FORMER WANGANUI PUPIL APPOINTED TO POSITION IN CANBERRA

Wanganui Chronicle, 1 February 1950, Page 4

FORMER WANGANUI PUPIL APPOINTED TO POSITION IN CANBERRA

A former pupil of the Wanganui Technical College, Mr. R. L. Hutchens, 8.A., LL.B., who is attached to the Department of External Affairs, will leave Wellington; in the Wanganella tomorrow to take up the position of official secretary to the High Commissioner of New Zealand in Canberra. The position was left vacant when Miss Jean McKenzie was appointed iTew Zealand Charge d’Affaires in Paris.

Mr. Hutchens was a pupil of the college from 1927 until 1932 and in 1933 remained at the college as a student teacher. He later attended Victoria University, where he gained both his degrees. Mr. Hutchens played a prominent part in the musical life of the University .being mainly responsible for the production of the “Extravaganzas.” Prior to the outbreak of World War II he was on the staff of the Statistics Department, Wellington. During the war he saw service with the army in the Middle East and Italy, gaining the rank of lieutenantcolonel. Mr. Hutchens has always taken a keen interest in military affairs and gained his commission while at college. He was mentioned in despatches while serving overseas. He is a son of Mr. Will Hutchens, formerly a teacher of music in Wanganui, and the late Mrs. Hutchens. Mr. Will Hittchens is now a member of Station 3YA, Christchurch.