CIVIC SERVANT HONOURED

Evening Star, Issue 22922, 1 April 1938, Page 15

CIVIC SERVANT HONOURED

ME M. G. HENDERSON S

RETIREMENT

FELLOW-WORKERS TAKE LEAVE

Members of the staff of the City Corporation’s electric power and lighting department met in the Council Chambers yesterday afternoon, to take farewell of Mr M. C. Henderson, who for the last 24 years has filled the position of city electrical engineer, and is retiring. The former assistant engineer (Mr G. T. Edgar), who succeeds Mr Henderson, presided, and there was a large attendance.

THIRTY-ONE YEARS’ SERVICE. Mr Edgar said that Mr _ Henderson took up his duties as assistant city electrical engineer at the inception of the department in January, 1907, tinder Mr, now Sir, W. G. T. Goodman, Power was supplied from Waipori Falls in the following April, and later in the year Mr Goodman left for Adelaide. The late Mr E. _E. Stark was then appointed city electrical engineer, and occupied the position until 1914, when Mr Henderson was appointed to the position. He had thus served the city for_ a total of over Si years—34 as city electrical engineer. This period had seen the development of this pioneer

power scheme from a small beginning to the great undertaking they had today. During Mr Henderson’s period as city electrical engineer the following progress had been made since 1914 (the 1937 figures being in brackets): —Number of consumers, 3,955 (28,472): kilowatts connected, 10,951 (86,000); units sold, 10,999,608 (67,433,000); capacity of power plant, 6,000 (19,375); revenue, £57,627 (£250,000). Mr Henderson must indeed be proud of the progress made in spite of the many trials and difficulties, such as breakdowns and shortage of power, during this long period, said Mr Edgar. It must also be gratifying to him that the work on the new tunnel and bus pipe at Waipori, and also the new substation at Ward street, were nearing completion; both of these were new methods of dealing with special undertakings, and due credit must be given to Mr Henderson’s foresight in their initiation.

Referring to Mr Henderson’s relations with the staff, Mr Edgar said he had always been fair, reasonable, and honourable in all his dealings with the staff—a man whose word was his bond, one on whom absolute dependence could he placed, and who was always sympathetic, kindly, and helpful to those in trouble. Mr Hendersqn was honoured and esteemed, not only in Dunedin and New Zealand, hut in other countries of the world. During the speaker’s tour abroad he met many engineers who inquired 1 after Mr Henderson in very complimentary terms. At the Supply Authority Conference last September, many of the delegates inquired after him, and stated how much they valued Mr Henderson’s advice and comments on the various matters which came up for consideration.

It was with feelings of sadness that they said good-bye to him, but they were glad to know that he still intended to make Dunedin his home. They hoped that Mrs Henderson and himself would enjoy good health and live long to enjoy their retirement. On behalf of the staff Mr Edgar presented Mr Henderson with a gold watch and chain inscribed “To M. O. Henderson, Esq., City Electrical Engineer, from the staff of the D.C.C. E.P. and L. Dept., on his retirement, 1907-1938.” This was given as a token of esteem and goodwill, and carried with it the very best wishes of the staff, said Mr Edgar. To Mrs Henderson must be given no small credit for his success, and it was with pleasure they wished to remember her, and asked him to convey to her a gold wristlet watch. Messrs W. T. Doig, D. W. Stewart, L. Dodd, W. Kofoed, S. G. Secular, A. H. Dickson, E. Young, J. Long, R. Neil, A. Salmon, L. G. M'Lean, and J. M'Narey spoke in appreciative terms of their association with Mr Henderson. PROGRESS OF THE DEPARTMENT, In replying, Mr Henderson thanked the speakers for their kindly references to his services. The job was not a single man one, but it was for all of them, and ho had only the honour of being the head. The speaker referred to the work of Mr Stark, and said that he had inherited the interest of his predecessor. During the time ho had been with the city electrical department there had been many changes made. The Waipori scheme was given a start by a gold mining syndicate which wished to drive one of the 13 dredges then working on the Waipori River. They had taken risks, which had at times been by no means small. In 1913 a weir was being built, and a flood had washed everything away. Again, m 1917, on a Sunday afternoon the power station was flooded and power cut off for 30 hours. Another serious difficulty arose when the pipe line wall subsided in 1929. During the years the work had been intensely interesting, as the job grew from a plant producing 6,000 kilowatts to one of 32,000 kilowatts. This growth had been made possible by the loyal co-operation of every one of the staff. They had been disagreements, but that had been bound to occur, and he had the pleasure of knowing that he had always tried to be fair. He might have done some of them nn injustice at some time, hut he assured them that it had never been intentional.

In conclusion he urged the members of the staff to give Mr Edgar the name lovnhv that had been accorded to him. He dcenly appreciated the presentation's which had been made. The function concluded vith the; singing of “For he’s a jollv cood fellow.” and three cheers for Mrs Henderson.