FORTY YEARS’ SERVICE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19783, 26 April 1934, Page 8

FORTY YEARS’ SERVICE

CUSTOMS OFFICER RETIRES. Mr F. Davis, Chief Inspector of the Customs Department, Wellington, has retired on the completion of 40 years' service. Mr Davies, who was educated at the Auckland Grammar School, joined th 3 Government Service on June 5, 1894, as a cadet in the Treasury, and was transferred to the Customs Department at Auckland on July 1, 1896. After being stationed at Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Wanganui, he was appointed Collector of Customs at Greymouth in 1914, where he remained until 1920. In 1921 he was appointed Collector of Customs at Gisborne, and was stationed at that port until 1924, when he came to the head office at Wellington to take up his duties as Chief Inspector, a position which he held until his retirement. In his younger days Mr Davies was interesting in rowing, yachting, and running. A large gathering of the staff of the Department said farewell to Mr Davies. The Comptroller of Customs (Dr. G. Craig) paid a warm tribute to Mr Davies's service with the Department, making special reference to his outstanding characteristics of tact and judgment in carrying out the onerous duties of Chief Inspector for the Department. He expressed the regret of himself and of the staff of the Department throughout New Zealand at severing their connection with Mr Davies and their good wishes for the future health and happiness of Me and Mrs Davies. Messages of good wishes to Mr Dav s from officers throughout New Zealand were read. On behalf of the officers of the Department, Dr Craig presented Mr Davies with a wireless set and a telescope as a token of the officers’ regard lor him.