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Free Lance, Volume XVIII, Issue 984, 14 May 1919, Page 8

Two of the highest officials in the Public Service of New Zealand have just resigned after a life-time's honourable service in order to retire on well-earned superannuation.' One is Mr Leonard Stowe, Clerk of Parliament since 1889, clerk of the Legislative Council since 1865 and examiner of standing orders and private bills. The other is Mr J. F. Andrews, who succeeded the late Mr Alex Willis ten years ago as Clerk of the Executive Council and Secretary to the Cabinet. Both gentlemen have had important public functions to fulfil and both therefore have been in very intimate touch with the leading actors in New Zealand's political history. * ' * * * Mr Leonard Stowe's public record extends back • two generations. He helped to rock the cradle, so to speak, of the New Zealand Parliament. Born at Trolly Hall, Buckinghamshire, in 1837, he was educated at the famous Rugby school, and as a ; youngster of 21 came out to New Zealand in 1858 to push his fortunes. He tried first of all station life and after several years' association with the golden fleece he Was appointed secretary to ihe Superintendent of the Province of Marlborough, and suited the billet so 'well that he was soon called up to the higher position of Clerk of the Provincial Council of Marlborough. In 1865 he was appointed Clerk of the New Zealand Legislative Council and for the past 54 years has filled the position most worthily and since '89 that of Clerk' of Parliament as well. ' * * * * In the Upper House through a period of fifty-four years Mr Stowe has been a guide, philosopher and friend to successive batches of New Zealand "lords." He had the happy knack of getting through his work rapidly without fuss or fume. In times of stress or difficulty he never lost his head. Upon points of order or of precedent he never seemed to be at fault. One of his amiable hobbies was a love of flowers. If there was a rare bloom in the flower market Mr Stowe was sure to have. The choice bouquet that is presented to the Governor's wife at the opening of Parliament, usually came from Mr Stowe's own garden, and if ever you found the "lords" wandering about the lobbies with bright flowers in their button-holes you might bet a guinea to a gooseberry that the genial clerk was the donor thereof. Mr Stowe retires at the age of 82 after 56 years' sterling public service. The Upper House won't seem quite the same place without him. Six years ago Mi" Stowe received from the King the distinction of C.M.Gr. in recognition of his great record as a Parliamentary officer. * * * * Mr J. F. Andrews' career reads like a romance. Its salient features only we have room to glance at this week but we hope to return to the subject next week. He was born in 1848 in Auckland where his father Dr. H. J. Andrews was in good medical practice. Young Frank joined the Customs Service in 1865 but kicked over red tape to have a trip to Honolulu, where he went on the stage for a while. Perhaps he might have made a fortune on the stage had he stuck to it for he Has a rare power of mimicry, a wonderful memory and many other, qualities that spell success as a public entertainer. * * * * However he come back to New Zealand and after trying his luck as a gold digger on the West Coast he entered the service of R. J. Seddon, then mining advocate, as book-keeper. Then he went to Dunedin and re-entered the Government service as counter-clerk at the Telegraph Office. After a spell in the Public Works Department under Mr H. J. H. Blow, under whose advice he learnt shorthand and typewriting, he was made private secretary to the Hon. Mr Ballance (then Premier}, and subsequently served his old boss, Mr Seddon in the same capacity, and

also at Lord Onslow's request was allowed to act as his private secretary for a while after the Governor's owa secretary had left for England. Mr J. F. Andews was appointed Clerk of the Executive Council and Secretary tothe Cabinet upon the late Mr Alex Willis's retirement ten years ago, and in 1913 his valuable services were recognised with membership of the 1.5.0.. Mr Andrews is also a J.P. He has just been granted six months 5 leave of absence on full pay preparatory to retirement. . <. . " '