THE CHIEF BUILDERS

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 3, 4 July 1922, Page 10

THE CHIEF BUILDERS

GOVERNMENT ARCHITECTS

FAREWELL GATHERING.

There was a large gathering yesterday afternoon <5f members.of the Public Works Department staff to say farewell to the Chief Government Architect, Mr. J. Campbell, and the Assistant Architect, Mr. L. L. Richards, who have retired on superannuation.

The Minister of Publio Works (tie Hon. J. G. Coates) said that the work of architects was most important in a country, for the great structures which we left behind were a history of our development. Mr. Campbell and Mr. Richards had in the Government service done very good work. If in some Government buildings they considered that the rooms were too cramped, they must not blame the architects, but the men who controlled the money-bags and who were always, crying out for economy. Many visitors to New Zealand had commented upon our post offices, which were generally the finest buildings in the district. It was a great compliment to Mr. Campbell that the Government had selected Mr. Campbell's design from among all competitors for Parliament Buildings. A Government officer's job was mbst difficult. He had to deal with different Governments , and different Ministers having different points of view. The officer received practically no credit for the work he did, and he was blamed for mistakes. The Minister said he personally had to thank Mr.' Campbell for guiding him, as a new Minister, along safe lines; and preventing him from meeting with a number of nice little rows which he would have been in for if left to himself. They were sorry to lose officers with such experience as that possessed by Mr. Campbell and Mr. Richards, but those officers were acting generously by retiring and enabling you_ ger men to obtain promotion. Mr. Campbell was esteemed by all who knew him as a fine Scotch gentleman. Mr. Richards, as Assistant Government Architect, had been a loyal officer, and his able assistance had enabled the Department to carry on that team work which was essential to efficiency.

On behalf of the Department, the Minister presented to Mr. Campbell a travelling bag and rug, and to Mr. Richards an eiderdown quilt and pieces of silverplate. Other complimentary references to the retiring officers -were made by Mr. C. J. M'Kenzie,,. Assistant Engineer-in-Chief, and Mr. R. W. Holmes," ex-Chief Engineer. . i, TRIBUTE TO THE STAFF. Mr, Campbell said he was sorry to part from his old friends,; but he i thought it was fair to other officers and the Government that he should do so, and he was quite willing to go out. .Nevertheless, he had enjoyed his 50 years of office work, and particularly his 40 years in the Government service. He had been greatly interested in his profession, and the day had never been too long. He felt that it had been a privilege to design the buildings that it had been his lot to superintend, and he was proud to have been a servant of the Government. "Architect" meant "chief workman," and he had been chief workman for Government building; but as chief workman he could have done little without the assistance of an able staff, both; those older officers who were trained in England and those who later were trained in the Department. With reference to the Parliament Buildings competition, there was at first a great deal of opposition to allowing Government officers to take part, but; Mr.-Campbell said he had fought for tho right to take part, as he felt it would be of so much interest to the officers of the Department. Sir Joseph Ward had insisted that Government officers should be allowed to compete, and when later the | work came to the Department it i had been of great interest to all of them. The staff had lost heavily in the war; but it was nevertheless a staff now well qualified to undertake any work the Government could give it. There were young men there who had qualified under difficulties. He, suggested that it would be a good plan to allow the young officers to visit England for six months and gain expeiience by studying,,the buildings there. Mr. Campbell spoke of the excellent work done by Mr. Richards, find concluded by saying that he intended to visit England and renew old friendships. V Mr. Richards also returned thanks briefly, and especially expressed the ! great pleasure he had had in working under Mr. Campbell. He also paid his tribute to the efficiency of the architectural, staff of the Government.