MR R. B. TENNENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22277, 1 June 1934, Page 5

MR R. B. TENNENT

TRIBUTE TO SERVICES RECOGNITION BY FARMERS’ UNION Farmers from all parts of Otago took the opportunity at the annual conference of the Otago Farmers’ Union to extend their good wishes to Mr R, 13. Tcnncnt (fields superintendent, of the Department of Agriculture in Otago and Southland), who has been appointed director of the fields division. Several speakers referred in glowing terms to the sterling service which Mr Tenncnt had rendered the province as a whole through his expert advice and wise guidance. A presentation was made on behalf of the union, and Mr Tonnent was given a rousing and enthusiastic reception when he rose to reply. Tn moving the resolution Mr E. H. Murnoy (Tapanui) said that Mr Tenhent’s services had been greatly appreciated by farmers. He never spared himself and had proved himself a very approachable officer. In fact, he was less a departmental officer than a’friend and the fanning community regarded his departure with a good deal of regret. He Would carry away with him the best wishes of farmers in every part of the Xirovince. Mr A. Craig (Greenfield) said Mr Tenncnt had shown himself to be anything but a figurehead. Ho had achieved

a great deal foil farmers in Otago, and the speaker knew of many cases in which carrying capacity ; had been doubled as a result of Mr Tennent’s advice and guidance. Mr F. Waite said Mr Tennent was not an ordinary civil servant. He was no “ nine-to-five ” 1 man, and he would be sorely missed in Otago. It was the earnest hope of all who had come into contact with him that in his new sphere he would find new scope for his undoubted abilities and eventually rise to still higher things. In -the past he had shown that he was the sort of a man who did everything thoroughly, and there was no question that his duties in future would be well and truly carried out. Mr J.’ Ritchie (Bannockburn) referred to Mr Tennent’s wide knowledge .uni great energy, particularly with respect to Central Otago, where he was widely known and esteemed. Mr A. C. Cameron spoke of the great assistance Mr Tennent had rendered to the Farmers’ Union, and also of his work in the development of the Young Farmers’ Club movement. The president (Mr M. A. . Kinney) then presented Mr Tennent with a-;silver tea service as a mark of the esteem in which he was held by farmers all over Otago. On behalf of the union he wished Mr Tennent prosperity and success-in his new sphere. ‘ Mr Tennent, in reply, thanked the members of the conference for the handsome present they had given him. He was very sorry to be leaving Otago. During his 14 years in the district he had made a large number of friends, and his association with the farmers of Otago had been greatly assisted by the Otago Provincial Council, of the Farmers’ Union. One of the first things he had done on arriving in Dunedin from Australia was to get in touch with the Farmers’ Union, and he would never forget the great assistance that had been given him by Mr Stuart Cameron. and Mr Fred Waite. Later on a fundamental.change took place in departmental policy in carrying out ■ experimental work on experimental farms. The new policy was to carry out experiments on farmers’ property, and they had received every cooperation from the farmers. Mr Tennent also paid a tribute to the enthusiastic work of Mr Alexander Cameron, who had given the department evory assistance. and co-operation he could. He had been privileged to accept hospitality in the homes of most of those present, and it was with considerable regret that he was leaving them. However, the one bright spot in his future position was that he would be moving over New Zealand,' and he could assure, them that his visits to Otago would far outnumber those to other parts of New Zealand. He deeply appreciated everything they had done in the past and thanked them for the co-operation they had given the department.