ENGINEER HONOURED

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 303, 18 September 1936, Page 2

ENGINEER HONOURED

/ Presentation Made To Mr. C. J. McKenzie Wellington engineers yesterday gave a complimentary luncheon to Mr. C. J. McKenzie, who recently retired through illness from the position of englneer-In-chief to the Public Works Department, and a rug was presented to him. Congratulations were given engineers Who have recently been promoted, including Mr. J. Wood, engineer-in-chief to the Public Works Department, Mr. A. J. Baker, assistant engineer to the department, Mr. W. L. Newnham, chief inspecting engineer to the department, Mr. A. Tyndall, director of housing construction for the Government, and Mr. K. Luke, Wellington city engineer. Mr. H. F. Toogood presided. In proposing the toast of the guest of honour, he said that men of outstanding ability and high ideals had occupied the highest engineering position in the country, but there had never been a man who graced the position with more worthy qualities than Mr. McKenzie. His retirement through ill-health was unfortunate for him, for the department and for the country. Mr. Toogood presented the rug, saying it was meant to interpret the warmth of the regard felt by members of the engineering profession for Mr. McKenzie.

Mr. E. Casey, speaking for the Railway Department, referred to the high esteem in which Mr. McKenzie was held by fellow engineers, not only as an engineer but also as a man. Mr. J. McDermott spoke for the Post and Telegraph Department. Mr. McKenzie, acknowledging the compliments and the presentation, said it was flattering, to retire with the goodwill of members of the profession. He regretted having to give up his position, but was comforted that he made way for an able successor. Mr. G. G. Callender, chairman of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers, proposed the toast of those promoted. Messrs. Wood, Baker, Newnham, Tyndall and Luke responded. The chairman proposed “The Visitors,” this being responded to by the Minister of Public Works, Hon. R Semple, and the Hon. Mr. Justice Blair The Minister expressed regret at the retirement of Mr. McKenzie, though he was pleased to know that his health had improved considerably. Mr. Wood would make a very competent successor. The Minister said he regarded engi neers as the planners, designers, trailblazers and builders of the country, and without them no nation could progress Their work was the basis for all advancement. They designed and built not only for their own generation, but also for those who came after them. In an era of almost frightening expansion their load of responsibility was becom ing heavier than ever, but he was confident they would meet that call. The Public Works Department In New Zealand would measure up to any In the world. New Zealand could still learn from other countries and other conn tries could also learn some things from New Zealand He hoped that in his term of office, supported as he was by officers of great energy and fine abll tty, the department would maintain its high name and be able to teach other countries some things they did not already know. Mr. Justice Blair acknowledged the value of egnineering to the community, for engineers added to the wealth of the world something that was not there before and which endured after they had gone.