SIR CECIL DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 153, 30 June 1936, Page 8

SIR CECIL DAY

DECISION TO RESIGN ILL' HEALTH OF WIFE Sir Cecil Day, official secretary ,to the Governor-General of New Zealand for 26 years, has tendered his resignation to the Government as the continued ill health of Lady Day prevents their return from England (states the "New Zealand Herald"). Receipt of Sir Cecil's resignation was acknowledged on Monday by the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, but he stated that it had not yet been accepted by the Government. The matter was being investigated by the Cabinet in an effort to ascertain whether Sir Cecil's services could not be utilised by the Government in London. The Government fully appreciated the assistance Sir Cecil Day had given to the State over many years. Sir Cecil, and Lady Day left for England in May last year on leave of absence, but shortly after their arrival Lady Day developed an illness which necessitated the cancelling of all their holiday plans. Since then Lady Day has spent practically all her time in the bracing air of the Cotswolds. Early in March Sir Cecil was advised by doctors that it would be risky for Lady Day to attempt the voyage back to New Zealand.

"With his resignation went the frustration of their cherished hopes, for they are both deeply attached to the Dominion after having spent the best part of their lives in what Sir Cecil describes as 'that earthly fraradise."»

On Lord Islington's appointment as Governor of New Zealand in 1910 Sir Cecil, who had assisted in the control of his estates since 1906, accompanied him to the Dominion, occupying the post of assistant private secretary on his Excellency's personal staff. Sir Cecil successively filled the position of official secretary to the Earl of Liyerpool, Viscount Jellicoe, Sir Charles Fergusson, and Lord Bledlsloe, but he was out of New Zealand on leave when Lord Galway arrived. Sir Cecil was awarded the C.B.E. in 1919 and the C.M.G. in 1925, and was knighted in June, 1932. Lady Day was formerly Miss Catherine Fisher, youngest daughter of the late Mr. William Fisher, of Gloucester.