No_4_1956 — Page 67

Before making the presentation

John Skinner Retires Forbes said:

Mr. W. J. Skinner, Chief Quantity Sur- Government Architectural veyor of the Office,

was given a presentation on the 15th February, 1957 by his colleagues in the Architectural Office on the eve of his departure on leave prior to retirement.

Mr. Surveyor in the Department, and, in the post-war building boom, his services proved of great value to the Architectural office.

"Mr. Skinner was born in 1902, and in 1918 he started his career as a quantity surveyor when he entered for training in "In 1952 he was promoted to the post the office of Messrs. Selby and Sanders, of Senior Quantity Surveyor, which he London, one of the largest firms of quan- still holds, and it is of interest to note that tity surveyors in the United Kingdom. He the staff under him now consists of five has therefore followed the profession for quantity surveyors and five quantity sur- nearly 40 years although you wouldn't veyor assistants, Mr. Skinner's earlier work think so to look at him!

having proved the value of having speci- alists to deal with the financial and legal operation of contracts.

"Until 1937 he worked in London. at one time with the Air Ministry and then again with a private London firm, Messrs. Frederick Saunders, where he had had wide experience which well qualified him for the position he now holds here.

"I think it is worthy of mention that Mr. Skinner has been responsible for the supervision of the re-writing of the Con-

ditions of Contract for Government Build- ing Contracts, of a Schedule of Prices for "He became an Associate Member of Maintenance, Alterations and Additions to Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Government Buildings, and of a general in 1936, and then in 1947 he was elected specification for all building works under He has also super-

a Fellow of the Institution, the highest Government control,

rank which can be held.

and

vised the letting and running of all con- tracts in connection with grant-in-aid and subsidised schools for the Education De- partment. The work involved in this has increased greatly in recent years.

"In 1937 he decided to come to Hong Kong as local manager for the firm of Messrs. Waters

Watson, Quantity Surveyors, but in 1938 he decided that

"In 1948 he was appointed by His Ex- Government Service offered better pros cellency the Governor to be a member of Public Works Department and was duly again his knowledge was of great value tc pects, and he applied for a position in the the Building Costs Committee, and here appointed Quantity Surveyor. He, like that Committee. The Hon. J. Forbes, Acting Director of terned in the civilian internment camp at many others of the P.W.D. staff, was in-

"In 1953 the local branch of the Royal Public Works, made the presentation Stanley, but fortunately survived the war Institution of Chartered Surveyors elected which consisted of ว radio receiving set and resumed duty in the P.W.D. in 1945. him Chairman as a tribute to his ability and a valedictory letter.

At that time he was the only Quantity and popularity."

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