MR. H.J.H. BLOW

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 17, 21 January 1916, Page 8

MR. H.J.H. BLOW

INTENDED RETIREMENT FROM THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

Mr. H. J. H. Blow, Under-Secretary for Public Works and Mines, will retire from the Public Service on, the 20th April next. Under the Superannuation Act the " official" retiring age is sixtyfive years. Mr. Blow has only reached sixty years, but he has been in the service of the New Zealand Government for over forty years, and the Act 'says he may; retire after such a 'long period of endeavour, and he. is going to do so. Apart altogether from the strain of fortythree years of service, Mr. Blow has suffered physical ailments of a nature which demand a rest on his part, and he proposes to spend a holiday period in the South Seas and America. Mr. Blow has had a strenuous and interesting career. Born in London, he was concerned in business activities at an age when many boys have not left school, and when be came to New Zealand at the age of eighteen years he entered the Government service. Since then he has not lookd back. He was promoted to Becord Clerk, Ist January, 1878. Acting Assistant Under-Secretary, Ist January, 1885; Assistant Under-Secre-tary, Ist October, 1885; Acting Undersecretary, Bth June, 1891; Under-Secre-tory, 12th October, 1891. In July, 19CS, he was given the additional responsibility of Under-Secretary for Mines. Mr. 'Blow has been Under-Secretary for Public Works for a quarter of a century ; during that time he has been under the jurisdiction of some of the most progressive and energetic Ministers that New Zealand has ever known. In the year that he was appointed Under-Secretary the Public Works expenditure was £391,612. Last year it was £2,950,368. As a Departmental head, Mr. Blow has always earned and gained the respect of those with whom he has . been connected, whether Ministerial or official or in a private capacity. Energetic,to a degree, thoroughly versed in the details of the Department which he controlled, Mr. Blow has always been glad to give the best advice and assistance that was in his power, irrespective of party or political considerations. One of the oldest members of the Public Service, Mr." Blow's retirement will be regretted by the thousands who have had departmental and business relations with him, and the service will experience the loss of a most capable, painstaking, and efficient officer.

The Mahcmo is expected to arrive in on Snnday next.