RETIREMENT AFTER FORTY YEARS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 109, 1 February 1941, Page 10

RETIREMENT AFTER FORTY YEARS

Chief Engineer Of Public Works Department

SERVICES TO DOMINION OF

MR. WOOD

The Eiigineer-in-Chlet ami Undersecretary of the Public Works Department, Mr. J. Wood, C.M.G., M.lust.C.E., will retire on February 28 next, after

40 years’ service with the deparlment. He was appointed to his present position in 1936, the year in which lie received (lie Jubilee Medal. The honour oi : (lie Companion of St. Michael mid St. George was conferred on him two years later. Mr. Wood was born In South Australia in 1880. He came to New Zealand at an early age and was educated lu Tlmaru. After matriculating and passing the senior Civil Service examination, he joined the Public Works Department. as an engineering cadet at head office on August 2. 1900. During the following year lie was transferred to the survey of the Rlmutaka deviation, Wellington-Woodville railway, and a few months Inter went, to Central Otago, where lie was associated with railway construction work. On August 1 1904. Mr. Wood was promoted to the position of assistant engineer. In 1905 he became acting resident engineer in charge of Nelson district, and in the ensuing year he took charge of the survey of the Lake Coleridge hydroelectric scheme, with headquarters at Broken River

In 1900 Mr. Wood transferred. to Rauriuiu, for work on the construction of the North Island Main Trunk railway, and a year later, lie went to Otira to take charge of the si-in'ile Arthur’s Pass tunnel contract. His next move was to Westport, in 1909, where he assumed control of public works in that district. On Mny 1, 1912, Mr. Wood became district engineer In charge of the Whangnrei Public Works district, amt held that position till, in 1920, lie was promoted to the rank of inspecting engineer in the head office of the department. He became Assistant Engineer-iu-Cliief on January 1, 1933, and was appointed permanent head, with the designation of Engineer-in-Oliief and Under-Secretary, on July 2, 1936, lu succession to Mr. C. J. McKenzie. Honorary Army Colonel.

Mr. Wood was chairman ot the Wainiakartrl River Trust from 1922 to 1932, and a member of the Main Highways Board from 1925 and chairman. since 193 G. By virtue of his ,position as permanent head of the I üblic Works Department he is also chairman of the Government Buildings Office Accommodation Board, a member o the Town Planning Board, and the Local Government Loans Board. In addition he holds the honorary rank of Colonel. Director of Works, in the Armv. and Group Captain, DirectorGeneral of Works and Buildings, lu (he R.N.Z.A.F. He Ims been a member ot the Now Zealand Institution of Civil Engineers since its foundtrt.iou in 1913, and was an associate member of (lie Institution of Civil Engineers, London,. from 190 G till elevated to membership iu 1930. • Before passing the London Institution’s examination, Mr. 'Wood hail in 1904 satisfied the requirements of the Vustraliau surveyors’ examination. During Mr. Wood’s career In the department he served under 13 Ministries and 11 different Ministers of I ul>lic Works. He occupied the position of Engineer-in-Chief and Under-Secre-tary for five years of undoubtedly the most strenuous period in the history ot. the department.