DUTIES ENDED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27504, 26 September 1950, Page 4

DUTIES ENDED

Town Clerk Retires The Council Chambers last night were thronged with councillors heads of municipal departments and their wives, when during an adjournment of a meeting of the City Council, Mr R. A. Johnston, the retiring town clerk, was given an official farewell. Mr Johnston had nearly 46 years of able service to his credit, stated the Mayor, Sir Donald Cameron, and this would be his last meeting with the council in his official capacity. The council could not let him go without recognising his very valuable services. There were two memorable days in the life of every man—one was the day he Started work and the other was when he retired. Mr Johnston had risen from a junior to the highest position the city had to offer. Sir Donald extended a welcome to the various heads of departments. He regretted the absence of Mr G. T. Edgar, who was in Christchurch. In point of service he would be the oldest employee of the council when Mr Johnston retired. Mr H. H. Horrocks, however, would speak on behalf of the departments. They were parting not only with a town clerk, but also a friend, said Cr Taverner. Personally, his association with Mr Johnston had been a long and happy one. The town clerk had always had a proper approach to all problems, he said. He had a keen® insight and had never failed when a difficulty presented itself. The best tribute to Mr Johnston was a reference to the friendly recollection of all he had done through the years. They all wished Mr and Mrs Jonnston well and that their leisure years would be long and mellow. He wished to' say how much he appreciated the courtesy and guidance he had received from the town clerk, said Mr Horrocks. Mr Johnston had taken part in the development of municipal activities over the years and he had an encyclopaedic knowledge of civic affairs.

The less fortunate part of any retirement, :Mr Horrocks said, was that a great deal of knowledge was’ lost. Each generation, however, had to make its own case and find its own remedies. On behalf of the departments, he wished Mr and Mrs Johnston many happy years of retirement. Cr Wright said the town clerk would be leaving with the goodwill of all.

No one came closer to the town clerk than did the Mayor, no matter who they may be, said Sir Donald. He had had six years and a-half of cooperation from Mr Johnston. He presented Mrs Johnston with a silver entree dish and Mr Johnston with a wristlet watch.

Returning thanks, Mr Johnston said he appreciated the opportunity of saying farewell in the room in which he had served for so many years. The thought that was uppermost in his mind was that he could not have achieved anything without the goodwill of the council.' Mr Johnston reviewed his service with the council since he joined the staff in 1905, when Mr Joseph Braithwaite was Mayor. As one who had seen something of the ward system, Mr Johnston said he did not favour a return to it. It was prone to breed parochialism and late sittings. Abolition had been in the best interests of the city as a whole. • Dealing with the major projects, such as Waipori, electric trams and the city drainage, initiated by early councils, Mr Johnston said they had vision and courage. He was glad to pay a tribute to these men, among whom was Cr Taverner, the present father of the council. Mr Johnston reviewed his association with Mr Lewen and then his own appointment as town clerk in 1937. There had been difficulties in administration during the war period, when there was a shortage of staff, and when many other duties had been superimposed on municipal work. His thanks were due to councillors for their consideration over the years, and also to the Mayor. He was pleased that the council had found his successor from his own staff, Mr Johnston said. He was sure that Mr Lucas would prove admirably suited to the position. Mr Johnston also paid a tribute to Mr F. Grindley for his co-operation.