OBITUARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15350, 13 January 1912, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR HUGH POLLEN. (Pzn Unitio I'rf.9« Assocutiom.) WELLINGTON, January 12. The death of Mr Hugh Pollen, sccretary to the Department of Internal Affairs and Clerk of Writs, took place last night. He was a son of the late Hon. Dr Pollen, M.L.C., who was Prime Minister of New Zealand in 1875-76. RECOGNITION OV SERVICE. Sir Joseph Ward to-day sent the following memorandum to all heads of departments :—" It is with deep regret that l have to advise officers of the public ner vice of the death last evening oi Mr Hugh Pollen, Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs. The deceased gentleman during a long period of years lillcd his respon Bible position with conspicuous zeal and ability, and in bis demise the people oi the Dominion have lost a devoted «r vant, and 'the Government and public service a most exemplary officer. 1 have conveyed to Mrs Pollen and her family the sincere sympathy of the Government in the deep bereavement which hiis befallen them." IMUMB MINISTER'S TESTIMONY. In a personal tribute to Mr Pollen, the Prime Minister, speaking to a Pest reporter to-day, said:—" I have known Mr Pollen personally for nearly 25 years, and for a considerable period i Wi i tt Minister iii charge of the department of which he was the head. Throughout Ihe whole of that- time Mr Pollen had a great deal to do with public matters that have boon brought before me. I desire to acknowledge the high qualities he pottcfKod f or carrying out thfaffairs of the important branch of the civil service of which he was the head. Its operations are amongst the most varied in the service, and I can say that a more careful, painstaking, and conscientious man one could not wish to meet. At all times he was most courteous, careful, and judicious, and was entirely without fads. 1,, t ] IC transaction of the business of the department he brought to bear an extensive fund of information, winch t-ave the Minister in charge the greatest possible confidence. Looking back over matters that came before me in his department, I cannot recall one that resulted in anv trouble or difficulty. Tbat demonstrate* in a most practical way the extreme care the late Mr Pollen took at all times in tho work of his department. I heard of his death this morning with the deepest regret. Ilij death was a loss to the'public service and consequently to the countrv." '