UNDER-SECRETARY FOR LANDS

Southland Times, Issue 23782, 1 April 1939, Page 8

UNDER-SECRETARY FOR LANDS

APPOINTMENT MADE OF MR R. G. MacMORRAN (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 31. The appointment of Mr R. G. MacMorran as Under-Secretary for Lands in succession to Mr W. Robertson, 1.5.0., was announced today. Mr MacMorran’s former position of Assistant Under-Secretary for Lands has been filled by the appointment of Mr T. Pound, Second Assistant Under-Secret- j ary. The announcement of these two ap- | pointments was the last official act of Mr Robertson, who retired today after 47 years’ service. ' An official farewell was accorded Mr Robertson in the Native Affairs Committee room in Parliament Buildings. The gathering over which the Minister of Lands (the Hon. F. Langstone) presided was attended by the staff of the head office and district office of the department as well as several former officials of the service and representatives of other departments. Mr MacMorran is a son of the late Mr G. MacMorran, who was at one time head master of the Terrace School, Wellington. He joined the Lands and Survey Department as a cadet in 1904 and has served in that department ever since. He was transferred to Auckland as a surveyor in 1908. Mr MacMorran was later in charge of drainage work for five years at Hauraki Plains. He enlisted in 1915 with the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces and on his return from service overseas again took up drainage - work. Mr MacMorran was appointed chief drainage- engineer in 1927 and four years later was appointed chief surveyor of the combined north and south Auckland district as well. In this capacity he took an active part in land development work and in the establishment of the small farms scheme. About a year ago he was appointed Assistant Under-Secretary of Lands and has held that position ever since.