Public Relations Officer Appointed

The appointment was made recently of Mr David Clarke to the position of Public Relations Officer for Gisborne. Mr Clarke is seen above immediately after his appointment with the president of Greater Gisborne Inc., Mr Hugh Bodle.

Mr Clarke was selected from 50 applicants, three of whom were brought to Gisborne for personal interview. A New Zealander, he was educated in Wellington, and from 1944 to 1950 he was on the staff of the N.Z. Manufacturers' Federation. He was appointed assistant to the board of directors of the Service Federation of New Zealand Industries in 1951. In 1953 he formed his own company, Clarke Agencies. A Rotarian, he is a member of Upper Hutt Rotary Club, is president of the Upper Hutt Marching Association, and is connected with a number of other organisations in that locality. Aged 36, he is married with three children.

Mr Clarke is Gisborne's first P. R. O. As such he will have to pioneer the duties of this office here. In this he will have the active backing of Greater Gisborne Inc., an organisation set up to advance Gisborne's progress. It is hoped that the great majority of the citizens will get behind the organisation and its chief officer in the drive to attract new industry, develop the district's undoubted potential, and publicise its many attractions.

Mr Clarke's wide knowledge of manufacturing problems and administration should be a decided asset to Gisborne in opening up new avenues of employment for our growing army of young people. His work in this sphere can be of the greatest importance. These matters will demand much of his time, and it is to be hoped that too much will not need to be wasted on such things as reconciling sectional interests, or (as has sometimes been the case elsewhere) organising fund-raising efforts to secure his own salary.