MR. W. ROBERTSON

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 77, 1 April 1939, Page 11

MR. W. ROBERTSON

, LJNDER-SECREtARY FOR

SUCCESSOR ANNOUNCED

, -The appointment of Mr. R. G. Macmdrran as; Undersecretary-for Lands, in successiqn to Mr. W. Robertson, 1.5.0., who -retired : yesterday after 47 years' service, airid the appointment of Mr. T. Pound as assistant Tinder-Secretary, were announced yesterday at the farewell given to Mr. Robertson.

Mr. Macmorran is a son of the late Mr. G. Macrnorran, who was at one time headmaster of. the Terrace < School, Wellington. He joined the Lands and Survey Department as a cadet in 1904, and has served that Department ever since. Transferred to, Auckland as a surveyor in 1908, Mr. Macmorran was later in. charge of drainage work for five years on the Hauraki Plains. He enlisted in 1915 with the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, and on his return from service overseas again took, up drainage work. Mr. Macmorran

was appointed chief drainage engineer in 1927, and four years later was appointed chief surveyor of the combined North and South Auckland district as well. In this capacity he took an active part in land development work and in the establishment of the small farms scheme. About a year ago he was appointed Assistant Tinder-Secre-tary for Lands,- and has held that position ever since.

• The Minister of Lands (the Hon. P. Langstone) paid a tribute to Mr. Robertson's career at the farewell function. The Minister said that, though there had been many great men' as Under-Secretaries for Lands, Mr: Robertson overwhelmed them all and was 'the greatest Undersecretary New Zealand ever had. The Department had come through trying times with flying colours, and he believed the general opinion of the Department was that it did its work faithfully and well.. Mr. Robertson had always been able to get the best from'his staff because of his own personahtv He had made history, and helped the country in. ; no mean way. Mr. Robertson- had. discharged his duty faithfully and well On behalf of the Government he wished to express to Mr Robertson its thanks for his valuable services. He wished Mr. and Mrs. Robertson every happiness and health in Mr. .Robertson's retirement.

Mr, Robertson said that for the whole of his service his work in the ■'Department had been a 'pleasure. The staff was responsible for any success

that he had achieved, and he made that statement without reservation.

Presentations from the staff of the Department were made to Mr. .Robertson. These comprised a canteen of silver cutlery, a silver tea service, an afternoon tea set, a clock, a bag of bowls, and an album containing an address signed by officers of the Department. A toilet set was also included for Mrs. Robertson. .Mr. Robertson returned thanks for the handsome gifts/ and the gathering "concluded with »the singing of 'Tor He's a Jolly Good Fellow."