GOOD-BYE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 110, 11 May 1909, Page 4

GOOD-BYE.

♦ ■ FAREWELL TO MR. HUMPHRIES. The members of the Lands and Survey Department assembled in full force at Parliament Buildings, yesterday afternoon, to do honour to Mr. T. Humphries, who is retiring on superannuation from the position of Surveyor-General, after forty-one years' service. The Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) presided, i having on his right the guest of the eyening, and among those present were the Under-Secretary for Lands (Mr. VV. C. Kensington) and the members of the Ministry who are at present in town, besides several heads of other departments, and two ex-Surveyor-C4enerals, Messrs. J. M'Kerrow and J. W. A. Marchant. In proposing the health of the guest of the occasion, the Prime Minister referred to Mr. Humphries's length of service, and traced his career right up to the moment of his retirement, utter having been the first Surveyor-General of the Dominion— as a Dominion. (Applause.) He filled many .positions, i'emarked Sir Joseph Ward, during the time of the Maori troubles, and he expressed the hope that their guest would live long to enjoy his well-earned leisure. The splendid example shown by Mr. Humphries ought to be of great value to the Civil Service, and the fact that it was appreciated was plainly evidenced by the large number of members present. (Applause.) Members in other parts of New Zealand had sent their good wishes t~> Mr. Humphries through him (Sir Joseph Ward), and, on behalf of all the officers, he had to present Mr. Humphries with a substantial purse of sovereigns. Further, on behalf of the Government, ho wished to say that they cordially endorsed the sentiment of the Service,' and desired to add their expression of goodwill and esteem, and recognition of the faithful services he had rendered to New Zealand. (Cheers.) The toast was drunk with musical honours. Mr. Humphries, in replying, said he had had the good fortune of coming into personal contact with almost every other officer of the Department. He '•had the greatest admiration for the Depai'tment, and claimed that it was second to none in loyalty to the Government (whichever Government was in power)/ and had always endeavoured to carry out its policy (Hear, hear.) He should always follow its course with interest, and should be glad to witness the success of his old colleagues. Mr. Humphries went on to refer to some of his earliest fiicnds in the Department — Mr. Percy Smith and Mr. C. W. Hursthouse — with whom he was associated in 1857 at New Plymouth, and as an indication of the healthy life of the surveyor, he remarked that of the ten chief surveyors in 1876 seven are now alive and well. (Hear, hear.) As to the presentation, he said he should get with it something that he could pass on to his family to show them the esteem in which he was held by those with whom he had for so long been associated. (Applause.) r ihe toast of the Prime Minister and the members of the Ministry was proposed by Mr. W. C. Kensington, wha remarked that this "was the first time that the Prime Minister had taken the portfolio of the Department of Lands, and the department was proud of the fact. The Government was trying to be up to date and to assist in carrying out the policy of the Government. Sir Joseph Ward had always insisted on the necessity of pushing on the land settlement ot New Zealand, and all the onV cers were doing their best to that end. The land was getting further back every day, and land settlement became more difficult, but by the opening up of native land, as foreshadowed by the Government, the problem would be solved. I Applause. ) The toast was drunk with musical honours, three cheers being added for Lady Ward. Sir Joseph Ward briefly replied. The work of a Government, he said, was very difficult, but a Ministry had to do that which it believed to be right, and if it followed that course it could only hope that the Government's best had/ been the right course. In conclusion, lie paid a tribute- to Mr. Kensington and other officers of thfe department for the way in which they had, he found, carried out their work, and the knowledge of the department which hp had thus been able to acquire. The Hon. Dr. lundlay also leplied. Incidentally, he referred to the position at present occupied by the Prime Minister, remarking that no Minister had had a more anxious, painful, and sleepless time than the Prime Minister, in trying to do his duty on the one hand to* the public, and on the other hand to the members of the Public Service, to whom also he ov ed allegiance. If there seemed to be anything of the " iron hand," there had been behind it one of the softest hearts that ever beat in a human breast. (Applause.) j The Hon. T. Mackenzie referred in pleasant terms to his early associations with the Lands Department, and he referred in terms of high appreciation to the services rendered to the country by the Hon. G. F. Richardson— a reference that was greeted with loud applause. The next toast was that of the retired Surveyor-Generals, coupled with the names of Messrs. 0. M'Kerrow, Percy Smith, J. W. A. Marebant, and A. Ban-on. Messrs. Mivcrrow, Marchant, and Banon replied. The health of the ladies and of Hie Under-Secietary for Lands was also drunk.

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