OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25230, 8 July 1947, Page 5

OBITUARY

MR J. MARCHBANKS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 7. Mr James Marchbanks, a former engineer and general manager of e the Wellington Harbour Board, has died at the age of 85 years. Mr Marchbanks, who was born at Dunedin, received much of his engineering education at Otago University, and in 1878 joined the Public Works Department. While with the Public Service he continued his engineering studies, and in 1883

he passed a surveyor’s examination. Later he was made a member of the Institute of Civil Engineers. After serving v“ ith the Public Works Department until 1890, during which time much of his work was in connexion with railway construction, Mr Marchbanks was appointed assistant engineer to the Manawatu Railway Company. In 1897 he assumed full chrrge of the company’s line. When the Government took over the line, Mr Marchbanks was appointed to the staff of the Wellington Harbour Board as engineer, taking office in May. 1909. In 1919 he was appointed general manager of the board, from which position he resigned in 1932. In the same year he was awarded the C.M.G. Mr Marchbanks served on many important commissions, including the last Railway Commission, early in the ’3o’s, in company with Messrs R. Masters, R. W. McVilly and J. Hall. He was also a member of the Auckland Harbour Board Commission, and a member of the commission which in 1921 reported on railway facilities for Palmerston North.