BOARD'S TRIBUTE

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 76, 26 September 1940, Page 7

BOARD'S TRIBUTE

LATE MR. Ai G. BARNETT

The chairman and members of the Wellington Harbour Board last evening recorded their deep regret at the untimely death of Mr. A. G. Barnett, general manager of the board, on September 6, and their sympathy with his widow and relatives.

The late Mr. Barnett, said the chairman, Mr. W. L. Fitzherbert, joined the board's services as a messenger in March, 1898, and after five months in the wharf office was transferred to the head office, where he received his early training under the late Mr. William Ferguson, then secretary and engineer to the board, under whom he became confidential clerk in 1907. In 1912 he was promoted to the vacant position of treasurer and assistant secretary. On the retirement of Mr. H. E. Nicholls in 1924 he was appointed secretary and became chief executive officer on the retirement of Mr. James Marchbanks in 1932. From 1934 to the date of his death Mr. Barnett held the position of general manager, during the first three years of which he also carried out the duties of secretary. In 1931 Mr.. Barnett was granted six months' leave of absence to visit Great Britain, during which time •he made an inspection of various harbours, both in the Homeland and on the Continent. On his return he presented an appropriate report to the board. "Throughout his long service with the board,'particularly in recent, years, he took a keen interest in the welfare of the ..staff and its social activities," said the chairman. "Mr. Barnett's active connection with the affairs of the Harbours Association of New Zealand dates from 1911 when he was appointed the association's secretary, and in that capacity rendered excellent service to the harbour boards throughout the Dominion by protecting and furthering their interests." The board then passed the following motion, standing in silence: "Thati th<s Wellington Harbour Bbard record ] its profound regret at the sudden and untimely death on September 6, at the j Chateau, Tongariro, of its general j manager, Mr. Arthur George Barnett, j at the zenith of a distinguished career of over forty-two years in the service of the board. His extensive knowledge of harbour affairs and proven ability as a wise administrator, coupled with his unremitting devotion to duty, has earned for him the esteem,of all with whom he came in contact."