PUBLIC WORKS

Southland Times, Issue 21856, 5 November 1932, Page 5

PUBLIC WORKS

NEW CHIEF ENGINEER APPOINTED. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, November 4. It was announced to-day by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. J. G. Coates, that Mr C. J. McKenzie, assistant engineer in chief of the Public Works Department, had been appointed to succeed Mr F. W. Furkert, the retiring Under-Secretary and in-Chief.-The announcement was made during the afternoon when the head office staff of the department, together with Ministers, former Ministers of the Crown and also representatives of outside district offices and administrative officers of other departments assembled to bid farewell to Mr Furkert. Mr Coates, on •behalf of the staff throughout the Dominion, presented Mr Furkert with a grandfather clock, a pocket wallet, a fountain pen and a propelling pencil. Mr Coates paid an eloquent tribute to Mr Furkert’s services. Mr McKenzie. • who presided over the assembly, was warmly applauded by those present and congratulated by various speakers. "Mr McKenzie’s position will be that of Under-Secretary of Public Works. In addition he will meantime carry out the duties of Engineer-in-Chief. It is understood this appointment has been made in accordance with the recommendation of the National Expenditure Commission that future heads of departments should be chosen on account of their administrative ability as distinct from their professional capacity.