RETIRING RANGITIKEI COUNTY ENGINEER RECEIVES TRIBUTES

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 May 1947, Page 4

RETIRING RANGITIKEI COUNTY ENGINEER RECEIVES TRIBUTES

Tributes on behalf of the Main Highways Board and the New Zealand Counties’ Association were paid yesterday, when Mr. S. A. R. Mair, retiring Rangitikei County engineer, attended the annual meeting in Wanganui of the No. 8 District Highways Council. Mr. Mair’s record is almost unique in New Zealand civil engineering. He has served in his profession for 60 years, his association with the Rangitikei County dating back to the end o£ the last century. The president of the New Zealand Counties' Association, Mr. W. G. Belton, who Is also chairman of the Patea County, said Mr. Mair had a very fine record of service to counties not only in this district, but also in other parts of the Dominion. He was retiring with the goodwill of all who had been associated with him. “Mr. Mair has left his mark on the engineering profession,” Mr. Belton added. “For many years he served on the engineers' Registration Board and he has succeeded in his profession through his own initiative and energy. We wish Mr. and Mrs Mair a long and happy retirement.” 'the chairman of the No. 8 District Highways Council, Mr. G. W. Sampson, said that when he came to the Wanganui district 14 years ago Mr. Mair gave him a warm welcome and all the Help possible. “Our association has always been very pleasant, and I regret very much losing my connection with him,” Mr. Sampson added. Speaking on behalf of the Main Highways Board, Mr. W. Morrison (Maxwell), who is also chairman of the Waitotara County, said Mr. Mair had been of considerable service to the board, which placed much reliance on his opinions. The board looked to county engineers for advice because these men were so familiar with local conditions. “Making this break is one of tile hardest things that I have ever had to face up to in life,” said Mr. Mair, thanking the speakers for the tributes paid him. ”1 have enjoyed every minute or my association with the Rangitikei County.” Almost 60 years ago he had started work in his caieer, and in 1899 he joined the staff ol the Rangitikei County. Subsequently, he was appointed engineer to this large county at a time when it was on the threshold of most interesting and important development. Later, he had served on the Engineers' Registration Board, the Local Government Loans Board and the New Zealand Counties’ Association. He still represented the association on the New Zealand Standards Institute. “I don’t look forward to retirement, because 1 feel that I am breaking witl. my old friends, but I do look back with the greatest pleasure to my service with the Rangitikei County and the contacts I made,” Mr. Mair added. Recalling the early days when he was required to tour the county on horseback, Mr. Mair said he was often away from home for two weeks at a time, covering ground which could now be travelled over in one day by car. Often he would arrive at a settler's home, late at night and covered in mud, but no matter what the circumstances he always received a very warm welcome. “I owe much to the ratepayers in Rangitikei for the courtesy extended to me and the abundant hospitality,” Mr. Mair added. “In those early days I felt that I could not carry out my duties without them.” Mr. Mair also introduced his successor, Mr. Murray Reid, and commented that he would be a worthy engineer. He had already served his country nobly.