PUBLIC WORKS ENGINEER

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 July 1936, Page 5

PUBLIC WORKS ENGINEER

MR. J. WOOD APPOINTED

[per press association.]

WELLINGTON, July 20

The resignation of Mr. C. J. McKenzie, engineer-in-chief and undersecretary of the Public Works Department, was announced to-day by the Minister for Public Works (Hon. R. Semple). Mr. McKenzie’s resignation, which is to ta<<e effect from tomorrow, has been brought about by the continued ill-health from which he has suffered since he was suddenly taken ill at Weheka last January, when on tour with the Minister. Mr. John Wood, who is at present assistant. cngineer-in-chief, has been appointed by the Acting-Public Service Commissioner to succeed Mr. McKenzie. and the appointment has been con firmed by the Minister.

?».'r. Wood has been in the Public Works Department for 36 years. Early in his career he was for four years associated with the construction ot the Central Otago railway, and also on surveys lor hydro-electi\c power proposals in that district. He was later resident engineer in Nelson For six months in 1906 he was assistant engineer on the Nortn Island main trunk railway. In 1907 he was appointed engineer in charge for the Governmen' on the Arthurs Pass tunnel construction. When the Public Works Department took charge of the roads of the Dominion Mr. Wood was appointed engineer for the Westport district in charge of railways, harbours, roads, public buildings and other works. Mr. Wood was district engineer in Whannarci.for the North Auckland district from 1912 to 1920. In 1920 he was appointed inspecting engineer at Wellington, and he held that position until 1933, when ho was appointed assistant, engineer-in-chief. Mr. Wood has been associated with the Main Highways Board since 1925, and he was appointed a member of the board ii. 1932. For 10 years he was chairman of the Waimakariri River TTust, and took part in the planning and carrying out of the flood control scheme for the protection of Christchurch and tho surrounding districts. He qualified as a registered surveyor in 1905, and was elected a member of the Institute of Civil Engineers in l!)06. He has been a member of the New Zealand Society ot Civil Engineers since its foundation in 1913.

PRIME MINISTER’S DEPT

WELLINGTON, July 20

A slight reorganisation of the staff of the Prime Minister’s department )i:is been necessitated bv the departure. from Wellington to-day of Mr. A. Berendsen. C.M.G., permanent head of Hie depareinent. who will be a member of the New Zealand delegation to the Assembly ot the League of Nations at Geneva in September. During Mr. Berendsen’s absence, Mr. C. A. Jeffrey, C.M.G., chief private secretary to the Prime Minister, will act as head of the department, although he will continue to carry out his normal official duties. Mr. I’.orondsen left for Auckland by train ■' <>, and will sail by

the Niagu/a io-morrow on his way to England. He will travel in company with Hie fuime High Commissioner. Mr. W. J. Jordan. M.P.. who will be 1- uder of the New Zealand delegation at Geneva. Mr. Berendsen hopes to return to the Dominion before the end of the year.