LAND VALUER TO RETIRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 243, 14 October 1939, Page 11

LAND VALUER TO RETIRE

MR. 0. GARDNER, WANGANUI TRIBUTES FROM COURT AND LEGAL PROFESSION. The Government valuer of land in the Wanganui district. Mr. O. Gardner, who finished his work when the Assessment Court, which has been sitting in Wanganui during this week, rose yesterday, is retiring on superannuation. His retirement should have taken place some time ago, but in view of the recent re-valuation of the Wanganui County ajid the lang list of objections which came before the Court, he remained in office to represent the department. He is now on three months’ retiring leave. Yesterday he was farewelled by the Court and members uf the legal profession in Wanganui. Kindness and Courtesy. Mr. A. A. Barton, who represented the Wanganui County Ratepayers’ Association, said that members of the legal profession welcomed the oppoi--1 unity or thanking Mr. Gardner for the kindness and courtesy he had always extended to (hem during the 23 | years he had been valuing in the! Wanganui district. At all times the I speaker had found Mr. Gardner most willing to give every assistance to members of the profession. He worn to a great deal of trouble to supply in formation and the profession was always grateful for his help. Mr. Gardner had always given strict attention ! to duty and was conscientious in his ( work. Mr. Barton wished Mr. Gard- j ner a long and bappy retirement. Mr. Ralph Brown said that the ( members of the legal profession regretted that this would be the last appearance of Mr. Gardner for his department. Mr. Gardner had many special qualifications for the position he occupied, said Mr. Brown. He was an “Aussie” and he was “tough.” For many years he had been farming and , had also been engaged in the flax-’ milling industry'. He was an ex I tremelv valuable man in his work and

was very well informed in economics. | i I Mr. Brown said he would like to bear i , testimony to the unfailing courtesy p and willingness of Mr. Gardner to as-1 sist to tne limit. The Valuation De- (t partinent was losing an extremely i I able servant by his retirement.. 11 Mr. W. Matthews, one of the vatu- 11 ers for the Wanganui County Rate-11 payers’ Association, wished Mr. Gard-11 ner every happiness in the years to 11 come and Mr. L. Pleasants, who had | i been associated with Mr. Gardner in 11 valuing for the Governmnet, added his tribute. Mr. M. B. Hirst, valuer for the Wanganui County Ratepayers' Association, said he was sure Mr. Gard- I ner would still be willing to help in a 1 private capacity when disputes over valuation arose. The chairman of the Assessment Court, Mr. A. A. McLachlan, said that ’ < Mr. Gardner was well quaiiheci for his 1 work, being endowed with physical 1 attainments, combined with logical > outlook on life and a studious mind, - which enabled him to do his work well. He hoped Mr. Gardner would : continue to appear in the Assessment Court for objectors. 2-- ■- «»[£>♦•*■ Keen Athlete in School Days. Mr. H. J. Duigan, County representative in the Court, said he had known Mr. Gardner as a boy and referred to I his prowess in athletics when a pupil lot the Wanganui Collegiate School. His tenacity of purpose and ability . put him in the lead then and he was known in those days as a splendid athlete. Mr. Duigan said he had much to do with Mr. Gardner in valuation work and appreciated his loyalty to his department. He hid always adopted a highly ethical standard, together with fainess of (mind which fitted him well for the (position he occupied. He had had a | very difficult task, but had been most helpful in ever;- way. Mr. Gardner was a Fellow of the Institute of New Zealand Valuers and he felt sure he would undertake private work in valuing. Mr. Duigan hoped that Mr. Gardner would enjoy many years nf happiness. Hohoe.r m fi o k.oc ome hq yjT, j Mr. H. E. Leighton, Government . ■Assessor, said it was many years since he first met Mr. Gardner and had al-1 ways found him willing to give every I

information possible, lie was a man prepared to back up his opinion and was not easily swayed. Mr. Gardner, replying, said that if only half of what had been said was true, he would fee) a very proud man. He had found the members ot the legal profession in Wanganui a fine body of men and if one treated them fairly, one could always expect fair treatment from them. Mr. Gardner said his department had treated him well. Early Association With Department. He had been associated with the department from the time of the passing of the first Valuation of Lands Ad. Before that one often found four or five different valuers valuing the same property. The Act had been introduced by Mr. John McKenzie who decided that the time had arrived to end the original system. The basts of economics depended on the values of land, said Mr. Gardner, and a largeportion ot the flow of money also depended on land values. His father had been one of the first valuers appointed under the new Act and he (Mr. O. Gardner) also had a son in the Valuation Department. Mr. Gardner introduced his successor, Mr. L. N. Fletcher.