TELEGRAPH CHIEF.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 77, 31 March 1928, Page 12

TELEGRAPH CHIEF.

AUCKLAND PRESENTATION. MR. J. M. WILLIAMS RETIRES CHANGES IN THE SERVICE.

At 2 p.m. yesterday the usual burr of the Murray multiplex machines and the clicking of the numerous quadruplex, duplex and simplex Morse telegraph machines, ceased with dramatic suddenness in order that the telegraph staff could bid farewell to their chief, Mr. J. M. Williams, who is retiring after over 40 years' service, the last eight years of which was spent in the Auckland Telegraph Office as superintendent.

In making the presentation, Mr. R. M. Doull, senior supervisor, referred briefly to Mr. Williams' long and faithful service, most of which h..d been spent in the Auckland and Wellington telegraph offices. Continuing, Mr. Doull stated: "Although Mr. Williams was always a stern disciplinarian, he bad always acted in a scrupulously fair manner, both with regard to his staff and to the Department." Mr. Doull presented Mr. Williams, on behalf of the staff, with an oak bookcase and a book.

Mr. Williams, in responding, stated that it was with the deepest regret that he was leaving the Auckland office with its large and highly-efficient staff to enter into a well-earned rest. He regretted that the vacancy caused by his retirement would not mean that some other fellow would step in and fill the gap, but owing to the Department's reorganisation scheme the position had been abolished and the administration of the Auckland oflice would now function under the Chief Postmaster.

Mr. Doull then introduced the new head of the telegraph office - , Mr. Wm. J. Gow, chief postmaster, Auckland.

Mr. Gow expressed his pleasure at being present, and stated that the Secretary of the Department, Mr. G. W. McNamara, apologised for his inability to say farewell to Mr. Williams, but he was at present unable to leave Wellington owing to work entailed with the reorganisation of the telegraph side of the Department. Mr. Gow spoke of the good relations that had always existed between Mr. Williams and his branch, and briefly referred to the Department's policy of bringing the telegraph under the administration of the Chief Postmaster's, Department. The change was no doubt brought by the falling off of the telegraph revenue due to the use of telephone tolls for commercial and private communications. Although the abolition of the post was regretted, be was only concerned with the future, and he felt sure he would always receive the same loyal support as their retiring chief, Mr. J. M. Williams.

Cheers were given for Mr. Williams, and the telegraphists then resumed their duties.