MARINE DEPARTMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11663, 30 October 1923, Page 3

MARINE DEPARTMENT

THE NEW SECRETARY PRESENTATION TO MR GEORGE CURBY GODFREY. At tho Public Works Department Office, Government Buildings, yesterday afternoon, the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. J. G. Coates) made, on behalf of the staff, a handsome presentation to Mr George Cur by Godfrey, the Assistant Under-Secretary, who is leaving the department on promotion as Secretary to the Marine Department, in succession to Mr A. J). Park, the new Assistant-Public Service Commissioner. Among those present were Mr F. W. Furkert (chief engineer), and Mr L. Birks (chief electrical engineer). Mr Furkert complimented Mr Godfrey on the good work he had done in the department, and congartulated him upon his appointment as Secretary for Marine. The suggestion that Mr Godfrey should leave the department, hod, said Mr Furkert, come as a bombshell to him. He had never contemplated such a possibility However, the more he thought about it the more he realised that it was not a fair thing that his interests or those of the department should stand in the way of Mr Godfrey's further promotion; and, on his own behalf and that of the department, he wished him every success in his new sphere. (Applause.) In making the presentation, the Qon. J. G. Coates said that the Public Works Department was losing in Mr Godfrey one of the most efficient officers in the departments of State. He said that, not because he had a personal liking for Mr Godfrey, but because he had proved his merits by results; and, after all, it was reeults that were wanted. Mr Godfrey was, in his opinion, a most able and efficient man; though he supposed that the outside public would never realise his worth and the work he had done during tho last few years in carrying out the administrative work of the department, with Mr Furkert as chief, and placing the department in a line' with and exceeding what even its best well-wishers wished for it. (Applause.) They all wished Mr Godfrey every possible success, and he had much pleasure in presenting him, on behalf of tho staff of the Public Works Department, with a pair of R 069 field prismatic binoculars, with independent focussing for each eye and adjustable distance between the eyepieces; also with a handsome silver cigarette-case, both articles being suitably engraved. j At the call of the Minister, three hearty cheers were given for Mr Godfrey, who briefly and feelingly replied. MR GODFREY'S CAREER. Mr Godfrey entered the Public Service in February, 1897, as an employee in Hie Government Printing Office; and joined tho Public Works Department in April. 1901, as private secretary to the then Minister, Sir William Hall-Jonw. When, in May, 1908, tlio latter became High Commissioner at London, Mr Godfrey was appointed assistant chief clerk in the Public Works Department, ami was promoted to chief clerk in February, 1914, and to Asstetant-Umler-Secretary in February, 1920. He served In the Great War from February, 1917, to tho signing of tho Armistice.