RETIRING AGE IN JULY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 97, 27 April 1939, Page 6

RETIRING AGE IN JULY

TOWN CLERK OF WANGANUI INTIMATION TO THE COUNCIL Mr. G. Murch, who has been town clerk of Wanganui for the past 34 years, will reach the retiring age next July. He advised the council of this in a letter read to the meeting las.l night, and asked for instructions as tc what to do. “I wish to advise you that on July 15 next, I shall reach the age when the council can, if it so desires, require me to retire from the service under the provisions of the National Provident Superannuation Fund scheme,” Mr. Murch’s letter stated. "I should be glad if the council would consider the matte# and advise whether it requires me to retire on superannuation on that date.” The council decided to refer the matter to the Finance Committee for report. Opinions expressed by councillors suggested that Mr. Murch should be retained in office, at least, until after the Centenary celebrations. Mr. Murch began work as a clerk with the late Mr. Freeman Jackson in January, 1900. At that time the Wanganui Gas Company was in existence and Mr. Jackson was its secretary. Mr. Murch took over the clerical work of the company and, in 1900, when Mr. Jackson died, was appointee secretary. In 1902 the company wa taken over by the then Borough Council of Wanganui. Mr. Murch handled the negotiations necessary to determine the price at which the company’s assets were to be taken over and when the transaction was finished he was appointed borough clerk in charge of the gas department. On October 1, 1905, on the death of Mr. George Smithies, who was town clerk and also gas manager, Mr. Murch was appointed town clerk. He

has held that position ever since an.i to-day has unrivalled knowledge ol the finances of the city and of local history. He has been 37 years in the employ of the council, 34 as town clerk. He was town clerk when the Wanganui East Borough was mergea with the city in 1912, and when the town boards of Gonville and Casllccliff were merged in 1924, resulting in the raising of Wanganui to the status of a city. Mr. H. C. Field was the original town clerk, holding office in the days when Wanganui was managed by a town board. Mr. G. Brooking succeeded him and it was during his term of office that the borough was formed. Mr. Brooking was succeeded by Mr. James Purnell, father of the present Mayor of Marton, and then came Mr. G. Smithies, who was succeeded by Mr. Murch. Mr. A. Hatrick was Mayor when Mr. Murch first took office and the successive Mayors were. Messrs. A. G. Bignell, C. E. Mackay, E. N. Lifliton, T. B. Williams, Hope Gibbons, N. G. Armstrong and W. J. Rogers. When the Wanganui Fire Board was formed in November, 1918, Mr. Murch was appointed secretary and has held i office ever since.