RETIREMENT OF MR W. WILLCOX.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 124, 23 April 1927, Page 3

RETIREMENT OF MR W. WILLCOX.

SUPERINTENDENT AT ROTORUA. Visitors from all parts of the Dominion who spend their vacations at Rotorua, and largo numbers of overseas tourists, will regret to hear of the approaching retirement on superannuation of Mr W. Willocx, the superintendent of the Government grounds (says the Aucldand Star). The magnificent floral displays, in the grounds have won general admiration from countless thousands who have visited Rotorua during the past eight years, displays which reflect the greatest credit on Mr Willcox and his efficient staff. , Mr Willcox joined the service in 1903 and was stationed at Hanmer for three yeqrs; in 1906 he was transferred to Queenstown, where ho formed the beautiful gardens that are there today out of what was then a wilderness. After 11J years spent at Queenstown he was transferred to Te Aroha, and he remained there until transferred to Rotorua, where he has been stationed for the past eight years. During his stay he has made vast improvements in the gardens generally, especially in the bowling greens and croquet and tennis courts, but his greatest speciality was the growing of flowers, and his expert advice has always been at the disposal of the amateur gardener who wished for it. The staff of the grounds, as part-

ing (pi ; presented him with a handsome f jit case, through Mr W. Hill, the re ident officer, and he also received a cheque from the Rotorua Bowlin ; Club, of.which he was a member of the committee. The Government. estimonial to Mr Willcox r-avs “that lotorua and Queenstown will be a last ag memorial to the good work done 1 f him.” Mr ' Villcox expects to leave Rotorua in tlie near future, and will probably reside it Papatqptoe. His successor at •Rotcri a will be Mr A. Hesketh, of Te Aroha.