Mr. Kenny’s Work

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 282, 12 November 1936, Page 6

Mr. Kenny’s Work

TRIBUTES PAID Presentation Made by Napier Citizens SERVICES TO TOWN “Well done, thou good and faithful servant,” aptly indicates the sentiment felt by Napier citizens present this morning at a presentation ceremony in favour of the late secretary ef the Napier Harbour Board, Mr Jno. P. Kenny, who has retired from the employ of the Harbour Board after 51 years’ of service. Expressions of appreciation for his good work of the past were voiced by the Hon. w. E. Barnard, M.P., the Mayor of Napier, Mr O. O. Morse, and other speakers, all of whom wished Mr Kenny the best of happiness in his retirement. He is to leave shortly for England to enjoy a well-earned holiday.

“This morning we are extending a ‘cheerio’ to one who has given to Napier longer service than has ever been rendered —and, I may say, longer service than has ever been given in the Dominion before,” said Mr Morse. “Mr Kenny has always been fair and square, and has been loyal to those he has served.

“As chief citizen of Napier I want to wish you the utmost of joy in the future, a very long life and the retention of the wonderful faculties you have enjoyed throughout your life.”

Mr Barnard said he had known Mr Kenny ever since he, Mr Barnard, had been in Napier. It was a credit to Mr Kenny’s qualities that he had been able to retain his position for so long a period. Mr Barnard referred to the good work of Mr Kenny as secretary ot the Richmond Small Farm Settlement Committee. A UNIQUE SECRETARY. Many other speakers spoke in appreciative terms of Mr. Kenny 6 past services to Napier. Mr. P. W. Peters: Mr. Kenny has been a very unique secretary to the Harbour Board. In his intense desire to be loyal to the board, he has let nothing come between him and his duty. We have come to know Mr. Kenny as a good friend. Air. W. Harvey: What a wonderful service Mr. Kenny has given in helping to build up Napier and its harbour! He has given service before self, at all times. He has carried out his job without fear and without favour. Mr. P. F. Higgins: The chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr. T. M. Geddis, cannot be here to-day, but he is with us in spirit. In the unavoidable absence ot the deputy-chairman, Mr. E. J. Herrick, I am next in seniority on the board, and on behalf of the board I want to say how much we have appreciated Mr. Kenny’s past services. He knew his duties and he never failed to carry them out. For many years he has held the opinion that a Breakwater held the greatest prospects for a deepsea harbour for Napier, and I’m sure he was deeply gratified when he saw this work actually started. Mr. Kenny never rushed in where angels feared to tread, and he never made a wrong decision.

UNEQUALLED PUBLIC SERVANT. Mr. A. B. Campbell (representing the Harbour Board's solicitors): During the 34 years I have had so much to do with the board, I have realised that I have been up against a man with a brain superior to my own, I might say. As Mr. Higgins has said, Mr. Kenny’s decisions were always right. As a Public Servant I have never met his equal. Mr. Guy Rochfort (reclamation engineer to the Harbour Board): I have realised, during my associations with th© board, that it has been a helpful experience and a very great pleasure to have worked with. Mr. Kenny. We can say of him that he has had an important job, and he has done it well. Mr. J. E. Gleadow: I am one of four, I think, who remembers Mr. Kenny joining the Harbour Board as office boy 51 years ago. For the work he has done since 1 think he deserves the Victoria Cross. I congratulate him upon his long service. He has always done nis duty. The Public Trustee, Mr. F. W. Browne: Mr. Kenny is, to my mind, a young man. I hope that when he returns to Napier after his holiday he will continue to take an interest in the town’s affairs. Mr. C. Price: One could not be associated with Mr. Kenny for very long without realising his outstanding ability for organisation. His knowledge of harbour board matters is, I think, outstanding in this country. Mr. P Ashcroft: Mr. Kenny has always placed his job first; he has stuck to his job and has never slackened up on it. He has given everybody a hearing and has had no favourites.

Mr. John Dick (representing public bodies): I am glad to see Mr. Kenny reaching the retiring age so sound in body and intellect. PURSE PRESENTED, Mr. Morse then presented Mr. Kenny with a purse, asking him to use it to purchase some gift to act as a reminder of happy days spent in Napier. “I’m filled to overflowing with appreciation for th© remarks of the various speakers,” said Mr. Kenny in thanking everyone for the gift. “I have been through all sorts of scraps and have dodged all sorts of missiles—■ some fairly heavy—but 1 have coma out all right.” He paid a glowing tribute to the capabilities of the present chairman. Mr. Geddis, and referred to the services rendered by present and past members' of the board. “You must know that public servants are good game to have a shot at,”- ho added, “but one doesn’t mind

putting up with that if one is doing one’s duty. I have stuck to my job, but have been assisted greatly by a good staff. I have always tried to emulate the copy-book saying: ‘H a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing well.' ”

LOCAL BODY FRAYS “Smoke and Shell and a Considerable Quantity of Gas” Praise for the capable manner in which the past secretary of the Napier Harbour Board, Mr. Jno. P. Kenny, had served the interests of the district despite the change of chairmanship and policy from time to time during past years, was given at a presentation ceremony in Napier this morning by the Hon. W. E. Barnard, M.P. “Even in my time Mr. Kenny has served under twp chairmen—Mr. Jull and Mr. Geddis,” he said. “They were both of different temperament and both had different policies. The fact that Mr. Kenny has served both masters so well is a credit to his ability. He has given satisfaction to all sorts of chiefs and has survived all sorts of perils. That’s a striking credit to his rare intelligence.” Mr. P. F. Higgins, a present member of the board: I have been one active participant in past frays and I have seen Mr. Kenny in the battle lines, surrounded by shot and shell, and always by a considerable quantity of gas. But he has always been unscatched, despite endeavours made to draw him to one side or another. “I think members of the Harbour Board and all other local bodies deserve the Victoria Cross for standing up to all the abuse they don’t deserve, and for standing by their convictions,”replied Mr. Kenny in denying that he had any particular c -dins to merit for “bravery in the battle”.