Mr Stocks when at Young was very keen and enthusiastic, and although Town Clerk, took up the work of engineering very seriously. He concentrated on the technical side of the work then comparing his results with Mr Krebs as to the practical side. He went to Suva as Town Clerk, and endeavoured to get Mr Krebs to follow him as engineer. Mr Stocks sent along a lot of papers, from which Mr Krebs gathered that Suva was a rainy place and to be decided to remain at Young. Mr Krebs has always been anxious to help the town's institutions, and he has laid out practically all the tennis courts at Young, including those of the Burrangong Tennis Club. He also laid out the bowling green, and the trotting track on the show ground. In this he followed the example of Mr Dibbs, who was responsible for the laying out of the show ground itself. The first creeper in the mill was also put in by Mr Dibbs and it is in us to this day. When Mr Dibbs left the people turned to Mr Krebs for assistance in these matters, and his fine record of service is well-known.

One of Mr Krebs' last big jobs apart from road works was the taking of levels for the Municipal Baths, and laying them out. Mr Krebs was married at Young in 1887 to Mary Wilson, who died a few years ago. His children are Arthur; a railway carpenter, at Port Kembla; Mrs Eaton Haynes (Annie), of North Sydney, whose husband is a departmental manager at Ways; Mrs F Dorling of Cremorne, whose husband is with Woolfe's butchers Harry of Spring Street; Mrs George Scott (Mary) of Wollongong; and Charles, of Young. There are several grandchildren. Step-brothers of Mr Krebs are William and Arthur, both of New Zealand, and step-sisters are Mrs Alec McFarlane, of Willoughby, whose husband is employed by the North Shore Gas Company; and Mrs Ern Spers of Sydney.

Tribute to the Mr Charles Krebs, overseer of works for the Young Municipal Council after 47 years' service, came from all parts of the room at last night's meeting, when he announced, in a letter, his definite retirement, due to health reasons. Mr Frank Armstrong was appointed overseer in Mr Krebs' place for a trial period of six months. Mr Krebs' letter stated he had to go to Sydney immediately for medical attention. On a former occasion when Mr Krebs offered to resign, the council declined to accept and allowed him to go on extended sick leave. Since then, despite his unsatisfactory health, he has remained with the council by special request. In moving that Mr Krebs' resignation be accepted with regret, Ald. Rintoul referred to the overseer's 47 years service with the council. Mr Krebs has done a wonderful amount of work - there was not a street that did not show evidence of it.

Many of the streets used to be full of diggers' holes, but today those same streets compared more than favourably with any in the state.

The main streets and footpaths were in excellent order. He hoped Mr Krebs would benefit from his medical treatment and that he would long be spared to enjoy his retirement. In seconding, Ald. Bray said "We are losing our best men".

The mayor Ald. CM Western: "I very much regret that through ill health Mr Krebs is severing his connection with the council. Forty-seven years ago, when Mr Krebs first joined our staff, is a very long time. Some of us were not very old when he joined the staff."

The Town Clerk (Mr GE Spark) on behalf of the staff and himself also expressed very deep regret at the severance of a long association. His own acquaintance with Mr Krebs dated back 45 years - 38 of those in municipal service.

The Mayor: "We shall all undoubtedly have a further opportunity of expressing what we feel with regard to Mr Krebs. The motion was carried. Ald. Rintoul moved that Mr Krebs' appointment terminate on 30^th November next. That would allow for the usual four weeks' notice and three weeks leave due.

Mr Krebs, however, would be free to proceed to Sydney immediately. This was also carried. In moving that Mr Armstrong be appointed overseer in Mr Krebs' place for a trial period of six months, Ald. Rintoul said that the former had already filled the position for seven months in an acting capacity, when Mr Krebs was away. He had some intricate work in that time. Mr Armstrong had been with the council for 12 years and he had studied extensively. He was as familiar with the theoretical work as with practical. Ald. Blackett seconded. This was carried.

It was also decided to give Mr Krebs a certificate of service.

Many in the Young district will miss a fine old gentleman in Mr Charles Krebs, who passed away on Saturday.

He had lived with his son and daughter-in-law, Mr and Mrs C Krebs, in Nasmyth Street. Son of the late Mr and Mrs Francis Krebs of Campbelltown, where he was born in 1864, he went to Young at an early age, and joined the band of pioneers who helped to blaze the trail in the little mining settlement that has grown into a big centre.

He married, at Young, Miss Mary Wilson, daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Wilson, of Wambanumba.

His wife died nine years ago.

He leaves three sons and three daughters, Arthur (Lakemba), Harry and Charles (Young). Mesdames Haines (Naremburn), F Durling (Cremorne) and G Scott (Wollongong), and 16 grandchildren.