgment, and he had always met with courtesy and attention from him. They had never had the slightest difference during their long association, which included the difficult period of the war. Mr. Waddel was typical of the best class of public servant in New Zealand, and a man of whom the service as a. whole should be proud. Colonel Campbell wished him long life in which to look back on his pleasant associations with the department. The Public Service Commissioner, Mr. P. D. W. Verschaffelt, and the Deputy-Superintendent of the department, Mr. A. A. Pritchard, both paid tribute to Mr. Waddel’s good qualities and his great ability as an administrator.

In returning thanks for the gift and the kindly remarks made about his work, Mr. Waddel said he did not deserve half of what had been said. He had many regrets in leaving the department, but, on the other hand, his retirement gave him a great feeling of relief, coupled with pleasant anticipation of What the future held for him. He specially thanked the staff for their loyal co-operation, and wished them good luck and prosperity.