HIGHLY-ESTEEMED CHIEF

Evening Star, Issue 22618, 9 April 1937, Page 13

HIGHLY-ESTEEMED CHIEF

STAFF FAREWELL TO TOWN CLERK .FAR G. A. inn's QUALITIES PRAISED That Mr G. A. Lewin enjoys the goodwill and the highest esteem of the rank and file of the Town Hall staff was made evident yesterday afternoon, when a .presentation was made to tho retiring town clerk at a largely-at-tended function in the Council Chamber. For 26 years cordial relations have existed! between the city’s chief executive officer and the staff, who expressed appreciation of tho kindness and assistance always given by Mr Lewin when dealing .vyith any problem concerning them.' : ■ ,The function was presided over by tho ,town..clerk .(Mr R. A. Johnston). In .a. service, such as theirs, Mr Johnston said, they became more or less accustomed to periodical gatherings to pay their respects to fellow officers. _ The present occasion was, however, singular, -as apart from his long service as head of the staff, Mr Lewin had occupied a very important place in local body affairs . not only in Dunedin, but throughout the Dominion generally. There were now relatively few members ’of the staff who were in the service; when Mr Lewin took up duty 26 years ago. Those few would be able to. look back iover the years and they would realise that the service entered upon a; new era with the advent of Mr Lewin—an era. which brought credit not only ,to the head of the service, but to the staff who had the honour _of serving under his direction. During that period almost the whole of the activities. of the council had passed through a period of reorganisation and marked expansion. The sound and flourishing condition of the services as a. whole and the business activities of the; council to-day bore witness to the careful and wise direction of the town .clerk in■ association with the heads of the departments. • In "‘completing over 26 years of service Mr Lewin nad set up a record for town clerks of this city, Mr Johnston said. ■ 'His closest "predecessor for length of service was Mr Joseph M, Massey, who served from 1867 to 1881—a period of 14 years. Throughout his years of service there was one characteristic which Mr Lewin had ■ shown in marked degree—a natural modesty. He never sought the slightest recognition for his work. Honours, therefore, rested oh him lightly and >le£t hiih'entirely unchanged to, those around him. He looked for no further toward' than- the' knowledge of a task Carried out and completed to the best of his’ability: ■ , In conclusion, Mr Johnston said they could not let the present occasion passwithout extending their thanks to Mr Lewin for his kindly regard for the staff, and for his willingness to help those who came to him for advice or assistance. Mr Lewin was at all times easily approachable, not only to the staff, but the public generally. Those of the staff who- knew him best very soon acquired the highest respect for his fair-mindedness, his deep sense of justice, and' his kindliness of heart. That respect had deepened with the' years and would remain whatever changes the future might bring. In expressing to him their regretful farewells, -they extended ( their- heartiest congratulations on his wonderful record of service as town clerk. To these they added their best wishes for his future health, and the sincere hope that he might Iqng be spared, with Mrs Lewin, to enjoy a happy retirement. (Applause.) Mr J. G. Scoullar (engineer’s department) said that in small as well as major matters Mr Lewin had always been most helpful to the staff,_ Even after 26 years there still remained in the department some of the “ sins ” pointed out by •Mr Lewin in his first annual report. The staff, in' wishing him merely “ au revoir,” thanked him for his kindness over so long a period. “ The staff has indeed been very fortunate in having Mr Lewin as the chief executive officer for so many years,” said Mr E. T. Edgar (electric light and power department). Mr Lewin had set a standard for town dlerksbip not only in _ Dunedin, but throughout the Dominion, and ho had every reason to be proud .of, his unblemished record in the position. The climax to his service was reached when he was sent to England by the City Council and the Harbour Board to renew the loans, a mission he carried out with entire satisfaction to both bodies. Mr Edgar also referred to Mr Lewin’s part in the satisfactory settlement of the Waipori Dam flooding claims and the negotiations with the Government for the power supply contract. Mr Lewin would, have many happy memories of his association with the staff to take with him into retirement, which, all hoped, would be long and happy: The high regard and esteem in which Mr Lewin was held by the staff in general was conveyed by Mr J. M‘Narey, It was not given to many men in high executive positions- to maintain over a quarter of a century such loyal and harmonious relations as existed in the Town Hall, largely due to Mr . Lewin’s approachability and humble and considerate policy. Mr Lewin was regarded as a man of lofty impulses and high ambitions, and as a financial! genius. A presentation of a silver rose bowl, book ends, and a smoker’s tray were made to Mr Lewin by Mr Johnston. MR LEWIN’S REPLY, Mr Lewin said his pleasure at meeting the staff to say farewell was mixed with a complaint that they should have thought, it necessary to show their esteem by handsome gifts. He felt that he was emulating a famous Scottish comedian who paid several “ farewell ” visits and each time left with big presents. The goodwill expressed to him on his retirement, both inside and outside the walls of the Town Hall, was valued more highly than anything else by him. He had attempted to take a human attitude' in his dealings with tho staff; an executive officer was npt always a hero to those who came in contact from day to day with him and saw his temperaments and moods, and it was an immense pleasure to him to know that after all those years of ups and downs he carried away the staff’s goodwill and wishes, kindest sentiments, and respect. He valued beyond all measure the evidence that after 26 years he retired with the goodwill of those with whom he had worked. He appealed for the same _ loyal support and assistance to be given to his successor. They realised they were working for one body, tho City Council, and not one department. To his own immediate staff he owed much. They had attempted to serve the public loyally, faithfully, and efficiently, and he was sure that - spirit of service would' continue. Mr Lewin was further honoured by the singing of “ For he’s a jolly good fellow.”