SIR GEORGE FOWLDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22066, 23 September 1933, Page 13

SIR GEORGE FOWLDS

RECOGNITION OF SERVICES CHEQUE FOR £1350 PRESENTED. (Pee United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, September 22. Public testimony to the greatness of the work of Sir George Fowlds for his city and for his country over many years was given at a public meeting held in the Town Hall, when the Mayor (Mr G. W. Hutchison) presented to him a cheque for £13(50 subscribed by the citizens. His Worship reviewed the various public offices Sir George had held since he had been Minister of Education from 1906 to 1911 until he had retired from the presidency of the Auckland College just after the college jubilee this year. Mr Hutchison said he did not think that there was ever a knighthood given that had caused so much universal satisfaction in the community as that conferred on Sir George. It would be difficult to finu in the Dominion a career so filled by public service. The president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce (Mr Harvey Turner) described Sir George as one of New Zealand’s greatest citizens. He had had the pleasure of working with Sir George in many spheres, said Mr W. J. Holdsworth, chairman of the Auckland Electric Power Board. He had been Sir George’s secretary while he was in Parliament. That task had been difficult because Sir George would always insist, on speaking like a statesman and not like a politician. Mr Kenneth Mackenzie, Sir George s successor as president of the_ Auckland University College Council, testified to the greatness of Sir George’s work in that capacity. The Mayor then presented to Sir George the cheque and said that the many unsolicited contributions from _those_ who had not been in direct contact with Sir George was another testimony to the public regard for him. Sir George Fowlds thanked those who had made the gift. He said that a reward had never entered his mind. So far as the flattering things that had, been said, he wished to s&y that he had undertaken public work because the work was there to be done, and because he had believed that he had the capacity to do it. There was reward in the work itself apart from any recognition. If a man was able to satisfy his own conscience that was enough. Sir George referredto his owm changed circumstances, and said that he had had one wish, that whatever should happen he would not have any bitterness of soul. “My prayer has been amply answered, he said. “Looking back down my years of service, I remember nothing but the joy of it. I have no tale of woe to tell. They have been a joy and a pleasure.’