VALEDICTORY

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 152, 30 June 1922, Page 8

VALEDICTORY

MR. M'CLURE SAYS FAREWELL

TO CROWN LAND BOARD,

Mr. G. H. M. M'Clure, who has resignedl the position, of Commissioner of Crown Lands in the Wellington district, took the opportunity to-day to say farewell to the members of the board.

After quoting how the operations of the board had increased since the passing of the Dischai^ed Soldiers' Settlement Act, Mr. M'Clure thanked ■ the members of the board for the wholehearted support that had been accorded him. In their sound, advice and prudent counsel they had helped to make the D.S.S. Act the success it was, and the number of returned men who badi been assisted bore eloquent testimony of the work the board had done. Thaaiks were ajso due to all Crown tenants; for the way they had earned out their obligations and for the valuable local information which they had at ail times so willingly placed at the board's disposal. "I have to thank, both the officers and field staff, especially our secretary, Mr.l Bannister, and Messis. Watt and Hulme, the officers in charge of the discharged soldiers' branch, for their assiduous attention to the great mass of detail, so necessary for the speedy working of the boaardi," continued. Mr. M'Crure.

" The returned soldiers will ever have cause to be grateful to the staff of the Lands and Survey Department, many of whom are returned men themselves, for the care and attention they have devoted to the carrying out of the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act. Both the members of the legal profession and mercantile firms, who have worked so harmoniously with the board, deserve our thanks, the former for the tactful manner in which they have urged their clients' cases, and the latter for the financial assistance they have given the returned men, and the press for the lengthy and accurate reports of the business, which have been of great assistance in disseminating early information of the proceedings of the board."

Mr. H. T. Ellingham stated that he felt very sorry indeed that that was the last meeting at which Mr. M'Clnre would preside. He commented with great pleasure on the great amount of work My. M'Clure had done in New Zealand, and said he thought the soldiers in this district. should be thankful for the energy and hard work Mr. M'Clure had putin on their behalf. As the Crown tenants' representative, he wished to thank the Commissioner and staff, anff trusted that Mr. M'Clure would enjoy the very best of health and prosperity, and that he would live a long time to see the result of his work.

Mr. Joseph Dawson stated that in the early days he knew Mr. M'Clure when he was a surveyor. He was very sorry Mr. M'Olure was leaving arid hoped it was for the best; but whatever Mr. iM'Clutb did he hoped he; would benefit •by-it. There was no doubt about the sympathy Mr. M'Clure and. the Hon. the Minister of Lands had for the soldiers.

Mr. J. Georgetti said that the soldiers of New Zealand were extremely fortunate in having a Minister, Commissioner, and boardthat had done their utmost for them.. Mr. M'Clure had never lost an opportunity in bettering the settlements. He was instrumental in obtaining the water supplies for Putorino, Oloverlea, and Kairanga Settlements, and quite recently had arranged to clear up Matai■kona and put it in a state that, when it was taken up, the soldiers would go on to clean farms. Mr. M'Clure had never spared himself, and the speaker thanked him for the manner in which he had carried out his duties. .

Mr. C. M'lntyire regretted ■very much having- to say goodbye to Mr. M'Clure, and congratulated him on. the transformation of the country, and also! on the choice of his future work. '

In thanking the board for the kind references made, Mr. M'Clute said that his duties had been a labour of lo\*s, although onerous to a very great extent. If by his efforts he had contributed to the betterment of the people, then his work had not been in vain.