PRESENTATION TO MR. PERCY SMITH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11536, 22 November 1900, Page 5

PRESENTATION TO MR. PERCY SMITH.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Wednesday. An illuminated address, signed by 343 district officers of the Lands Department throughout the colony, as well as a revolving book case, another book case, a large chimney clock, an easy chair, and an office chair, were to-day presented to Mr. Percy Smith, the retiring Surveyor-General. The Minister for Lands made the presentation. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Wednesday. Mr. Percy Smith has been 45 years in the public service. The Minister for Lands, inpresenting the testimonial, gave an interesting account of Mr. Smith's career as a public officer, and the services he had rendered to the colony in the early days. He made extensive explorations and surveys amongst the Maoris in remote districts in the war times. He executed surveys of confiscated lands under the protection of covering parties furnished by the Imperial troops. These duties were carried out at the ctnstant risk of his life. He performed the surveys of the Chatham Islands, and subsequent to the year 1868 he extended the trigonometrical surveys on scientific principles over the native lands in the North, work which gave ample scope for a display of perseverance, resource, skill, and tact. On being selected by the Government, he made a through exploration and examination of the whole area affected by the great Tarnwera eruption. He had held the offices of Chief Surveyor and Commissioner of Crown Lands of Auckland, and the Assistant f?ur veyor-Generalship.for many years. He ] resided over the Lands Survey and Roads Departments as Surveyor-General and Secretary for Crown Lands, and he had frequently been selected for, and had filled j (sitions in connection with, Royal Commissions, acting as chairman in numerous cases Mr. Smith's investigations concerning the Polynesian race, and the location «*.? Hawaiki, " the whence of the Maori," had added additional lustre to his career.

Messrs. J. McKerrow (a former SurvayorGeneral), Messrs. Huntly Eliott, and Sir Jas. Hector, referred to the scientific pur suits of Mr. Percy Smith in connection with the survey of the' Polynesian Islands.