MECHANIC RETIRES AFTER 56 YEARS WITH "THE PRESS"

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28397, 2 October 1957, Page 5

MECHANIC RETIRES AFTER 56 YEARS WITH "THE PRESS"

The retirement, after 56 years’ service as a linotype mechanic, of Mr R. H. (Chips) Agassiz is the removal of but a link in the chain o the Agassiz family association with “The Press.” Two of his brothers worked for “The Press” before he joined the staff in 1901. a son has been a linotype operator for 17 years, and two nephews are also on the staff. | When Chips Agassiz was met: by his colleagues of “The Press” yesterday and made a presentation on his retirement, round the| “stone” were his brother. Mr I Lewis Agassiz (who joined in 1892’ and worked for the newspaper tori 47 years before he retired), his! son. Mr Roland Agassiz, and his two nephews. Mr lan' Lester) (who has been in the company’s! employ for 31 years) and Mr Frank Agassiz (who has been on, the reading room staff for 20! years). Another brother. Mr R. E.! (Dolph) Agassiz, joined in 1900 and died in 1950. All depart-!

■ ments were represented to pay a i tribute to a skilled mechanic and I the friendliest of colleagues. I -j A wonderful record by Mr; 1 Agassiz of loyal service to “Theji _ Press” had ended, said the; s Father of the Chapel (Mr W. H. ; Cull). For the greater part of j his service with the company Mr . Agassiz had been in charge of ■ the linotypes and in the difficult l periods of two world wars, when i staffs were short and replacement 1 parts difficult to obtain, he had

kept the machines running. He had seen the development of the linotype to the automatic type—“lt does everything except tell the operator what it really thinks of him”—and the latest installation of a machine which could be used for teletypesetting. Mr Agassiz had watched the progress of the paper, with its

expansion in size, contraction during World War 11, and its expansion again since the war. and changing format and type faces, said Mr Cull. His self-effacing work on the social side had developed close association between the newsroom and the literary department, to the benefit of the company, itself. Joining in 'good wishes for a long retirement, the advertising manager (Mr F. H. Walls) recalled the unusual Agassiz family association with “The Press.” Mr Agassiz had contributed much to the office’s sporting activities in the earlier days. As a mechanic, he had had few equals. A notable service was when “The Press” transferred from its Cashel street premises to its new offices in Cathedral square. After the publishing of the “Evening News’’ on Saturday afternoon, all the machinery was dismantled and reassembled in the new offices to print “The

Press” on Monday. The service of Mr Agassiz had been faithfully given. The work of Mr Agassiz had ensured the publication of “The Press” always on time, said the assistant editor (Mr F. J. A. Fox). The manager (Mr A. J. Sandom) apologised tor the absence of the chairman of directors (Mr J. H. Rhodes), who is in the North Island. He said the directors had expressed their sincere appreciation of Mr Agassiz's work.

e The staff presentation of a firein side chair and a wallet was made - by Mr Sandom. 1 Appreciation of the co-operation s of his workmates throughout the - office was expressed by Mr i Agassiz in his reply. He said he had always endeavoured to do his s best for everyone, and for new s operatori in particular.