SENIOR STOCK INSPECTOR

Evening Star, Issue 23029, 6 August 1938, Page 1

SENIOR STOCK INSPECTOR

MR R. g: fountain retires PRESENTATION FROM COLLEAGUES A representative gathering of the local divisions of the Department of Agriculture yesterday afternoon farowelled Mr 11. G. Fountain, senior stock inspector at Dunedin, who is retiring from the livestock division after over 40 years’ service. On behalf of the Dunedin field and office staffs, the district superintendent, Mr C. V. Dayus; made a presentation of silver plate. Referring to Mr Fountain’s period of service, Mr Dayus said that their guest that afternoon left the department to retire on superannuation with an enviable record and the good wishes of all with whom he had come in contact. He had been more than 40 years in the livestock division, having had his start as a rabbit agent at Kurow in 1898. At the end of two years he had been transferred to Timaru, where’ he later rose to be a stock inspector. At the end of two years he was shifted to Queenstown, and two years later was transferred to Dunedin, which had been his headquarters for the whole of the intervening .‘l4 years. During that period he had made many contacts inside and Outside the department. He had been associated with a long succession of departmental officers, and the high regard in which he was held by all who had worked with him was evidenced by the sheaf of congratulatory messages and telegrams that had been forwarded to that function from branches of the various divisions of the department all over the Dominion. His work had brought him in contact with many sections of the community, and those he had met outside the departs ment shared the official view of his worth. He had always been known as a thorough sportsman in the best sense of the term, and his loyalty and cooperation in the work of the department had made him a valuable officer and won him many friends. Mr Dayus then presented Mr Fountain with a handsome gift of silver plate, which he said carried with it the best wishes of the departmental officers for his future happiness in a well-earned retirement.

Mr J. M. Smith, fields superintendent, spoke on behalf of the fields division, and offered congratulations and best wishes on its behalf.

Representatives of the horticultural, dairy, and clerical divisions also spoke, and tributes were paid to the conscientious and thorough way in which Mr Fountain had always carried out his duties by several officers who -had worked with him for many years. Among these was Mr \V. Wills, under whom Mr Fountain worked when he joined the department at Kurow. Mr Fountain, in his reply, thanked those present for their good wishes, and said he would always remember with pleasure the harmony that had existed in the department in Dunedin throughout his period of service. The Dunedin branch of the department was recognised throughout the Dominion as the happiest family in the whole service. and he hoped that the spirit of goodwill that had prevailed in the past would be retained. Mr Fountain also referred to the esteem in which officers of the department were held by the farming community in Otago. He could

not speak for other provinces, but he would like_ to express hie appreciation of the hospitality and friendliness of farmers to departmental officers even at times when disciplinary action had ;o bo taken. It was a great help to officers in their work, and he hoped that the relationship would continue in the years to come.