AUDIT DEPARTMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7077, 15 March 1910, Page 7

AUDIT DEPARTMENT

—,—.—i EETIEING OFFICERS HONOURED, TWO PRESENTATIONS. The officers of tho Audit Department assembled in the Audit Office, Government Buildings, yesterday, and mode presentations to two retiring officers, Mr J. K. Warburton, late Auditor arid Con-troller-General, and ill' J. B. Heywood, Assistant Controller and Auditor; Oizi behalf of the former gentleman, who was unable to be present, owing to illness. Colonel Collins, the new AuditorUoneraJ, received a valuable silver coffee pot and. tulver. To Mr Heywood, who leaves shortly for England, was given a photograph of tke staff, a cigar case, a sovereign case and a rug. Tho Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, presided. Mr P. P. Webb, chief clerk of the Audit Department, in welcoming the Prime Minister to the gathering, referred to the traditions of tho department, and die high ideals a former Auditor-General jj.r .). ii. r'lUgeruki, set before him in the .administration of the department, and these were followed by Mr Warburton. He hoped that whatever success mar have attended the Audit Office from the-earliest days, some little credit might not be denied to tho .staff who had been associated with tlie : chief during that time. Unfortunately, Sir Wiarburton was confined to his home with an attack of bronchitis, but' they were glad to see Mr Boywood with them. (Applause.) Sir Joseph Ward, in making the presentations, said everyone would reoognnso Uow important it was. to the country to have an independent Audit Department, and to have it impartially administered. Ln this respect, the New Zealand Audit Department was a enininig example. Mir Webb had referred to the singularly able manner in which Mr Fitzgerald had carried out hie work. With him had been Mr J. C. Gavin, both of whom had carried o'ut their duties with the greatest satisfaction to the country. So in. torn Mr Heywood followed in the footsteps, and gave his best service to the State. All would appreciate the splendid work done by Mir Warburton, who, he regretted, was unable to be with them, thai day. He heartily congratulated Colonel Collins, who had worked himself up from the bottom, rung of the ladder to the highest pinnacle it was possible to attain in the Civil Service, and he felt confident that the same independence and high characteristics of his predecessors in the office of the .Auditor-Gen-eral would distinguish the career of Mr; Wanburton's successor. He , could, only . express the hope that Mr Wartrasrtan might have many h»]apy years yet ahead of him, and that relief from responsibilities would restore him to health. Hia long association with Mr Heywood had enabled him to recognise him as a man. of more than ordinary capacity, and one whose work would stand for all time, so far as the Treasury was concerned. It gave him the greatest pleasure to hand over the gifts. (Loud applause). ,'r Mr Heywood, who was warmly re. ceived by the staff, said some kind, friend must have identified himself with his likes. The gifts; were most acceptable, and would remind them of all. He was especially proud of the photograph. He would lie to mention to the young- officers of the Audit Office that each had a Marshal's baton, in his pocket The. great object in official life was to try and do their utmost in. any position they might be placed in» and, more than that, to try and do what their superior officers were doing, to learn everything they knew,- and when the time came, as it generally- did come, they would be in the happy position of, being able to take up the work. - He could truly tell them that that was his motto in life. " Ho fancied it was a very good stand to take up, and must lead to success. He had not been-with them so long as Mr Warburton,- but he could say that Mr War-bu.-toir and himself had worked nost cordially together in doing w'xat.tbey conceived to be their duty. ..Ete hoped that the lihjh standard of excellence set in the. Audit Office in fae past would bar maintained. He thanked them ail for. the kindly expressions, and the gifts accompanying them. (Applause). _ . , , Colonel Collins joined wuthJMx Webb in expressing' regret that Mr Warburton was not present to personally receive the. presentation from the staff.. Ho waa sure Mr Warburton would value .the good feeling which had prompted , the gift, coming as it did. from those with whom he had "been associated bo long. It was always a satisfaction to a man when he retired to have the assurance that he had done his work; thanked the Prime Minister, on behalf of the Audit .staff,- for oomrag there that day to make the " presentation. ;! (Applause). - _ ;