LANDS AND SURVEY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8736, 19 May 1914, Page 3

LANDS AND SURVEY

MR STRAUCHON’S RETIREMENT PRESENTATION BY DEPARTMENTAL COMRADES. There was a large gathering of officers of the Lands and Survey Department at Godbor's tea-rooms last evening, to hid farewell to Mr J. Strauchon, 1.5.0., who has just retired from Uio Under-Secretaryship of the department. It was a gathering full of interesting references to and recollections with the past history of the Dominion. The Minister for Lands (the Right Hon. AW E. Massey) was present, and Air James Mackenzie, the present Undersecretary, presided. In opening the proceedings, Mr Mackenzie referred to the long service of -Mr Strauchon to the department, and recalled tho names of 'many old officers connected with. the department, amongst whom were Mr J. AlcKerrow.

Tho Right Hon. Mr Massey then presented Air Strauchon with a number of handsome gifts, amongst which were several magnificent pieces of plate, a roller-top desk and chair and a set of bowls. All the gifts were suitably inscribed. In doing so, Air Alassoy said that Air Strauchon had been an officer of tho Lands and Survey Department for fifty-three years—a. department which ho regarded as the most important one in the State. (Applause.) Air Strauchon had done a great deal of work for the Dc minion, and he (Air Alassey) could refer to the personal help ho had received from their guest. AA’hen his Government took office in 1912, ho assumed charge of the department without previous administrative experience. Mr Strauchon had given him very valuable help—help which aided tho department to put up a record. (Applause.) Air Massey concluded by wishing Mr Strauchon every success, and hoped that his service to the country would not end, with his retirement from the department. (Applause.) Flattering reference to Air Strauchon’s career was also made by Air H. AI. Skeet (Commissioner of Crown Lands Auckland), who presented Air Straucuon with a handsome and unique walking-stick from tho Auckland officers of tho department. Mr F. O’Neill (Assistant-Dnder-Secretary) and Mr C. R. Pollen (Canterbury) also made complimentary speeches. AIR STRAUCHON REPLIES.

In responding, Mr Strauchon, Who was most heartily recoiled, referred to the many old servants who were there gathered together. Ho would lose his head if ho were a vain man, after all the flattering remarks that had been made about him. If ho had been of assistance to Mr Massey, it had been through the help he (Mr Stnauchon) had received from the officers of the department’s branches. Ho did not know why the officers should have gone to such expense in procuring for him all the beautiful things they had. It made tho regret all the worse at retiring from the department. Mr Strauchon, speaking with evident feeling, again heartily thanked tho officers, and asked Mr Sheet to convey his thanks also to the Auckland officers.

Tho toast of “ Parliament ” was proposed by Mr J. McKerrow, and replied to by the Prime Minister. Mr Massey said that he believed that when tho present Parliament came to an end, it would bo said that the 1911 Parliament had done more for the country than any previous Parliament. (Applause.) “ THE MOST IMPORTANT DEPARTMENT.”

In proposing the toast of the “Lands and Survey Department.” Mr Massey reiterated his opinion that this department was the most important of all the departments. It was easy to see why. The prosperity of this country depended on its primary industries, and to find land for the settlers was the duty of the department. Even when the settlers got there, the department’s work was not finished. They sent men out from the department to look after the stock and to encourage and assist the settlers-. The primary industries fell hack upph the department for their commencement, and the work of settlement now was more laborious as far as the department was concerned. Subdivision had to take place, and the day was now gone when they could depend on Crown land for settlement purposes’. He had just returned from a trip to that part of the country of which Gisborne was the centre. He bad found—not much to his surprise, ho must confess—that .there was a great demand for land for settlement. Deputation after deputation had waited upon him on the subject. They had to recognise that the prosperity of the country depended upon settlement, and he was going to do his utmost to find the land for settlers. During the past eighteen months he and Mr Strauchon had worked the officers of the department very hard in’ this respect, and the officers, he was glad to say, bad responded loyally. (Applause.) Mr Mackenzie replied to the toast, recalling the names of many officers of the department who had worked for many years for the Dominion.

A number of pleasing musical items were given, and a unique departmental gathering closed with warm wishes lor the guest of the evening.