DOMINION REVALUATION BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18995, 17 October 1923, Page 2

DOMINION REVALUATION BOARD.

PERSONNEL COMPLETE

From Oue Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON. October iu. The Dominion Revaluation Board com (diluted under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act passed by Parliament last session has now been made complete bv the appointment of Mr Jonn Gordon, ,i well-known fanner of the Waikato, -s d member of the board. The board now consists of Mr -1. B. Thompson (Undersecretary of Lands, chairman), Mr E. \v. Flanagan (Valuer-general), -Mr K. A. Roger (farmer, of Tapanui), and Mr Gordon. . In making the announcement on ncliatt of (he Minister of Lands, the Hon. R. F. Bollard stated that the board, now that it had been fully set up, would commence tin 1 discharge of its functions under the Act with as little delay as possible. Twenty-three District Revaluation Com inittces had been set up, and forms of application for relief had been issued to a 1 soldier sol Hers some time ago. 'The work of scheduling the applications and preparing the necessary data was being carried cut expeditiously. It was expected (hat. the district committees would commence operations almost, immediately.

MR GORDON’S CAREER. FROM “BLUEY” TO SUCCESS.'' Mr John Gordon has had a most interesting career. The story of his life is an object lesson to the young New Zealanders starting on the land. It Shows how a young man of grit and determination, coupled with hard work and honesty of purpose, can steadily step from the bottom of the ladder to the topmost rung. New Zealand has always offered opportunities to men of courage, ability, and energy, men who overcame difficulties as they arose. They were men who, iu many cases, began humbly, and winning out witn credit gained high and responsible positions. ‘ Among these stalwarts can oe placed Mr John Gordon, who holds to-day in (he field of primary industries and knowledge of land a position equal to any of his contemporaries. He will bring to his new sphere of action an extensive knowledge and sound judgment which must he to the interests of the soldiers on (he land, and the good of the country. Born in Aberdeen, Mr Gordon came to New Zealand in 1830. He landed in Lyttelton on a Saturday eager to tackle any sort of farm work to get a footing in the country. On the following Monday lie had. without aid. secured a job on a farm at Methvon (Canterbury). He worked hard at bis Mnthven job for some time, and became familiar with the conditions of the country. Then for a time the roving spirit for fresh fields and experiences possessed him. He “bumped nis blucy” to Totara (Camara), and took up shearing work. That step proved to he the crowning turn in his career, lor his capabilil ies and hard work wore recognised by the late Mr Thomas Mock, who promptly placed Air Gordon in charge of his large wheat-growing areas at Hakntaramea (North Otago). Later, after a period of a little over four years, Mr Gordon was offered, and accented, the working control of “Newlands.” one of the properties of the New Zealand Loan ami Mercantile Company at Temuka. Subsequently he was selected from a large number of applicants to charge of a property known as “Woodlands" at Tattpiri (Waikato), comprising 87.000 acres. At the time he took over the property was carrying only rO'OO head of cattle and about a similar number of sheep, fn ft very short time “Woodlands,” under Air Gordon’s management, supported 42.000 sheep, 5000 head of cattle, and 200 or 300 horses. The property was later cut un. and the last to buv a piece of it was Air R. M'Callum. cx-M.P. for Wairau. Whilst, at “Woodlands” Air Gordon acquired a farm at Eureka, between Hamilton and Morrinsvillc. which he worked for many years until it was cut up for close set (lenient. In 1909 he purchased a property nearer Hamilton, in which town he at present resides. Though actually engaged ns a practical farmer all his life, and controlling big interests in land and stock, Mr Gordon, besides serving as a member of local bodies, was frequently engaged as a valuer of property both bv banking institutions and by settlers. His knowledge in this direction wjM be equally valuable in the new position for which he has been selected. Two of the institutions for which he made valuations were the Union Bank of Australia and the Auckland Savings Bank. Air Gordon was a member of the KiriUiriroa Road Board for over 20 years, and only give np his active connection as chairman with the board on leaving in 1910 on a visit to the Homeland for a year. He was a member of the Waikato County Council for 10 years, during part of which period he acted as chairman. He also served as a member of school committees and on the Incensing Bench. Another outlet for his untiring energy was in serving ns an assessor in the Assessment and Arbitration Court. Altogether Afr Gordon has had a. most successful career, “I have always had success,” remarked Air Gordon a short time ago, “and this is a countrv in which a young man of cerseveranoe and who is not afraid of hard work can succeed.”