MARINE INSPECTOR RETIRES

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 56, 9 April 1929, Page 2

MARINE INSPECTOR RETIRES

Per Press Association.

FAREWELL TO AIIL W. CULLEN. RECORD OF FIXE SERVICE.

WELLINGTON, Last night. Tliere was a large and representative gatliering of the staff of the Marine epartment to-day, to bid farewell to Mr Wiliam C'ullen, chief inspector of machinery, chief surveyor of ships, and chief examiner cf engineers, who has retired after 25 years' service with the department. The Minister of Marine, tho II on. G. J. Cohbe, presided. Mr G. C. Godfrey. Secretary of Marine, said tliey had assemhled to honour one of the very finest men of the service. The best testimony he coiild give regarding the value of his service to the department was that Ylr C'ullen had rcmained on duty for three years over the retiring age at the speaker's requcst. Mr Cullen was a man of very strong character, anl there was no more loyal servant cf the department. He was leaving tlie public service with a fine record of good v, ork, liigh dignity and unquestioned integrity, and all wished him and Mrs Cullen every happiness. Tlie Minister of Marine said that oi all the interesting things said of Tvlr Cullen. tlie most important fact was that he originally came from ScotLand, a country that exported rrntny useful people and things — theologians, bankers, whisky and marine engineers. IMr Cullen was a first-class engineer and lie had filled many appoiutments very efficiently. He had learned his business in Glasgow and had worthily upheld liis profession in tlie service of the Union Steam Sliip Company from 1883 ti'l D>35, during oue of thcse years being chief engineer. He had joined tlie Marine Department's service as inspector of inachinery and had risen to the highest position he eould attain n tliat service, in which he had gained tlie esteem and conficlence of all. He ivas a man of the highest integrity and ability_ In handing Mr Cullen a well-filled wallet of banknotes on hehalf of the staff of tlie Marine Department, Ihe Minister wished him and Mrs C'ullen every possible hapjiiness in the future. Speaking with great pin-iioii, Mr Cullen rcturned thanks to all.