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He joined the Department in 1906, then after a period of service transferred to the Law Drafting Office in 1920 as Assistant Law Draftsman, later to return to his original Department as Permanent Head. A recital of official positions held would not illustrate the particular contribution which he made to the work of the Department and the life of the community. Many of the special and unique activities of the Department depend on co-operation with local authorities, outside organizations, and interested individuals. Mr. Heenan's wide range of outside activities and interest in many aspects of our national life provided contacts which were invaluable in ensuring success for the many phases of work and projects which he personally directed. Everything he did was in the grand manner, but no detail was ever overlooked. His vision and imagination as an administrator enabled the Department to enter many fields of purposeful endeavour, and the success achieved in various directions will have a lasting effect on various aspects of our cultural and intellectual life. The variety of subjects in which he was interested and the amount of correspondence involved can only be fully evaluated by the officers who were privileged to serve under him. Possessing a lively interest in all problems and activities of contemporary life, he also had a deep knowledge of the Department's history, and encouraged officers to be ever-mindful of its tradition and the special place it held in relation to the constitutional development of the country. During his term of office, which included the war years, he met or accompanied through New Zealand many of the notable visitors who were the guests of the Government from time to time. His social sense, friendliness, organizing ability, and knowledge of New Zealand made him a perfect travelling companion and host to Prime Ministers,, diplomats, Government officials, newspaper correspondents, and many other overseas visitors. Here was an opportunity for visitors to be introduced to New Zealand through a remarkable personality, and their assessment of our country and the publicity they were able to give on their return was the result of his outstanding public relations work. His retirement affords this opportunity of placing on record the work of a distinguished public servant who administered the diverse activities of the Department with conspicuous success. 11. DEATHS OP DEPARTMENTAL OFFICERS The Department sustained a severe loss when Messrs. F. B. Stephens and J. F. D. Jeune lost their lives in the accident to the aircraft " Kereru " near Waikanae on 18th March, 1949. Both officers were returning from official duties in the Auckland district when the accident happened, and their sudden passing in such tragic circumstances came as a profound shock to their colleagues and friends. Mr. Stephens had been with the Department in various capacities since 1936, and in December, 1948, he was appointed Assistant Under-Secretary of the Department. His work in the field of public administration and local government was outstanding and he was a recognized authority on these matters. Mr. Jeune joined the Department in 1947 as Investigating Officer to the Local Government Commission, although he was well known previously as a local-government administrator. At the time of his death he was Acting-Secretary of the Local Government Commission, having been appointed to replace Mr. Stephens in that position when the latter was appointed as Assistant Under-Secretary. It is with deep regret that the untimely passing of these two valued officers is recorded, and it is desired to place on record a tribute to the splendid and unselfish work performed by both of them in the sphere of public administration and local government.

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