UNIQUE SERVICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22820, 30 August 1937, Page 11

UNIQUE SERVICE

BLACK ROD'S CAREER MR. A. T. BOTHAMLEY RETIRES CAPTAIN D. BRYAN TO SUCCEED [BY' TELEGRAPH OWN CORRESPONDENT! WELLINGTON. Saturday Tlie retirement of Mr. A. T. Bothamley from tlie office of Gentleman Usher of the BUck Hod was announced to-day by the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. M. J. Savage. The position has been filled by Captain Douglas Bryan, of Wellington, who served in Egypt and Gallipoli in 1915. He was wounded at Gallipoli and returned to New Zealand. From October, 1915, to February, 1919, he served as A.M.S. and A.D.O. to the general officer commanding the New Zealand Forces. From July, 1919, to November of that year he was tached to the headquarters of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in London', including two months with the Fourth Corps headquarters in Germany. Thereafter until July, 1920, he was attached to the First Battalion, Queen's Regiment, at Aldershot. Sixty-six Years of Service "The* career of Mr. Bothamley in the service of the Legislature covers more than half the full history of the New Zealand Parliament," said Mr. Savage. " Mr. Bothamley has been a Parliamentary officer since 1871, and also the first and only Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod for 45 years. That means 66 years of continuous service, and in all that time there has not been a blemish. It would be difficult to find a greater record of unbroken devotion to duty in the annals of the Civil Service throughout the British Commonwealth of Nations. "Now, in his 91st year, this faithful veteran retires from a position which he has enriched with dignity and an exemplary knowledge of the traditions and ceremonial procedure of Parliament.

" The Government regrets Mr.. Bothamley's retirement," continued the Prime Minister, "but I can say as one knowing the thoughts of all the Ministers of the Crown, and, indeed, of all legislators and those ated with Parliamentary life, that nothing but admiration is felt and expressed about Mr. Bothamley's splendid record of service. He has the best wishes of us all." Rapid Promotion Mr. Bothamley was born on St. Andrew's Day, November 30, 1846, at Champion Hill, Surrey, England, being one of a family of 17 children. As a young man he did not enjoy robust health, and when 22 years of age he left England on a recuperative trip to Victoria and Tasmania. Within a year or two he visited New Zealand, and liked the country and its pioneer people. He joined the Civil Service as a clerk under the late Sir James Hector, who was Director of Geological Survey and manager of the New Zealand Institute. In 1871 Mr. Bothamley was appointed an extra clerk in the Legislative Council. Promotion was rapid and within seven years he became Clerk Assistant to the Legislative Council, and held that position until his retirement in 1925. In addition to that service, however, Mr. Bothamley acted as private secretary to the late Sir John Hall, who was then Premier, during the Parliamentary recess in 1878. For two years he also acted as Clerk of Parliaments and as Clerk .of the Legislative Council for three years. In 1892 he was appointed to the position of Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod. The honour of the Imperial Service Order was conferred on Mr. Bothamley in 1924.