BIRTHDAY HONOURS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 June 1933, Page 6

BIRTHDAY HONOURS.

The “birthday” honours’ list announced to-day is likely to meet with general approval. It is short, and the honours appear to have been recommended on the ground of public service rendered rather than as rewards for political support. Of the two new knights Colonel S. S. Allen is the better known. His work as Administrator of Western Samoa began at a time when unrest in the mandated Territory bade fair to become serious. Colonel Allen’s policy of patient effort to establish good relations with the Samoans while maintaining the full of the Crown met with a good deal of success and paved the way for the better conditions which now obtain. His term of office contained little that was spectacular, with the exception of one unhappy incident, but it was none the less thorough, and the recognition of its worth will be generally endorsed. Dr. H. T. D. Acland is a well-known Christchurch medical man who did good war service and has been identified with hospital work and administration in Canterbury for many years. Mr. J. S. Barton, who is made a C.M.G., is wellknown for the excellent record he created as Commissioner in charge of municipal affairs at Napier during the period in which recovery from the earthquake disaster was begun. Previously he had held high office in the accountancy and legal professions and had been one of the most respected stipendiary magistrates in the Dominion. A similar honour has been granted to Mr. T. Lindsay Buick, a well-known writer of New Zealand history, and the tribute to the man of letters will be appreciated by those who are desirous of seeing the historian’s work appreciated at its true value. The distinction of 0.8. E. has been awarded to Neakea Nui Tinirau Ariki, of Cook Islands, a loyal supporter of the British administration who has ably supported its efforts in regard to native education and public heajth. Mr. T. B. Strong, the retiring Director of Education, has been awarded the 1.5.0., an honour which is usually regarded as the formal recognition of lengthy public service. Except by those who regard all “honours” as superfluities, the birthday list will be regarded as well chosen, and the rewards it includes as thoroughly well deserved.