OBITUARY

Evening Star, Issue 21903, 14 December 1934, Page 11

OBITUARY

MR F. D. THOMSON, €.M.G>- , DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVANT PREMIER'S TRIBUTE [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, December 14. The death occurred at 2 o’clock this morning in the Bowen Street Private Hospital of Mr Frank David Thomson, permanent head of the Prime Minister’s Department, Clerk of the Executive Council, and secretary to Cabinet. By his death the dominion loses one of her most distinguished public servants. Mr Thomson was at his office in Parliament Buildings last Saturday looming, but went home at about midday, feeling unwell; A doctor was called in, and later Mr Thomson was removed to the hospital, where he. was operated bn during the afternoon. . He was fiftyseven years old, and leaves a widow. [Mr Thomson was educated at the Napier Boys’ High School, Canterbury College, a,nd Victoria College, and took his B.A. degree in 1901. He entered the Civil Service in 1895 as a cadet in the Education Department, was appointed private secretary to the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon in 1901, accompanied him to the Colonial Conference in 1902 and the coronation of King Edward. He was private secretary to the Hon. J. A. Millar (1906-12), to the Hon. A. M. Myers (1912). chief private secretary to the Right Hon. W. F. Massey (1912-25), and to the Right Hon. J. G. Coates (1925-26). Mr Thomson was appointed in ' 1926 the first permanent head of the Prime Minister’s Department. He was secretary to the New Zealand delegations to Imperial Conferences in 1917, 1918, 1919, 1921. 1923, 1926. and 1930; was a member of the British Empire delegation secretariat at the Peace Conference (1919),- and a member of the Imperial Conference secretariat since 1917. He received the C.M.G. award in 1920;] UNIQUE SERVICE.

Interviewed this morning, the Hon. G. W. Forbes said; u lt would perhaps be difficult,to find throughout the Kninire an officer of the public service who had had such unique service as Mr Frank Thomson. He had been associated in the capacity as chief private secretary with several Prime Ministers, and had accompanied them to the United Kingdom in connection with Imperial Conferences on at least nine occasions, involving sea travel of nearly a quarter of a million miles. He possessed a most kindly and cheerful disposition, and yt as ever ready to lend a helping hand to the innumerable people who in his long term of office came to him for assistance and advice. He w,as an officer of outstanding ability, ’ and the qualities of courtesy, tact, and diplomacy so necessary to the carrying out of. his duties were strongly ingrained in his make-up. During his lengthy association with Parliament House he rendered invaluable service to the_ State, and his able and mature advice and counsel will be greatly missed ._ He has for many years been a familiar figure about the buildings, and Ministers, members of Parliament, ■ and ■ officers alike will sorely _ miss a personality whom they held,in the very highest esteem and affectionate regard. During the past few years, as permanent head of the Prime Minister’s Department, he was closely in touch, with me personally. and I had tli6 opportunity of realising his sterling worth both as an officer of the State and as a man. He measured well up to the highest traditions of both. It was with the deepest regret that I learned of his passing this morning, and my warmest sympathy goes out to his wife and the members of his family in their bereavement,’'

MR G. W. MOON The Press Association announces the death, at Wellington of Mr G. W. Coutts Moon, aged eighty-one. He was chief of the ‘ Lyttelton Times ’ report--ing staff for some years,. had further newspaper experience in Dunedin, and subsequently entered the employ of the Tourist Department, serving at Christchurch, Ihmedin, and Wellington.