REGISTRAR OF PENSIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3972, 29 April 1930, Page 6

REGISTRAR OF PENSIONS.

RETIREMENT OF MR T. P. GILFEDDER.

WELLINGTON, April 23. On account of indifferent health and fter 30 years’ public service Mr T. I’, ulfedder has retired from the position >f Registrar of Pensions at Wellington n office which he has held since 1923. Mr Gilfedder was born at Invercargill nd received his 'education at St. Mary’s Jatholic Boys’ School. He is a son of >ne of Southland’s early settlers, tlu ate Mr Peter Gilfedder, J.P., of One Tree Point, and a brother of Judge Gilfedder. of the Native Land Court, nid formerly M.P. for Wallace. Follow ing the law, at an early age Mr Gil .'odder became managing clerk for five ■ears to an Invercargill firm of barristers and solicitors, and for a time had charge of the law library, but relinquished the position to engage ip journalism. Leading a busy life be was identified with local affairs, social, educational and political matters receiving special attention. He was organiser of the Southland Athletic Association, secretary of the Irish Athletic Society, promoter and first secretary on the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union, conductor of professional championships at the Christchurch Exhibition in 19061907 and sports commissioner at the Auckland Exhibition in 1913-14. He also organised the Northern Athletic Union in the Auckland province, was president for 12 years, and acted as editor of the “Athletic Calendar” for 10 years. He was chairman of the Athletic Appeal Board, and although the union had 115. clubs in the prime days of its existence there was not one appeal lodged against his decisions during the period—no doubt a record. While residing in Wellington in 19031904 Mr Gilfedder was a prominent member of the Oddfellows Lodge, Manchester Unity. Some time after the formation of the Auckland Public Service Association he became president, holding the position for three years until his removal to Wellington. During the war period Mr Gilfedder always took a keen interest in scientific matters and was a member of several overseas associations for the advancement of science. In 1908 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society on the nomination of Mr Percy Smith, ex-Surveyor-general of New Zealand, and Mr Joseph Brooks, F.R.A.S., Government astronomer, Adelaide. He was a Fellow of the National Geographic Society of America and a corresponding member of the Zoological Society of New York, the only other Britisher holding similar office at that time being Sir Henry Johnston. Whilst in the public service Mr Gilfedder has been stationed at Invercargill, Dunedin, Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington, and has worked for several departments, including the Government Life Insurance, \ aluation, Defence and Pensions. Prior to coming here seven years ago he was Registrar of Pensions at Auckland and formerly at Christchurch. Mr Gilfedder passed the solicitors’ examination inany years ago but never practised. On relinquishing duty he was the recipient of several presents from departmental officers, and before leaving for the north was entertained at dinner by personal friends.