TO THE STATES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 134, 8 June 1926, Page 8

TO THE STATES.

MR A. E. FORD SAILS.

WILL STUDY TRANSPORTATION

PROBLEMS

TRAMWAYS MANAGER ' FAREWELLED. ;■ — i Sailing by the Aorangi to-day, Mr. A. I E. Ford, general manager of the Auckland Tramways, has gone to America and the United Kingdom to study their means of transportation. He intends to amass a wide knowledge of passenger transportation in other countries, will collect extensive data and will make an elaborate report to the council when he arirves back in Auckland in about six months' time. Mr. Ford will visit all the principal citiea of the United States and England, and will touch the Continent on his way home. A Fine Tribute. j Yesterday a fine tribute was paid by Mr. M. Cable, general manager of the Wellington City Tramways, who sent a telegram, on behalf of the Wellington , management. It read : — | "I am afraid Auckland citizens do not! realise the great improvements in their! system carried out during the past four

years. In my opinion Mr. Ford hae placed the Auckland undertaking in the foremost position in the Dominion. May • re return renewed in health and with > a wealth of information on transporta- j" tion problems." ! Presentations. The largest gathering of tramway employees ever held in Auckland, eaid "bon voyage" to Mr. Ford at the Auckland Tramways Club, in the Gaunt Street depot last evening. Mr. A. Thompson, chairman of the board, presided. Many warm tributes to his high ■ qualities and to hie splendid capabilities were showered on Mr. Ford during the evening. In all, some nine . speakers praised his efficiency and his capabilities. In responding in a speech full of feeling, Mr. Ford said that anything he had accomplished was due to the co-operation of the whole of the staff of the tramways. [ During the evening a cabin trunk was presented to him on behalf of the gathering. On behalf of the Tratnways Soccer Club, Mr. Farrelly presented Mr. i ' Ford with a case of pipes ar.d'a tobacco ' pouch. i' Yesterday r.oming the head office staff j presented Mr. Ford with a traveling rug, and Mrs. Ford with a set of crystal ware, and ,r r. Ford was the recipient, of an inscribed gold watch from the ', inspectors' staff. j